Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Hefanciedhimselftobefiredwiththepurblind,mistakenheroismoftheanarchist,hurlinghisvictimtodestructionwithfullknowledgethatthecatastropheshallsweephimalsointothevortexitcreates.

           Buthisconstitutionalirresolutenessobstructedhispathcontinually;brain-sick,weakofwill,emotional,timideven,hetemporised,procrastinated,brooded;cametodecisionsinthedarkhoursofthenight,onlytoabandontheminthemorning.

           OnceonlyhehadACTED.Andatthismoment,ashewascarriedthroughthewindy,squalidstreets,hetrembledattheremembranceofit.Thehorrorof“whatmighthavebeen”incompatiblewiththevengeancewhoseministerhefanciedhewas,oppressedhim.Thesceneperpetuallyreconstructeditselfinhisimagination.Hesawhimselfundertheshadeoftheencompassingtreesandshrubbery,creepingonhisbellytowardthehouse,inthesuburbsofBonneville,watchinghischances,seizingopportunities,spyinguponthelightedwindowswheretheraisedcurtainsaffordedaviewoftheinterior.Thenhadcometheappearanceintheglareofthegasofthefigureofthemanforwhomhewaited.Hesawhimselfriseandrunforward.HerememberedthefeelandweightinhishandofCaraher’sbomb—thesixinchesofpluggedgaspipe.Hisupraisedarmshotforward.Therewasashiverofsmashedwindow-panes,then—avoid—aredwhirlofconfusion,theairrent,thegroundrocking,himselfflungheadlong,flungoffthespinningcircumferenceofthingsoutintoaplaceofterrorandvacancyanddarkness.