Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Agreatironchuteconnectedthishatchwiththeelevator,andthroughitwasrushingaveritablecataractofwheat.

           Itcamefromsomegiganticbinwithintheelevatoritself,rushingdowntheconfinesofthechutetoplungeintotheroomy,gloomyinterioroftheholdwithanincessant,metallicroar,persistent,steady,inevitable.Nomenwereinsight.Theplacewasdeserted.Nohumanagencyseemedtobebackofthemovementofthewheat.Rather,thegrainseemedimpelledwithaforceofitsown,aresistless,hugeforce,eager,vivid,impatientforthesea.

           S.Behrmanstoodwatching,hisearsdeafenedwiththeroarofthehardgrainsagainstthemetallicliningofthechute.Heputhishandonceintotherushingtide,andthecontactraspedthefleshofhisfingersandlikeanundertowdrewhishandafteritinitsimpetuousdash.

           Cautiouslyhepeereddownintothehold.Amustyodourrosetohisnostrils,thevigorous,pungentaromaoftherawcereal.Itwasdark.Hecouldseenothing;butallaboutandovertheopeningofthehatchtheairwasfullofafine,impalpabledustthatblindedtheeyesandchokedthethroatandnostrils.

           Ashiseyesbecameusedtotheshadowsofthecavernbelowhim,hebegantodistinguishthegreymassofthewheat,agreatexpanse,almostliquidinitstexture,which,asthecataractfromaboveplungedintoit,movedandshiftedinlong,sloweddies.Ashestoodthere,thiscataractonasuddenincreasedinvolume.Heturnedabout,castinghiseyesupwardtowardtheelevatortodiscoverthecause.Hisfootcaughtinacoilofrope,andhefellheadforemostintothehold.