Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V
Therehadbeensomethingsoslinking,somean,inthemovementsandmannerofthisgreat,burlyhonestfellowofanengineer,thathecouldnothelpbutfeelashamedforhim.CircumstancesweresuchthatasimplebusinesstransactionwastoDykealmostculpable,adegradation,athingtobeconcealed.
“BorrowingmoneyofS.Behrman,”commentedAnnixter,“mortgagingyourlittlehomesteadtotherailroad,puttingyourneckinthehalter.Poorfool!Thepityofit.GoodLord,yourhopsmustpayyoubig,now,oldman.”
AnnixterlunchedattheYosemiteHotel,andthenlateron,towardthemiddleoftheafternoon,rodeoutofthetownatacanterbythewayoftheUpperRoadthatparalleledtherailroadtracksandthatrandiametricallystraightbetweenBonnevilleandGuadalajara.Abouthalf-waybetweenthetwoplacesheovertookFatherSarriatrudgingbacktoSanJuan,hislongcassockpowderedwithdust.Hehadawickercrateinonehand,andintheother,inasmallsquarevalise,thematerialsfortheHolySacrament.Sinceearlymorningthepriesthadcoverednearlyfifteenmilesonfoot,inordertoadministerExtremeUnctiontoamoribundgood-for-nothing,agreaser,halfIndian,halfPortuguese,wholivedinaremotecornerofOsterman’sstockrange,attheheadofacanonthere.ButhehadreturnedbywayofBonnevilletogetacratethathadcomeforhimfromSanDiego.Hehadbeennotifiedofitsarrivalthedaybefore.
Annixterpulledupandpassedthetimeofdaywiththepriest.
“Idon’toftengetupyourway,”hesaid,slowingdownhishorsetoaccommodateSarria’sdeliberateplodding.
