Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Delaneyhadarrayedhimselfwithpainfulelaboration,determinedtolookthepart,bentuponcreatingtheimpression,resolvedthathisappearanceatleastshouldjustifyhisreputationofbeing“bad.”Nothingwaslacking—neitherthecampaignhatwithupturnedbrim,northedottedbluehandkerchiefknottedbehindtheneck,northeheavygauntletsstitchedwithred,nor—thisaboveall—thebear-skin“chaparejos,”thehairtrousersofthemountaincowboy,thepistolholsterlowonthethigh.Butforthemomentthisholsterwasempty,andinhisrighthand,thehammeratfullcock,thechamberloaded,thepuncherflourishedhisteaser,anarmyColt’s,thelamplightdullyreflectedinthedarkbluesteel.

           Inasecondoftimethedancewasabedlam.Themusiciansstoppedwithadiscord,andthemiddleofthecrowdedfloorbareditselfinstantly.Itwaslikesandblownfromoffarock;thethrongofguests,carriedbyanimpulsethatwasnottoberesisted,borebackagainstthesidesofthebarn,overturningchairs,trippinguponeachother,fallingdown,scramblingtotheirfeetagain,steppingoveroneanother,gettingbehindeachother,divingunderchairs,flatteningthemselvesagainstthewall—awild,clamouringpell-mell,blind,deaf,panic-stricken;aconfusedtangleofwavingarms,tornmuslin,crushedflowers,palefaces,tangledlegs,thatsweptinalldirectionsbackfromthecentreofthefloor,leavingAnnixterandHilma,alone,deserted,theirarmsabouteachother,facetofacewithDelaney,madwithalcohol,burstingwithrememberedinsult,bentonevil,recklessofresults.