Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Alreadytheballotingwasinprogress,OstermanactingastemporarychairmanontheveryfirstballothewasmadesecretaryoftheLeagueprotem.,andMagnusunanimouslychosenforitsPresident.Anexecutivecommitteewasformed,whichwastomeetthenextdayattheLosMuertosranchhouse.

           Itwashalf-pastoneo’clock.Inthebarnoutsidethegreaternumberoftheguestshaddeparted.Longsincethemusicianshaddisappeared.Thereonlyremainedthefamiliesoftheranchownersinvolvedinthemeetingintheharnessroom.Thesehuddledinisolatedgroupsincornersofthegarish,echoingbarn,thewomenintheirwraps,theyoungmenwiththeircoatcollarsturnedupagainstthedraughtsthatoncemoremadethemselvesfelt.

           Foralonghalfhourtheloudhumofeagerconversationcontinuedtoissuefrombehindthedooroftheharnessroom.Then,atlength,therewasaprolongedscrapingofchairs.Thesessionwasover.Themencameoutingroups,searchingfortheirfamilies.

           Atoncethehomewardmovementbegan.Everyonewaswornout.Someoftheranchers’daughtershadgonetosleepagainsttheirmothers’shoulders.

           Billy,thestableman,andhisassistantwereawakened,andtheteamswerehitchedup.Thestableyardwasfullofamazeofswinginglanternsandbuggylamps.Thehorsesfretted,champingthebits;thecarry-allscreakedwiththestrainingofleatherandspringsastheyreceivedtheirloads.Ateveryinstantoneheardtherattleofwheelsasvehicleaftervehicledisappearedinthenight.

           Afine,drizzlingrainwasfalling,andthelampsbegantoshowdiminavaguehazeoforangelight.