Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Themapwaswhite,anditseemedasifallthecolourwhichshouldhavegonetovivifythevariouscounties,towns,andcitiesmarkeduponithadbeenabsorbedbythathuge,sprawlingorganism,withitsruddyarteriesconvergingtoacentralpoint.ItwasasthoughtheStatehadbeensuckedwhiteandcolourless,andagainstthispallidbackgroundtheredarteriesofthemonsterstoodout,swollenwithlife-blood,reachingouttoinfinity,gorgedtobursting;anexcrescence,agiganticparasitefatteninguponthelife-bloodofanentirecommonwealth.

           However,inanuppercornerofthemapappearedthenamesofthethreenewcommissioners:JonesMcNishforthefirstdistrict,LymanDerrickforthesecond,andJamesDarrellforthethird.

           NominatedintheDemocraticStateconventioninthefalloftheprecedingyear,Lyman,backedbythecoteriesofSanFranciscobossesinthepayofhisfather’spoliticalcommitteeofranchers,hadbeenelectedtogetherwithDarrell,thecandidateofthePuebloandMojaveroad,andMcNish,theavowedcandidateofthePacificandSouthwestern.DarrellwasrabidlyagainsttheP.andS.W.,McNishrabidlyforit.Lymanwassupposedtobetheconservativememberoftheboard,theranchers’candidate,itwastrue,andfaithfultotheirinterests,butacalmman,deliberative,swayedbynosuchviolentemotionsashiscolleagues.

           Osterman’sdexterityhadatlastsucceededinentanglingMagnusinextricablyinthenewpolitics.ThefamousLeague,organisedintheheatofpassionthenightofAnnixter’sbarndance,hadbeenconsolidatedallthroughthewintermonths.