Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Hewasitschief,andhisdefectionmightmeanitsdisintegrationattheverytimewhenitneededallitsstrengthtofightthelandcases.Morethanameredealinbadpoliticswasinvolved.Therewasthelandgrab.Hiswithdrawalfromanunholycausewouldmeantheweakening,perhapsthecollapse,ofanothercausethathebelievedtoberighteousastruthitself.Hewashopelesslycaughtinthemesh.WrongseemedindissolublyknittedintothetextureofRight.Hewasblinded,dizzied,overwhelmed,caughtinthecurrentofevents,andhurriedalongheknewnotwhere.Heresignedhimself.

           Intheend,andaftermuchostentatiousoppositiononthepartoftherailroadheelers,Lymanwasnominatedandsubsequentlyelected.

           WhenthisconsummationwasreachedMagnus,Osterman,Broderson,andAnnixterstaredateachother.Theirwildesthopeshadnotdaredtofixthemselvesuponsoeasyavictoryasthis.Itwasnotbelievablethatthecorporationwouldallowitselftobefooledsoeasily,wouldrushopen-eyedintothetrap.Howhadithappened?

           Osterman,however,threwhishatintotheairwithwildwhoopsofdelight.OldBrodersonpermittedhimselfafeeblecheer.EvenMagnusbeamedsatisfaction.TheothermembersoftheLeague,presentatthetime,shookhandsallaroundandspokeofopeningafewbottlesonthestrengthoftheoccasion.Annixteralonewasrecalcitrant.

           “It’stooeasy,”hedeclared.“No,I’mnotsatisfied.Where’sShelgriminallthis?Whydon’theshowhishand,damnhissoul?Thethingisyellow,Itellyou.There’sabigfishinthesewaterssomewheres.