Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           AschemeputforwardbyOstermanforaconferencewiththerailroadmanagersfellthroughbecauseoftherefusalofthecompanytotreatwiththeranchersuponanyotherbasisthanthatofthenewgrading.ItwasimpossibletolearnwhetherornotthecompanyconsideredLosMuertos,QuienSabe,andtheranchesaroundBonnevillecoveredbythetestcasesthenonappeal.

           MeanwhiletherewasnodecreaseintheexcitementthatDyke’shold-uphadsetlooseoverallthecounty.Dayafterdayitwastheonetopicofconversation,atstreetcorners,atcross-roads,overdinnertables,inoffice,bank,andstore.S.Behrmanplacardedthetownwithanoticeof$500.00rewardfortheex-engineer’scapture,deadoralive,andtheexpresscompanysupplementedthisbyanotherofferofanequalamount.Thecountrywasthickwithpartiesofhorsemen,armedwithriflesandrevolvers,recruitedfromVisalia,Goshen,andthefewrailroadsympathisersaroundBonnevilleandGuadlajara.Oneafteranotherofthesereturned,empty-handed,coveredwithdustandmud,theirhorsesexhausted,tobemetandpassedbyfreshpossesstartingouttocontinuethepursuit.ThesheriffofSantaClaraCountysentdownhisbloodhoundsfromSanJose—small,harmless-lookingdogs,withaterrificbay—tohelpinthechase.ReportersfromtheSanFranciscopapersappeared,interviewingeveryone,sometimesevenaccompanyingthesearchingbands.