Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V.
Butcloseuponthebayofthehounds,camethegallopofhorses.Fivemen,theireyesuponthehounds,theirriflesacrosstheirpommels,theirhorsesreekingandblackwithsweat,sweptbyinastormofdust,glintinghoofs,andstreamingmanes.
“ThatwasDelaney’sgang,”exclaimedAnnixter.“Isawhim.”
“TheotherwasthatchapChristian,”saidVacca,“S.Behrman’scousin.Hehadtwodeputieswithhim;andthechapinthewhiteslouchhatwasthesherifffromVisalia.”
“BytheLord,theyaren’tfarbehind,”declaredAnnixter.
AsthementurnedtowardsthehouseagaintheysawHilmaandMrs.Dykeinthedoorwayofthelittlehousewherethelatterlived.Theywerelookingout,bewildered,ignorantofwhathadhappened.ButontheporchoftheRanchhouseitself,alone,forgottenintheexcitement,Sidney—thelittletad—stood,withpalefaceandserious,wide-openeyes.Shehadseeneverything,andhadunderstood.Shesaidnothing.Herheadinclinedtowardstheroadway,shelistenedtothefaintanddistantbayingofthedogs.
DykethunderedacrosstherailwaytracksbythedepotatGuadalajaranotfiveminutesaheadofhispursuers.Luckseemedtohavedesertedhim.Thestation,usuallysoquiet,wasnowoccupiedbythecrewofafreighttrainthatlayonthedowntrack;whileontheupline,nearathandandheadedinthesamedirection,wasadetachedlocomotive,whoseengineerandfiremanrecognizedhim,hewassure,asthebuckskinleapedacrosstherails.
