Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V.
Hehadhadnotimetoformulateaplansincethatmorning,when,torturedwiththirst,hehadventurednearthespringattheheadwatersofBrodersonCreek,onQuienSabe,andhadallbutfallenintothehandsofthepossethathadbeenwatchingforthatverymove.ItwasuselessnowtoregretthathehadtriedtofoilpursuitbyturningbackonhistrackstoregainthemountainseastofBonneville.NowDelaneywasalmostonhim.Todistancethatposse,wastheonlythingtobethoughtofnow.Itwasnolongeraquestionofhidingtillpursuitshouldflag;theyhaddrivenhimoutfromtheshelterofthemountains,downintothispopulouscountryside,whereanenemymightbemetwithateveryturnoftheroad.Nowitwaslifeordeath.Hewouldeitherescapeorbekilled.Heknewverywellthathewouldneverallowhimselftobetakenalive.Buthehadnomindtobekilled—toturnandfight—tillescapewasblocked.Hisonethoughtwastoleavepursuitbehind.
WeeksofflighthadsharpenedDyke’severysense.AsheturnedintotheUpperRoadbeyondGuadalajara,hesawthethreemengallopingdownfromDerrick’sstockrange,makingfortheroadaheadofhim.Theywouldcuthimoffthere.Heswungthebuckskinabout.HemusttaketheLowerRoadacrossLosMuertosfromGuadalajara,andhemustreachitbeforeDelaney’sdogsandposse.Backhegalloped,thebuckskinmeasuringherlengthwitheveryleap.Oncemorethestationcameinsight.Risinginhisstirrups,helookedacrossthefieldsinthedirectionoftheLowerRoad.Therewasacloudofdustthere.
