Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V.
Themenleanedfromthecabstowardseachother,franticwithexcitement,shoutingcurses,theenginesrocking,thesteamroaring;confusionwhirlinginthescenelikethewhirlofawitch’sdance,thewhitecloudsofsteam,theblackeddiesfromthesmokestack,thebluewreathsfromthehotmouthsofrevolvers,swirlingtogetherinablindingmazeofvapour,spinningaroundthem,dazingthem,dizzyingthem,whiletheheadrangwithhideousclamourandthebodytwitchedandtrembledwiththeleapandjarofthetumultofmachinery.
Roaring,clamouring,reekingwiththesmellofpowderandhotoil,spittingdeath,resistless,huge,furious,anabruptvisionofchaos,faces,rage-distorted,peeringthroughsmoke,handsgrippingoutwardfromsuddendarkness,prehensile,malevolent;terribleasthunder,swiftaslightning,thetwoenginesmetandpassed.
“He’shit,”criedDelaney.“IknowIhithim.Hecan’tgofarnow.Afterhimagain.Hewon’tdaregothroughBonneville.”
Itwastrue.Dykehadstoodbetweencabandtenderthroughoutalltheduel,exposed,reckless,thinkingonlyofattackandnotofdefence,andabulletfromoneofthepistolshadgrazedhiship.Howseriouswasthewoundhedidnotknow,buthehadnothoughtofgivingup.HetorebackthroughthedepotatGuadalajarainastormofbullets,and,clingingtothebrokenwindowledgeofhiscab,wascarriedtowardsBonneville,onovertheLongTrestleandBrodersonCreekandthroughtheopencountrybetweenthetworanchesofLosMuertosandQuienSabe.
ButtogoontoBonnevillemeantcertaindeath.
