Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V.
Before,aswellasbehindhim,theroadswerenowblocked.Oncemorehethoughtofthemountains.HeresolvedtoabandontheengineandmakeanotherfinalattempttogetintotheshelterofthehillsinthenorthernmostcornerofQuienSabe.Hesethisteeth.Hewouldnotgivein.Therewasonemorefightleftinhimyet.Nowtotrythefinalhope.
Heslowedtheenginedown,and,reloadinghisrevolver,jumpedfromtheplatformtotheroad.Helookedabouthim,listening.Allaroundhimwidenedanoceanofwheat.Therewasnooneinsight.
Thereleasedengine,alone,unattended,drewslowlyawayfromhim,joltingponderouslyovertherailjoints.Ashewatcheditgo,acertainindefinitesenseofabandonment,eveninthatmoment,cameoverDyke.Hislastfriend,thatalsohadbeenhisfirst,wasleavinghim.Herememberedthatday,longago,whenhehadopenedthethrottleofhisfirstmachine.To-day,itwasleavinghimalone,hislastfriendturningagainsthim.SlowlyitwasgoingbacktowardsBonneville,totheshopsoftheRailroad,thecampoftheenemy,thatenemythathadruinedhimandwreckedhim.Forthelasttimeinhislife,hehadbeentheengineer.Now,oncemore,hebecamethehighwayman,theoutlawagainstwhomallhandswereraised,thefugitiveskulkinginthemountains,listeningforthecryofdogs.
Buthewouldnotgivein.Theyhadnotbrokenhimyet.Never,whilehecouldfight,wouldheallowS.Behrmanthetriumphofhiscapture.
Hefoundhiswoundwasnotbad.
