Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter VI
“Hecan’tgothroughhere.Wedon’twanthimtotakeanynewsontothemarshalandS.Behrman.”
“I’llturnhimback,”saidPresley.
Herodeouttowardsthemarketcart,andtheothers,watchingfromtheroadinfrontofHooven’s,sawhimhaltit.Anexcitedinterviewfollowed.TheycouldhearthePortugueseexpostulatingvolubly,butintheendheturnedback.
“MartiallawonLosMuertos,isn’tit?”observedOsterman.“Steadyall,”heexclaimedasheturnedabout,“herecomesHarran.”
Harranrodeupatagallop.Theotherssurroundedhim.
“Isawthem,”hecried.“Theyarecomingthisway.S.BehrmanandRugglesareinatwo-horsebuggy.Alltheothersareonhorseback.Thereareelevenofthem.ChristianandDelaneyarewiththem.Thosetwohaverifles.IleftHoovenwatchingthem.”
“BettercallinGethingsandCutterrightaway,”saidAnnixter.“We’llneedallourmen.”
“I’llcallthemin,”Presleyvolunteeredatonce.“CanIhavethebuckskin?Myponyisaboutdoneup.”
Hedepartedatabriskgallop,butonthewaymetGethingsandCutterreturning.They,too,fromtheirelevatedposition,hadobservedthemarshal’spartyleavingGuadalajarabytheLowerRoad.PresleytoldthemofthedecisionoftheLeaguersnottofireuntilfiredupon.
“Allright,”saidGethings.“Butifitcomestoagun-fight,thatmeansit’sallupwithatleastoneofus.Delaneynevermisseshisman.”
WhentheyreachedHooven’sagain,theyfoundthattheLeaguershadalreadytakentheirpositionintheditch.Theplankbridgeacrossithadbeentornup.
