Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Theybalancedthemselvesuponthelowerstrandsofthebarbedwirefenceintheirefforttoseeovereachothers’shoulders;theystoodontheseatsoftheircarts,buggies,andfarmwagons,afewevenuponthesaddlesoftheirridinghorses.Theycrowded,pushed,struggled,surgedforwardandbackwithoutknowingwhy,convergingincessantlyuponHooven’shouse.

           When,atlength,Presleygottothegate,hefoundacarry-alldrawnupbeforeit.Betweenthegateandthedoorofthehousealanehadbeenformed,andashepausedthereamoment,agroupofLeaguers,amongwhomwereGarnettandGethings,cameslowlyfromthedoorcarryingoldBrodersonintheirarms.Thedoctor,bareheadedandinhisshirtsleeves,squintinginthesunlight,attendedthem,repeatingateverystep:

           “Slow,slow,takeiteasy,gentlemen.”

           OldBrodersonwasunconscious.Hisfacewasnotpale,nobandagescouldbeseen.Withinfiniteprecautions,themenborehimtothecarry-allanddepositedhimonthebackseat;therainflapswereletdownononesidetoshutoffthegazeofthemultitude.

           Butatthispointamomentofconfusionensued.Presley,becauseofhalfadozenpeoplewhostoodinhisway,couldnotseewhatwasgoingon.Therewereexclamations,hurriedmovements.Thedoctorutteredasharpcommandandamanranbacktothehousereturningontheinstantwiththedoctor’ssatchel.Bythistime,Presleywasclosetothewheelsofthecarry-allandcouldseethedoctorinsidethevehiclebendingoveroldBroderson.

           “Hereitis,hereitis,”exclaimedthemanwhohadbeensenttothehouse.