Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           cut,”theruinofDyke,theseizureofQuienSabe,themurderofHarran,theassassinationofAnnixter!

           ItwasinsuchmoodthathereachedCaraher’s.Thesaloon-keeperhadjustopenedhisplaceandwasstandinginhisdoorway,smokinghispipe.Presleydismountedandwentinandthetwohadalongtalk.

           When,threehourslater,PresleycameoutofthesaloonandrodeontowardsBonneville,hisfacewasverypale,hislipsshuttight,resolute,determined.Hismannerwasthatofamanwhosemindismadeup.ThehourforthemassmeetingattheOperaHousehadbeensetforoneo’clock,butlongbeforenoonthestreetinfrontofthebuildingand,infact,allthestreetsinitsvicinity,werepackedfromsidetosidewithashifting,struggling,surging,andexcitedmultitude.Therewerefewwomeninthethrong,buthardlyasinglemaleinhabitantofeitherBonnevilleorGuadalajarawasabsent.MenhadevencomefromVisaliaandPixley.ItwasnolongerthecrowdofcuriosityseekersthathadthrongedaroundHooven’splacebytheirrigatingditch;thePeoplewerenolongerconfused,bewildered.Afullrealisationofjustwhathadbeendonethedaybeforewasclearnowinthemindsofall.Businesswassuspended;nearlyallthestoreswereclosed.SinceearlymorningthemembersoftheLeaguehadputinanappearanceandrodefrompointtopoint,theirriflesacrosstheirsaddlepommels.Then,byteno’clock,thestreetshadbeguntofillup,thegroupsonthecornersgrewandmergedintooneanother;pedestrians,unabletofindroomonthesidewalks,tooktothestreets.