Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter IX
Theharvester,shootingacolumnofthicksmokestraightupward,vibratingtothetopofthestack,hissed,clanked,andlurchedforward.Instantly,motionsprangtolifeinallitscomponentparts;theheaderknives,cuttingathirty-sixfootswath,gnashedliketeeth;beltingsslidandmovedlikesmoothflowingstreams;theseparatorwhirred,theagitatorjarredandcrashed;cylinders,augers,fans,seedersandelevators,drapersandchaff-carriersclattered,rumbled,buzzed,andclanged.Thesteamhissedandrasped;thegroundreverberatedahollownote,andthethousandsuponthousandsofwheatstalksslicedandslashedintheclashingshearsoftheheader,rattledlikedryrushesinahurricane,astheyfellinward,andwerecaughtupbyanendlessbelt,todisappearintothebowelsofthevastbrutethatdevouredthem.
Itwasthatandnoless.Itwasthefeedingofsomeprodigiousmonster,insatiable,withironteeth,gnashingandthreshingintothefieldsofstandingwheat;devouringalways,neverglutted,neversatiated,swallowinganentireharvest,snarlingandslobberinginawelterofwarmvapour,acridsmoke,andblinding,pungentcloudsofchaff.Itmovedbelly-deepinthestandinggrain,ahippopotamus,half-miredinriverooze,gorgingrushes,snorting,sweating;adinosaurwallowingthroughthick,hotgrasses,flounderingthere,crouching,grovellingthereasitsvastjawscrushedandtore,anditsenormousgulletswallowed,incessant,ravenous,andinordinate.
S.
