Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
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TheseploughsMagnusDerrickhadorderedfromanEasternmanufacturersomemonthsbefore,sincehewasdissatisfiedwiththeresultsobtainedfromtheoneshehadusedhitherto,whichwereoflocalmake.However,therehadbeenexasperatingandunexpecteddelaysintheirshipment.MagnusandHarranbothhadcounteduponhavingtheploughsintheirimplementbarnsthatveryweek,butatracersentafterthemhadonlyresultedinlocatingthem,stillenroute,somewherebetweenTheNeedlesandBakersfield.Nowtherewaslikelihoodofrainwithintheweek.Ploughingcouldbeundertakenimmediatelyafterward,sosoonasthegroundwassoftened,buttherewasafairchancethattheranchwouldlieidleforwantofpropermachinery.
ItwastenminutesbeforetraintimewhenHarranreachedthedepotatGuadalajara.TheSanFranciscopapersoftheprecedingdayhadarrivedonanearliertrain.Heboughtacouplefromthestationagentandlookedthemovertilladistantandprolongedwhistleannouncedtheapproachofthedowntrain.
Inoneofthefourpassengersthatalightedfromthetrain,herecognisedhisfather.Hehalfroseinhisseat,whistlingshrillybetweenhisteeth,wavinghishand,andMagnusDerrick,catchingsightofhim,cameforwardquickly.
Magnus—theGovernor—wasallofsixfeettall,andthoughnowwelltowardhissixtiethyear,wasaserectasanofficerofcavalry.Hewasbroadinproportion,afinecommandingfigure,imposinganimmediaterespect,impressingonewithasenseofgravity,ofdignityandacertainprideofrace.
