Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Conclusion
”
AndasPresleyissuedfromthebuildingandsteppedoutintothestreet,hewasabruptlyawareofagreatwagonshroudedinwhitecloth,insideofwhichabassdrumwasbeingfuriouslybeaten.Onthecloth,ingreatletters,werethewords:
“VoteforLymanDerrick,RegularRepublicanNomineeforGovernorofCalifornia.”
The“Swanhilda”liftedandrolledslowly,majesticallyonthegroundswellofthePacific,thewaterhissingandboilingunderherforefoot,hercordagevibratinganddroninginthesteadyrushofthetradewinds.Itwasdrawingtowardseveningandherlightshadjustbeenset.ThemasterpassedPresley,whowasleaningovertherailsmokingacigarette,andpausedlongenoughtoremark:
“Thelandyonder,ifyoucanmakeitout,isPointGordo,andifyouweretodrawalinefromourpositionnowthroughthatpointandcarryitonaboutahundredmilesfurther,itwouldjustaboutcrossTulareCountynotveryfarfromwhereyouusedtolive.”
“Isee,”answeredPresley,“Isee.Thanks.Iamgladtoknowthat.”
Themasterpassedon,andPresley,goinguptothequarterdeck,lookedlongandearnestlyatthefaintlineofmountainsthatshowedvagueandbluishabovethewasteoftumblingwater.
ThosewerethemountainsoftheCoastrangeandbeyondthemwaswhatoncehadbeenhishome.Bonnevillewasthere,andGuadalajaraandLosMuertosandQuienSabe,theMissionofSanJuan,theSeedranch,Annixter’sdesolatedhomeandDyke’sruinedhop-fields.
Well,itwasallovernow,thatterribledramathroughwhichhehadlived.
