20 лучших повестей на английском / 20 Best Short Novels

This was evidently no ordinary party of immigrants, but rather some nomad people who had been compelled from stress of circumstances to seek themselves a new country. There rose through the clear air a confused clattering and rumbling from this great mass of humanity, with the creaking of wheels and the neighing of horses. Loud as it was, it was not sufficient to rouse the two tired wayfarers above them.

At the head of the column there rode a score or more of grave, iron-faced men, clad in sombre home-spun garments and armed with rifles.

On reaching the base of the bluff they halted, and held a short council among themselves. �The wells are to the right, my brothers,’ said one, a hard-lipped clean-shaven man with grizzly hair.

�To the right of the Sierra Blanco – so we shall reach the Rio Grande[116 - the Rio Grande – the river in North America; it forms the border between Texas and Mexico. The river starts in the Rocky Mountains and flows to the Gulf of Mexico],’ said another.

�Fear not for water,’ cried a third.

�He who could draw it from the rocks will not now abandon His own chosen people.’

�Amen! amen!’ responded the whole party.

They were about to resume their journey when one of the youngest and keenest-eyed uttered an exclamation and pointed up at the rugged crag above them. From its summit there fluttered a little wisp of pink, showing up hard and bright against the grey rocks behind. At the sight there was a general reining up of horses and unslinging of guns, while fresh horsemen came galloping up to reinforce the vanguard.

The word �Redskins’ was on every lip.

�There can’t be any number of Injuns[117 - Injuns = Indians] here,’ said the elderly man who appeared to be in command. �We have passed the Pawnees, and there are no other tribes until we cross the great mountains.’

�Shall I go forward and see, Brother Stangerson,’ asked one of the band.

�And I,’ �and I,’ cried a dozen voices.

�Leave your horses below and we will await you here,’ the elder answered. In a moment the young fellows had dismounted, fastened their horses, and were ascending the precipitous slope which led up to the object which had excited their curiosity. They advanced rapidly and noiselessly, with the confidence and dexterity of practised scouts. The watchers from the plain below could see them flit from rock to rock until their figures stood out against the skyline.