20 лучших повестей на английском / 20 Best Short Novels

With a sigh of relief, Ferrier looked to right and to left, until, happening to glance straight down at his own feet, he saw to his astonishment a man lying flat upon his face upon the ground, with arms and legs all asprawl.

So unnerved was he at the sight that he leaned up against the wall with his hand to his throat to stifle his inclination to call out. His first thought was that the prostrate figure was that of some wounded or dying man, but as he watched it he saw it writhe along the ground and into the hall with the rapidity and noiselessness of a serpent.

Once within the house the man sprang to his feet, closed the door, and revealed to the astonished farmer the fierce face and resolute expression of Jefferson Hope.

�Good God!’ gasped John Ferrier. �How you scared me! Whatever made you come in like that?’

�Give me food,’ the other said, hoarsely. �I have had no time for bit or sup for eight-and-forty hours.’ He flung himself upon the cold meat and bread which were still lying upon the table from his host’s supper, and devoured it voraciously.

�Does Lucy bear up well?’ he asked, when he had satisfied his hunger.

�Yes. She does not know the danger,’ her father answered.

�That is well. The house is watched on every side. That is why I crawled my way up to it. They may be darned sharp, but they’re not quite sharp enough to catch a Washoe[135 - Washoe – a North American Indian tribe; traditionally, the Washoe were hunters and fishers; they lived around Lake Tahoe in what is now California] hunter.

’

John Ferrier felt a different man now that he realized that he had a devoted ally. He seized the young man’s leathery hand and wrung it cordially. �You’re a man to be proud of,’ he said. �There are not many who would come to share our danger and our troubles.’

�You’ve hit it there, pard,’ the young hunter answered. �I have a respect for you, but if you were alone in this business I’d think twice before I put my head into such a hornet’s nest.

It’s Lucy that brings me here, and before harm comes on her I guess there will be one less o’ the Hope family in Utah.’

�What are we to do?’

�To-morrow is your last day, and unless you act to-night you are lost. I have a mule and two horses waiting in the Eagle Ravine. How much money have you?’

�Two thousand dollars in gold, and five in notes.’

�That will do. I have as much more to add to it.