Этюд в багровых тонах

           Downthedustyhighroadsdefiledlongstreamsofheavily-ladenmules,allheadingtothewest,forthegoldfeverhadbrokenoutinCalifornia,andtheOverlandRoutelaythroughtheCityoftheElect. There,too,weredrovesofsheepandbullockscominginfromtheoutlyingpasturelands,andtrainsoftiredimmigrants,menandhorsesequallywearyoftheirinterminablejourney. Throughallthismotleyassemblage,threadingherwaywiththeskillofanaccomplishedrider,theregallopedLucyFerrier,herfairfaceflushedwiththeexerciseandherlongchestnuthairfloatingoutbehindher. ShehadacommissionfromherfatherintheCity,andwasdashinginasshehaddonemanyatimebefore,withallthefearlessnessofyouth,thinkingonlyofhertaskandhowitwastobeperformed. Thetravel-stainedadventurersgazedafterherinastonishment,andeventheunemotionalIndians,journeyinginwiththeirpelties,relaxedtheiraccustomedstoicismastheymarvelledatthebeautyofthepale-facedmaiden. 

           Shehadreachedtheoutskirtsofthecitywhenshefoundtheroadblockedbyagreatdroveofcattle,drivenbyahalf-dozenwild-lookingherdsmenfromtheplains. Inherimpatiencesheendeavouredtopassthisobstaclebypushingherhorseintowhatappearedtobeagap. Scarcelyhadshegotfairlyintoit,however,beforethebeastsclosedinbehindher,andshefoundherselfcompletelyimbeddedinthemovingstreamoffierce-eyed,long-hornedbullocks.