Алая чума
Chapter 4
OnegroupofworkingmenIsaw,ofthebettersort,whohadbandedtogether,and,withtheirwomenandchildrenintheirmidst,thesickandagedinlittersandbeingcarried,andwithanumberofhorsespullingatruck-loadofprovisions,theywerefightingtheirwayoutofthecity. Theymadeafinespectacleastheycamedownthestreetthroughthedriftingsmoke,thoughtheynearlyshotmewhenIfirstappearedintheirpath. Astheywentby,oneoftheirleadersshoutedouttomeinapologeticexplanation. Hesaidtheywerekillingtherobbersandlootersonsight,andthattheyhadthusbandedtogetherastheonly-meansbywhichtoescapetheprowlers.
“ItwasherethatIsawforthefirsttimewhatIwassoontoseesooften. Oneofthemarchingmenhadsuddenlyshowntheunmistakablemarkoftheplague. Immediatelythoseabouthimdrewaway,andhe,withoutaremonstrance,steppedoutofhisplacetoletthempasson. Awoman,mostprobablyhiswife,attemptedtofollowhim. Shewasleadingalittleboybythehand. Butthehusbandcommandedhersternlytogoon,whileotherslaidhandsonherandrestrainedherfromfollowinghim. ThisIsaw,andIsawthemanalso,withhisscarletblazeofface,stepintoadoorwayontheoppositesideofthestreet. Iheardthereportofhispistol,andsawhimsinklifelesstotheground.
