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Harte, Bret, 1836-1902

"Drift from Two Shores"

The
gentleman was young, thin, with the family characteristics, but
otherwise indistinctive.
With one accord they all faced directly toward the spot indicated
by the driver's whip. Nothing but the bare, bleak, rectangular
outlines of the cabin of the Man on the Beach met their eyes. All
else was a desolate expanse, unrelieved by any structure higher
than the tussocks of scant beach grass that clothed it. They were
so utterly helpless that the driver's derisive laughter gave way at
last to good humor and suggestion. "Look yer," he said finally, "I
don't know ez it's your fault you don't know this kentry ez well ez
you do Yurup; so I'll drag this yer team over to Robinson's on the
river, give the horses a bite, and then meander down this yer
ridge, and wait for ye. Ye'll see me from the Kernel's." And
without waiting for a reply, he swung his horses' heads toward the
river, and rolled away.
The same querulous protest that had come from the windows arose
from the group, but vainly. Then followed accusations and
recrimination.


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