"Just so! Just so! And if I ain't too bold in askin'—just where, Mr. Drew?"
"Why, I heard it first from Old Dad Sloan himself. Miss Selden and I rode over to his cabin one morning, and we got him to talking of the days of 'Forty-nine. He can be quite interesting when he doesn't wander."
"Uh-huh! And ye say ye heard the name Dan Smeed over to Old Dad Sloan's fer the first time?"
"Yes, sir."
"The first time in yer life, Mr. Drew?"
"Yes. I had never heard of it until then."
A short, low snort from Selden. Jessamy knew it well. It signified: "I don't believe you!"
Said Selden presently: "Well, then, I'm gonta put another question to ye, Mr. Drew. I don't want ye to think I'm tryin' to butt in, as the fella says. But s'long's Tamroy was talkin' about me, I reckon it's right an' just that I should be interested. Now, what did Tamroy tell ye Old Dad Sloan had to say 'bout this here Dan Smeed and me?"
"He said that you and Dan Smeed were one time partners."
"Oh! Uh-huh! Just so! Partners, eh? And was that the first time ye ever heard that, Mr. Drew?"