"They've bought it from the bank. They own it clear to the ridge line, including your place, here."
"We been here forty years," said Ed.
"If I owned it you could stay forty more."
"They send you?" the voice was sharp, suspicious.
Jerry shook his head. "I just thought you'd like to know about it."
For a couple of minutes the Carver brothers chewed tobacco in unison. They stood up, reached for their guns. "We'll see," they said.
Jerry nodded. They walked beside him, kicking thoughtfully at the leaves. The brother named Mike rubbed his whiskers. "Get much of a look at 'em when ye passed through?"
"Some."
"They furriners?"
Jerry sighed inwardly. "Maybe. They look like hard workers."