As has been said, the right of justice and fair-dealing was the very backbone of the cattle-raising industry, and owners depended almost entirely upon other men’s recognition of it to insure them any profits in the fall.
For this reason six of the eleven men were in favor of letting Larkin go. The matter rested with the majority vote and was about to be put to 170 the final ballot when Mike Stelton got on his feet and asked if he might put a few questions.
Bissell, only too eager for any delay or interruption that might change the sentiment of the majority, granted the request.
Stelton’s dark face was illumined for a moment with a crafty smile, and then he said:
“Yuh know a man by the name of Smithy Caldwell, don’t yuh?”
“Yes,” said Bud, cautiously, not seeing quite where the question might lead.
“He was in that stampede with yuh, wasn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“He was one of the party sent out to string yuh up, wasn’t he?”
This time there was a long hesitation as Bud tried vainly to catch the drift of the other’s interrogation.