Al said, "I won't be but a minute, Lorin'." He held the steel trap out to Smoky Delbert. "This yours?"
Smoky looked at him through insolent, half-closed eyes. "Nope."
"You lie in your teeth! I've told you before not to set traps before furs are prime. I'm tellin' you again and this is the last time."
"What goes on?" Blade demanded.
"Nothin' you can help, Lorin'. Smoky, if I find you poachin' in the Mahela once more, I'm goin' to beat you within an inch of your life!"
"You got any ideas along that line," Smoky remained insolent, "come shootin'."
Al said, "I can do that, too!"