Joe controlled his rising anger and prepared to state his mission. But before he could speak, Snedeker spoke again.
"You an Oregon emmy-grant?"
"That's right."
"Where's your booie knives?"
"What?"
"Your booie knives, man! Last emmy-grant I saw off the Trail had six of 'em an' a revolver stuck in his belt. Where's yours?"
"I haven't any."
"You're a heck of a emmy-grant." Snedeker addressed the youth, "Ain't he a heck of a emmy-grant, Ellis?"
The youth winked at Joe. Snedeker saw him do it and glared.
"Don't you go doin' that behint my back! Wuthless pup! I see you do it!" He turned to Joe. "This Ellis Garner, he sets around here all the time 'stead of movin' his rear a mite! Kids nowadays ain't wuth the powder to blow 'em up! Ain't that so, Ellis?"