"Hi," said Jed and Pete together.
"How far," the man asked, "do you have to go into Oklyhomy to find land that ain't staked?"
"I'm afraid," said Pete, "that you're too late."
"You mean," and the man seemed to grow more tired and the woman more worried with each passing second, "it's all took up?"
"I'm afraid it is."
"I started good," the man said hoarsely, "but a horse played out. Time I'd rested him, it was midnight. I started right out again."
"I'm sorry," said Pete.
"This your claim?" the man asked Jed.
"That's right."
"And that one's yours?"