“Well, what ye doin’ here?”
Price’s first thought was of an insolent retort, but, remembering the other’s decisive way of settling disputes, softened his manner, and said:
“Resting after a hard day-and-night ride.”
“Where be ye goin’?”
“Working south, now, across the Yellowstone. Came up to hunt down a horse thief Sioux, but lost him.”
“How many horses did he get?”
“Two, but we want to settle with him more than to get the ponies.”
“Well, thar’s a couple o’ ponies I reckon you c’n have, an’ welcome; their owners won’t need ’em any more.”
“What’s the cause of the falling out you had with the reds?”
“Devils raided my corral last night and shot my father—they won’t shoot any more fathers.”