The horseman rounded a bend in the trail just ahead of him. He drew up sharply as he came abreast.
"Say," the man cried, without ceremony, "guess you don't just happen to be Austin Leyburn?"
Leyburn thought quickly before replying.
"You looking for him?" he inquired evasively.
"What in hell do you s'pose I'm doin'?" retorted the other, with a sort of explosion.
"Shouting a deal," observed Leyburn calmly.
"Guess you'd shout too, if you was chased this time o' night rushin' around hunting a guy called Leyburn, when there's a hell of a big fire eatin' up that doggone skunk Hendrie's wheat."
"Fire?"
Leyburn appeared surprised.
"That's what I said. Say, you ain't deef an' blind, or what's ailing yer? You come along that way. Gee, I'd sure guess that lousy dollar king's 'bout hatin' hisself right now. It's his boys. They're on strike. More power to 'em, sez I. If I'd anything in their bizness I'd burn his house, too."