“What about Goose Creek?”
Pete Sledge stepped close to Vane at that and peered keenly into his face for a moment.
“Friend of them Danglers?” he asked.
“I’ve never set my eyes on a Dangler in my life, but I’ve heard of them from Jard Hassock and I’m curious about them,” replied Vane.
“Why don’t you go over to Goose Crick with Jard?”
“He won’t go. He seems to be afraid of the place—and the people.”
“And you ain’t?”
“Not worth a cent!”
Sledge showed signs of embarrassment. “I ain’t what you would properly call scart, but I don’t jist hanker after that there section of country,” he said. “Oh, no, I ain’t scart! Ain’t I fell out with them Danglers an’ bested ’em? But Goose Crick don’t interest me none. But what is it you want of them folks?”
“I feel a curiosity concerning them which I think is quite natural. I want to see where they live—the people who have thrown a scare into the whole countryside. If you won’t come along, I’ll go alone. They must be very remarkable people.”