Fair laughed.
“I’ve set a guard around the sheriff’s house,” he said, “put six of his cowboys on double shift. I knew they would find out that he is still alive and might try to finish the job—so he would never talk—Sky Line, I mean. And now, Mr. Bossick, I think we’d better go talk to Jermyn and the rest. I’m only sorry Selwood isn’t able to be with us.”
“This is a pretty bunch to bring back to me, Caldwell,” said Kate Cathrew, tapping her foot with a whip, “one man disabled and another pounded into jelly. Who’s this damn stranger who’s so handy with his gun?”
“Name’s Smith,” said the foreman sulkily, “and I’d better tell you right now, that Selwood isn’t dead. He’s alive and they’re waiting for him to come round so he can—talk.”
Cattle Kate’s face flamed red.
“Not dead? Bring Provine here!”
But she would not wait as was her wont when summoning her men. She whirled and strode along the veranda to meet Provine who came in no good grace.
“I’ve a notion to kill you on the spot!” she cried furiously, “you fool bungler! Of all the crazy, wild, impossible things! Why didn’t you get that man? The one person in the world who knew of The Flange and Rainbow’s Pot behind! You let him get away!”
“Done my best,” said the man evilly, “an’ to hell with those who don’t like it.”
Quick as a flash the woman raised her whip and struck him.