“Huh! What’s he after?”
“You tell him, Ajax. Something about strangling the——”
“It is not a subject to cause levity,” chides Ajax. “Is there any reason why I should not come here to study the effects of astragalas splendens on the genus Ovius?”
The judge stands up to drink his coffee and then goes out to his horses.
“What do you think, judge?” I asks.
He picks up the lead rope of his pack-horse and ponders the question.
“Ike, I hate to give out a judicial reply as I might be called upon to render a decision from the bench, but I’ll say this much: Any jury in Yaller Rock County would convict him without leaving their seats.”
He gets on his horse and pilgrims off up the trail.
“How quaint,” grins Ajax. “Is he really a presiding judge or did he simply acquire the title as many Westerners are reputed to have?”
“I believe he is,” says Magpie. “Danged if I don’t believe he is.”