“Who told you that shepherds were all crazy?” asks Dirty.
“It has been said,” replies Professor Middleton. “We are investigating.”
“Just what does the word ‘crazy’ mean?” I asks.
“Crazy?” Professor Pettingill looks shocked at our ignorance. “Crazy means decrepit; weak; feeble; of weakened or disordered intellect.”
“Come to think of it,” remarks Professor Middleton, “that party who assaulted us was neither decrepit, weak nor feeble, Pettingill,”
“He was likely mad as —— opines Dirty.
“At least that is a good simile,” nods Pettingill.
“Just about where are you pelicans headed for?” asks Dirty.
“Headed for?” asks Pettingill. “Where are we going? We desire to locate as near as possible to the habitat of the shepherd. We purchased the mules from a person in Silver Bend, who assisted us in selecting our provender. He tied it securely on the mules, and we haven’t taken if off since because we are afraid we could not get it on again.”
“How long have you been in the hills?” I asks.