“I ain’t got a friend. They’re all ag’in’ me, Dawn. They got Pete into a poker game and stole his money. They knocked him down after they robbed him, and now they’ll try to hang him for killin’ a thief. Well, they can come and get the old man any time they feel like it—but they’ll know they’ve been to war.”
They rode back to the house, where Dawn hitched a horse to the rickety old buggy and drove to town after groceries. She wanted to have a talk with Roaring Rigby about the dead steers and about her father. She knew her father meant what he had said about taking a shot at anybody who came after him.
Roaring was not at the office, but Wind River Jim was there. With him was Jeff Ryker, the attorney. They both knew about the dead steers and were waiting for Roaring to return and tell them the rest of the story.
Wind River told her that Roaring had ridden out to the Big 4 with Regan and Clayton the night before, and hadn’t returned yet. Ryker was very pleasant. In fact he was so pleasant that Wind River snorted aloud.
Ryker did not know that Dawn’s mother had told her; but he hoped his suit was being looked upon with favor. Neither of them mentioned the dead steers, but Wind River told her that Jimmy Moran’s father was at the Big 4.
“He probably came back to try and buy your father out,” said Ryker.
Dawn shook her head.
“He knows it’s no use,” she said. “Dad won’t sell out to the Big 4. They’ve tried enough times.”
“So I understand.” Ryker rubbed his hands together, causing his celluloid cuffs to click. “Still,” he said thoughtfully, “I think he’d be wise to sell the place. Cutter would pay a good price. In fact, I think he made your father an offer, Miss Dawn.”
“I don’t know,” said Dawn. “Dad is queer about that old place. I wish he would sell. It isn’t pleasant living the way we do. I know I’d be willing to sell out.”