“Uh-huh. Where did the cattlemen market their stock before they had the railroad?”
“Mostly in Medicine Tree. That was before the sheep got control of Sunland Basin. We used to take some big drives out of this valley.”
“Over Kiopo Pass?”
“Mostly. A few tried takin’ stock out through where the railroad goes now, but it was a pretty hard drive. The railroad had to blast their way in through solid rock and travel miles to gain a few hundred yards. Of course yuh could take stock out, but most of ’em would have their heels worn off before they hit Sunland. We’ve never been afraid of sheep comin’ in that way.”
“Any station or town between here and Medicine Tree?”
“Not until you get into Sunland Basin. Between here and there is a wilderness. Good grazin’ land though. But the snow piles up too deep in there for any one to use it, except in summer; and in the spring it catches the drainage from both sides and comes —— a-whoopin’ down Lo Lo.”
Hashknife squinted sidewise at Jack.
“You worryin’ about yore wife?”
“Well, my ——, wouldn’t you?”
Jack got to his feet and leaned against the corral.