They rode back to higher ground, where they drew rein and scanned the country. Not a living thing moved in that wide expanse of rangeland.
“Have you any idea what it means?” asked Jack.
“Haven’t you?”
Hashknife seemed surprised.
“Not much, Hartley.”
“Let me ask you an easy question, Jack. In all our travels today—and we’ve covered a lot of territory—how many head of cattle have you seen?”
Jack looked at Hashknife and his eyes swept the hills in a bewildered sort of way.
“Why, I—by golly, I don’t remember that we seen any. Say, that’s funny! I wondered what was wrong.”
“I didn’t see any either,” added Sleepy.
“Neither did I,” said Hashknife, mimicking Sleepy. “Because there ain’t any to be seen.”