“That’s sure a sneakin’ idea,” agreed Hashknife softly.
The sheriff caught Hashknife’s meaning, but did not show that it had offended him. He was more sure now that Hashknife and Sleepy were in some way connected with the sheep. Else why would Hashknife defend the sheepmen?
“Are you fellers goin’ to try and get work around here?” he asked.
Hashknife smiled and shook his head.
“No, I don’t reckon we will, sheriff. We was takin’ a vacation, by ridin’ that cattle-train East; but that idea got ruined, so we’ll kinda mope around here for a while instead—if yuh don’t mind.”
“——, it’s a free country, gents.”
“Too —— much so,” grinned Sleepy. “Folks feel free to take shots at yuh any old time. They really ought to have an open and closed season on human beings.”
The sheriff laughed and began tinkering with his pipe, so Hashknife and Sleepy got to their feet.
“Mind if we attend the inquest tonight?” asked Hashknife.
The sheriff looked up quickly,