The wash-basin hops right out from under the sheriff’s hands and a splash of soapy water hits him right in the face.
“Say it this way— ‘He thinks he’s lost cows,’” advises Hashknife, rubbing his thumb softly over the hammer of his cocked Winchester.
“Th-thinks he’s lost cows,” mumbles the sheriff, shaking the soap out of his eyes.
“I lost fifteen head and—” began Bowers, but Windy jabs him in the ribs with his rifle-barrel.
“Who in —— cares what you lost? You’re lucky to be alive.”
“Did Snag Thorn follow Miss Haley out of town?” I asks.
“Yeah! She shot one of his men, didn’t she? Maybe he rode to the ranch to get the rest of his men. Said he was going to clean out the Circle Dot while he had men enough left to help him.”
“Said that, did he?” asks Windy.
“He did. Whatcha mean by comin’ down here and actin’ like this? I’m the sheriff of this county and I won’t stand——”
“I sure apologizes to the wash-basin,” says Hashknife, “but that’s as far as I’ll go, Allen. You didn’t have no right to bring her here.”