‘They know Nan was here at the ranch when her brother came from Mesa City, and heard what he said about fixin’ one of the 6X6 outfit,’ explained Lem. ‘Me and Noah heard it; but they want her testimony.’
Nan agreed to go, and while she was getting ready, Hashknife took Lem aside and questioned him about the gun he found in the corral.
‘Are you goin’ to offer that as evidence?’ asked Hashknife.
‘I’m kinda stuck about that,’ said Lem. ‘I hate to do it, and still I figure I ought to, Hashknife. It’ll hang Lane as sure as hell.’
‘They’ll have to catch him first.’
‘Yeah, I know; but I’ll catch him. I wasn’t goin’ to do a thing until the coroner’s jury decides; but if they say it was murder and name the murderer—what can I do? I’m jist an instrument, Hashknife.’
‘I know, Lem. How’s Noah this mornin’?’
‘Crazy as a shepherd. The doctor was with him all night, and he says Noah’s got a fightin’ chance. That ride last night didn’t do him a bit of good, and the doctor says we can’t take a chance on shippin’ him to a hospital.[’]
‘The folks down in Cañonville want to go right out and hang a rope on old man Lane and his son. They figure one of ’em mistook Noah for somebody from the 6X6.’
Sleepy and Joe Cave were putting the body into the hack, while Rex stood against the side of the stable, watching them.