‘All right, Dave—thanks,’ replied the sheriff.
The three cowboys hurried to the livery-stable, where they saddled their horses. Hashknife, Sleepy, and Lem joined them, and the six men rode out of town together. Lem and Hashknife rode knee-to-knee.
‘We better try the cañon jist south of the Lane place,’ called Bowen. ‘It ain’t so damn high there.’
‘Suits me,’ agreed Lem heartily. He had little hopes of ever getting to the bottom of the cañon, no matter where they tried a descent.
A quarter of a mile away from town, Hashknife halted them.
‘Boys, I want yuh to do me a little favor,’ he said. ‘Go right ahead and try to get down the cañon.’
‘What’s the idea, Hashknife?’ queried Lem wonderingly.
‘I can’t tell yuh yet, Lem. It’s just a hunch. I’m turnin’ back here.’
‘Let him go,’ said Sleepy quickly. ‘It’s all in the game.’
‘All right,’ agreed Lem, holding out his hand. ‘Good luck, Hashknife.’