Free Shadow on the Land by Wayne D. Overholser Page B

through the mountains like the Santiam and McKenzie, but they’d make tough building. Feller named T. Edgenton Hogg had that notion once. Hey, lookit who’s coming.”
    It was cigar-smoking little Cyrus P. Jepson, riding a big black gelding, as neatly dressed as ever, his high-crowned Stetson pointed upward like a diminutive Mount Jefferson. He recognized Lee, and reined up at the edge of the road, his round eyes guarded and thoughtfully fixed on the buggy.
    â€œWant to talk?” Highpockets asked softly.
    â€œIf he’s got anything to talk about.”
    Highpockets pulled the team to a stop, and Jepson said with grave courtesy: “Good morning, gentlemen.”
    â€œHowdy, Jepson,” Lee said. “Quite a way from Jepson City, aren’t you?”
    â€œBusiness held me up. I’m surprised to see you. You missed the stage.”
    â€œHad an accident that gave me a bad headache.” Watching Jepson closely, Lee could not read the effect of his words upon the little man.
    â€œThat’s too bad. Well, it’s nice to see you again, Dawes. You’ll be around Madras for a time?”
    Again Lee recognized the deliberate probing. “A few days.”
    Jepson nodded pleasantly. “I’ll see you.” Reining his horse around the buggy, he galloped past.
    Highpockets spoke to the team, and, as the buggy lurched forward, Lee twisted in the seat, remaining that way until Jepson turned into Hanna’s lane. When he shifted back, Highpockets chuckled. “Went in to see Hanna, didn’t he?”
    â€œYeah, and pounding the dirt.”
    â€œHe got worried when he saw you, and he’ll keep sweating until she tells him you ain’t bought no right of way through to the Crooked River.”
    Lee nodded toward the mountains. “How far to the Deschutes?”
    â€œMaybe fifteen miles.”
    â€œThink I’ll hire a horse. I’d like to see that gut I’ve been hearing so much about.”
    â€œI’ll drive you over. Ain’t got nothing better to do.”
    â€œNot much of a vacation for you, but I’d like it if you want to.” After a moment’s thought, he added: “You know, it’d clear some things up in my head if I knew for sure Jepson was behind Boston Bull slugging me last night, and if it was Jepson, why.”
    â€œYou know dad-burned well it was Jepson. You said he was with Hanna on the train. Don’t forget she’s been away from the ranch. I’d say Jepson tried to make sure you was out of the way till Hanna gave her neighbors a boost.” Highpockets paused, one hand coming up to pull thoughtfully at a big ear. “Of course, it might’ve been that Quinn feller. He could’ve telephoned to somebody in Shaniko.”
    â€œNever thought of that,” Lee admitted.
    Highpockets sat in silence a moment, his forehead furrowed in thought. “There’s one angle I can’t figger out. Why’s that black-haired Haig filly running with Quinn now? When she first showed up here, she and Jepson was close as two fingers.”
    â€œThey were?” Lee stared at him in surprise, trying to fit this new fact into the pattern of his puzzle, and failing.

Chapter Six
    L ee had dinner in Madras, and, taking a room in the Green Hotel, slept until after darkness had come. He ate supper and afterward strolled idly along the street. Returning to the hotel lobby, he filled his pipe and sat slackly and loosely in the chair, a strange unease riding him. Reaction was setting in from the head-cracking in Shaniko, the fight with Boston Bull, the sleepless night dash, and finally his disappointment at Hanna Racine’s.
    Highpockets came by, pausing a moment to ask: “What time do you want to go in the morning?”
    â€œEarly.”
    â€œI’ll have the horses here at six.” Highpockets nodded, and moved away in the leggy stride of a normal-sized man on stilts.
    Lee knocked out his