Chapter VI

           Ostermancuthiswheatthatsummerbeforeanyoftheotherranchers,andassoonashisharvestwasoverorganizedajack-rabbitdrive.LikeAnnixter’sbarn-dance,itwastobeaneventinwhichallthecountry-sideshouldtakepart.ThedrivewastobeginonthemostwesterndivisionoftheOstermanranch,whenceitwouldproceedtowardsthesoutheast,crossingintothenorthernpartofQuienSabe—onwhichAnnixterhadsownnowheat—andendinginthehillsattheheadwatersofBrodersonCreek,whereabarbecuewastobeheld.

           Earlyonthemorningofthedayofthedrive,asHarranandPresleyweresaddlingtheirhorsesbeforethestablesonLosMuertos,theforeman,Phelps,remarked:

           “Iwasintotownlastnight,andIhearthatChristianhasbeenafterRugglesearlyandlatetohavehimputhiminpossessionhereonLosMuertos,andDelaneyisdoingthesameforQuienSabe.”

           ItwasthismanChristian,therealestatebroker,andcousinofS.Behrman,oneofthemainactorsinthedramaofDyke’scapture,whohadcomeforwardasapurchaserofLosMuertoswhentheRailroadhadregradeditsholdingsontheranchesaroundBonneville.

           “Heclaims,ofcourse,”Phelpswenton,“thatwhenheboughtLosMuertosoftheRailroadhewasguaranteedpossession,andhewantstheplaceintimefortheharvest.”

           “That’salmostasthin,”mutteredHarranashethrustthebitintohishorse’smouth,“asDelaneybuyingAnnixter’sHomeranch.