Part 38 (2/2)
”I'll call him, Mr. Tow--”
Before he could finish, an apparition came through an open door toward the rear of the building. Tall, it was thin to the point of gauntness.
A fur hat sat on its head, and uncut gray and black hair straggled from beneath the hat. It was dressed in an ornate fringed buckskin s.h.i.+rt and buckskin trousers. Its feet were bare. Above a gray stubble that covered its leathery cheeks were eyes so pale and blue that they seemed to have no expression at all, but to be oddly like drifting blue smoke. Its expression was a snarl, and its voice matched the expression.
”Want to see me, eh? Go ahead an' look.”
”I'm looking for Jim Snedeker.”
”Who you think I am? Pres'dent of the Unitey States?”
Joe controlled his rising anger and prepared to state his mission. But before he could speak, Snedeker spoke again.
”You an Oregon emmy-grant?”
”That's right.”
”Where's your booie knives?”
”What?”
”Your booie knives, man! Last emmy-grant I saw off the Trail had six of 'em an' a revolver stuck in his belt. Where's yours?”
”I haven't any.”
”You're a heck of a emmy-grant.” Snedeker addressed the youth, ”Ain't he a heck of a emmy-grant, Ellis?”
The youth winked at Joe. Snedeker saw him do it and glared.
”Don't you go doin' that behint my back! Wuthless pup! I see you do it!”
He turned to Joe. ”This Ellis Garner, he sets around here all the time 'stead of movin' his rear a mite! Kids nowadays ain't wuth the powder to blow 'em up! Ain't that so, Ellis?”
”Jim, this man--”
”Shut up!” Snedeker whirled on Joe. ”What do you want of me?”
”Did you know a man named Seeley?”
”Yeh. I knew him. s.h.i.+f'less old coot. What about him?”
”He said you'd give me a job.”
”I might.” Snedeker stroked his stubble. ”I might at that. You drink?”
”No.”
”Why the blazes don't you? Ever'body else does.”
”None of your blasted business!” Joe exploded.
”Why you--!” Snedeker sputtered like a boiling tea kettle. ”Ain't no man talks thataway to me!” He strode to the rifle rack, seized a rifle, and aimed it at Joe. ”Take that back!”
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