Whispering Sage

her's white blood might make her listen to reason." He paused until he was sure Acklin followed him. "That is, if the Big Boss used a little reason." "What are you hinting at?" Acklin demanded peremptorily. "You don't mean to tell me you are serious with that kid, do you?" They were walking their horses. Acklin pulled up. He held Bodine's eye. "Suppose we leave her out of this," he said icily. "It 's none of my business, Acklin. I just wondered what your game was." "What 's yours?" Acklin drove his question home so suddenly that Bodine was stumped for an answer. "Well," he said at last, "now we are getting somewheres." "What do you mean?" "Oh, nothing; only these foreigners seem to be damned prosperous around here, don't they? From your nest at the Bull's Head, these ranches down here must look pretty sweet. What a place this valley would be to fatten cattle in. And to think that you could have had it for a song." Bodine clucked his tongue at the pity of it. "Well?" Acklin's patience was running out. "Those Basques have got the water that belongs to me by rights. You know that, Acklin." "Why don't you go after it, then?" "I 'm going after it. Don't let that worry you. And if you are half as wise as I think you are, Acklin, I 'll get it. All I want is a little Double A backing, to put this deal through.'' Acklin's eyes contracted. His surmise had been correct. "You make me smile, Bodine," he said. "The...