She said, “They’re over at Shanty’s place. Our boys, too. They’re puttin’ up a new cabin for him.”

“Takin’ a chance, aren’t they? Some of the hotheads around here will burn it down like before.”

“Not likely. Tom and our boys paid a visit to Fowier Gaskin and everybody else they thought might have such notions. Put the fear of God into them. Ain’t heard a word out of Fowler since, nor anybody else.”

“What about Jeremiah Brackett and his son, Farley?”

“Farley’s got himself in real bad trouble. He’s run the law ragged tryin’ to catch him, so they’ve been campin’ on his daddy’s doorstep. The old man’s got too much grief on his plate to bedevil Shanty or anybody else.”

Rusty and the others watered their horses. He told Mrs. Blessing, “We’ll ride on over to Shanty’s. I need to talk to Tom.”

She warned, “Keep a sharp eye out for the Oldhams and their state police. They came back mighty sore over not bein’ able to arrest you. Tom says Buddy’s gone a little crazy.”

“He always did seem about three aces shy of a full deck. I’ll watch out for him.”

Shanty’s crop of corn had been cut and set up in shocks across the field. His dog came trotting out to meet the visitors. Hearing him bark, Shanty put aside an ax with which he had been trimming a log. He stared a moment until he was sure, then hobbled toward Rusty. Beyond him Rusty could see that the cabin walls were almost finished.

“Mr. Rusty,” Shanty shouted, “welcome home. And you, Mr. Tanner, and Andy.”

Rusty stepped down and grasped Shanty’s hand. “It’s good to see you. You been gettin’ along all right?”

“Fine as frog hair. I wisht you’d look at the cabin the Blessings are helpin’ me build. It’ll be bigger than the old one was.”

“I’m glad, Shanty.”

“It’ll feel good to stay at my own place and take care of my own land, just me and my old dog. Hope it don’t rain before we get done.”

Rusty saw no sign of a rain cloud. “Doesn’t appear likely.”

Shanty’s enthusiasm gave way to concern. “You looked as much dead as alive last time we seen you.”

“I’ve healed up pretty good. Don’t have a lot of strength in that shoulder, but it’ll get better.”

“Them Oldhams don’t mean to just wound you in the shoulder next time. They’ll aim for your heart.”

Tom Blessing strode out to greet Rusty and the others. He still had a crushing handshake. “Been expectin’ you,” he said, “even though I hoped you wouldn’t come. Things have turned off real mean around here.”

“I thought they already were.”