4

3

spurred his horse on to meet me.

"Who are you?" he snapped, as he brought his mount to
a standstill before the cabin door, and swung to the ground.

I told him my name, but before I could make further
explanations, he questioned: "And what's your business: We
have rules and regulations in this yere camp, and bein as
how I'se foreman, I have to know all the business what comes
around here!"

After this sudden outburst I explained my presence as
best I could and asked his cooperation. For the time being
he seemed appeased. Lula had come to the dor by this time
and was watching interestedly. I noticed then that she was
much younger than her husband, and had a rich ginger-cake
color and straight black hair.

"So you're another of them government fellers? continued
Rich. "One come here jest last week about that Social
Security business. He was a government inspector check-
ing, and asked all kinds of questions; now you come along
and want to know about my life. I had to answer enough
questions last week."

He went in the house, after tying his horse to a near-
by post. But he came right out again, dragging a chair behind
him. He told me to sit down on it, while Lula sat in
the rocker and he made himself comfortable on the steps.

In an effort to break the tension I ask Rich where he
obtained the fine looking horse he was riding. He said:
"Joe? He belongs to the company, but I'se been riding him fer

1127