Afterward he had clamped his mouth shut through fear of the "big man" of the Law.

But why, still later, had he almost been done to death?
Mooie was a harmless creature.

He had no enemies.
There was no one at the Landing who would have assaulted the old trailer, whose hair was white with age.

No one, unless it was Kedsty himself--Kedsty at bay, Kedsty in a rage.

Even that was inconceivable.
Whatever the motive of the assault might be, and no matter who had committed it, Mooie had most certainly seen the Inspector of Police accompany Marette Radisson to the scow.