If we are forced to winter our stock on the ranges half of them would die of starvation and exposure before spring." Hatfield narrowed his eyes and studied Lawler's face.

He half pursed his lips for a smile, but something in the grave, level eyes that looked into his dissuaded him, and he frowned and cleared his throat.
"It looks mighty bad, for a fact," he said.

"The buyers seem to have you owners in something of a pocket.

The worst of it is, that the thing is general.

I have complaints from all over the state.