Magnus，however，declined。Hestatedhiserrand，askingAnnixtertocomeovertoLosMuertosthateveningforseveno’clockdinner。OstermanandBrodersonwouldbethere。
AtonceAnnixter，eventoHarran’ssurprise，puthischinintheair，makingexcuses，fearingtocompromisehimselfifheacceptedtooreadily。No，hedidnotthinkhecouldgetaround——wassureofit，infact。Therewerecertainbusinesseshehadonhandthatevening。HehadpracticallymadeanappointmentwithamanatBonneville。then，too，hewasthinkingofgoinguptoSanFranciscoto-morrowandneededhissleep。wouldgotobedearly。
andbesidesallthat，hewasaverysickman。hisstomachwasoutofwhack。ifhemovedaboutitbroughtthegripesback。No，theymustgetalongwithouthim。
Magnus，knowingwithwhomhehadtodeal，didnoturgethepoint，beingconvincedthatAnnixterwouldargueovertheaffairtherestofthemorning。Here-settledhimselfinthebuggyandHarrangatheredupthereins。
Well，heobserved，youknowyourbusinessbest。Comeifyoucan。Wedineatseven。
IhearyouaregoingtofarmthewholeofLosMuertosthisseason，remarkedAnnixter，withacertainnoteofchallengeinhisvoice。
Wearethinkingofit，repliedMagnus。
Annixtergruntedscornfully。
DidyougetthemessageIsentyoubyPresley？hebegan。
Tactless，blunt，anddirect，AnnixterwasquitecapableofcallingevenMagnusafooltohisface。Butbeforehecouldproceed，S。Behrmaninhissinglebuggyturnedintothegate，anddrivingleisurelyuptotheporchhaltedontheothersideofMagnus’steam。
Good-morning，gentlemen，heremarked，noddingtothetwoDerricksasthoughhehadnotseenthemearlierintheday。Mr。
Annixter，howdoyoudo？
WhatinhelldoYOUwant？demandedAnnixterwithastare。
S。Behrmanhiccoughedslightlyandpassedafathandoverhiswaistcoat。
Why，notverymuch，Mr。Annixter，hereplied，ignoringthebelligerencyintheyoungranchman’svoice，butIwillhavetolodgeaprotestagainstyou，Mr。Annixter，inthematterofkeepingyourlinefenceinrepair。Thesheepwerealloverthetracklastnight，thissidetheLongTrestle，andIamafraidtheyhaveseriouslydisturbedourballastalongthere。We——therailroad——can’tfencealongourrightofway。Thefarmershavetheprescriptiverightofthat，sowehavetolooktoyoutokeepyourfenceinrepair。Iamsorry，butIshallhavetoprotest——
Annixterreturnedtothehammockandstretchedhimselfoutinittohisfulllength，remarkingtranquilly：
Gotothedevil！
Itisasmuchtoyourinterestastooursthatthesafetyofthepublic——
YouheardwhatIsaid。Gotothedevil！
Thatallmayshowobstinacy，Mr。Annixter，but——
SuddenlyAnnixterjumpedupagainandcametotheedgeoftheporch。hisfaceflamedscarlettotherootsofhisstiffyellowhair。Hethrustouthisjawaggressively，clenchinghisteeth。
You，hevociferated，I’lltellyouwhatyouare。You’rea——a——
aPIP！
Tohisminditwasthelastinsult，themostoutrageouscalumny。
Hehadnoworseepithetathiscommand——
mayshowobstinacy，pursuedS。Behrman，bentuponfinishingthephrase，butitdon’tshowcommonsense。
I’llmendmyfence，andthen，again，maybeIwon’tmendmyfence，shoutedAnnixter。Iknowwhatyoumean——thatwildenginelastnight。Well，you’venorighttorunatthatspeedinthetownlimits。
Howthetownlimits？ThesheepwerethissidetheLongTrestle。
Well，that’sinthetownlimitsofGuadalajara。
Why，Mr。Annixter，theLongTrestleisagoodtwomilesoutofGuadalajara。
Annixtersquaredhimself，leapingtothechanceofanargument。
Twomiles！It’snotamileandaquarter。No，it’snotamile。
I’llleaveittoMagnushere。
Oh，Iknownothingaboutit，declaredMagnus，refusingtobeinvolved。
Yes，youdo。Yes，youdo，too。AnyfoolknowshowfaritisfromGuadalajaratotheLongTrestle。It’saboutfive-eighthsofamile。
Fromthedepotofthetown，remarkedS。Behrmanplacidly，totheheadoftheLongTrestleisabouttwomiles。
That’salieandyouknowit’salie，shoutedtheother，furiousatS。Behrman’scalmness，andIcanproveit’salie。
I’vewalkedthatdistanceontheUpperRoad，andIknowjusthowfastIwalk，andifIcanwalkfourmilesinonehour
MagnusandHarrandroveon，leavingAnnixtertryingtodrawS。
Behrmanintoawrangle。
WhenatlengthS。Behrmanaswelltookhimselfaway，Annixterreturnedtohishammock，finishedtherestofhisprunesandreadanotherchapterofCopperfield。Thenheputthebook，open，overhisfaceandwenttosleep。
Anhourlater，towardnoon，hisownterrificsnoringwokehimupsuddenly，andhesatup，rubbinghisfaceandblinkingatthesunlight。Therewasabadtasteinhismouthfromsleepingwithitwideopen，andgoingintothedining-roomofthehouse，hemixedhimselfadrinkofwhiskeyandsodaandswalloweditinthreegreatgulps。Hetoldhimselfthathefeltnotonlybetterbuthungry，andpressedanelectricbuttoninthewallnearthesideboardthreetimestoletthekitchen——situatedinaseparatebuildingneartheranchhouse——knowthathewasreadyforhisdinner。Ashedidso，anideaoccurredtohim。HewonderedifHilmaTreewouldbringuphisdinnerandwaitonthetablewhileheateit。
Inconnectionwithhisranch，Annixterranadairyfarmonaverysmallscale，makingjustenoughbutterandcheesefortheconsumptionoftheranch’sPERSONNEL。OldmanTree，hiswife，andhisdaughterHilmalookedafterthedairy。ButtherewasnotalwaysworkenoughtokeepthethreeofthemoccupiedandHilmaattimesmadeherselfusefulinotherways。Asoftenasnotshelentahandinthekitchen，andtwoorthreetimesaweekshetookhermother’splaceinlookingafterAnnixter’shouse，makingthebeds，puttinghisroomtorights，bringinghismealsupfromthekitchen。Forthelastsummershehadbeenawayvisitingwithrelativesinoneofthetownsonthecoast。ButtheweekprevioustothisshehadreturnedandAnnixterhadcomeuponhersuddenlyonedayinthedairy，makingcheese，thesleevesofhercrispblueshirtwaistrolledbacktoherveryshoulders。
Annixterhadcarriedawaywithhimaclear-cutrecollectionofthesesmoothwhitearmsofhers，baretotheshoulder，veryroundandcoolandfresh。Hewouldnothavebelievedthatagirlsoyoungshouldhavehadarmssobigandperfect。Tohissurprisehefoundhimselfthinkingofherafterhehadgonetobedthatnight，andinthemorningwhenhewokehewasbotheredtoknowwhetherhehaddreamedaboutHilma’sfinewhitearmsovernight。
Thenabruptlyhehadlostpatiencewithhimselfforbeingsooccupiedwiththesubject，ragingandfuriouswithallthebreedoffeemales——afinewayforamantowastehistime。Hehadhadhisexperiencewiththetimidlittlecreatureintheglove-
cleaningestablishmentinSacramento。Thatwasenough。
Feemales！Rot！NoneoftheminHIS，thankyou。HEhadseenHilmaTreegivehimalookinthedairy。Aha，hesawthroughher！Shewastryingtogetaholdonhim，wasshe？Hewouldshowher。Waittillhesawheragain。Hewouldsendheraboutherbusinessinahurry。Heresolveduponaterribledemeanourinthepresenceofthedairygirl——agreatshowofindifference，afiercemasculinenonchalance。andwhen，thenextmorning，shebroughthimhisbreakfast，hehadbeensmittendumbassoonassheenteredtheroom，glueinghiseyesuponhisplate，hiselbowsclosetohisside，awkward，clumsy，overwhelmedwithconstraint。
Whiletruetohisconvictionsasawoman-haterandgenuinelydespisingHilmabothasagirlandasaninferior，theideaofherworriedhim。Mostofall，hewasangrywithhimselfbecauseofhisinanesheepishnesswhenshewasabout。Heatfirsthadtoldhimselfthathewasafoolnottobeabletoignoreherexistenceashitherto，andthenthathewasagreaterfoolnottotakeadvantageofhisposition。Certainlyhehadnottheremotestideaofanyaffection，butHilmawasafinelookinggirl。Heimaginedanaffairwithher。
Ashereflecteduponthematternow，scowlingabstractedlyatthebuttonoftheelectricbell，turningthewholebusinessoverinhismind，herememberedthatto-daywasbutter-makingdayandthatMrs。Treewouldbeoccupiedinthedairy。ThatmeantthatHilmawouldtakeherplace。Heturnedtothemirrorofthesideboard，scrutinisinghisreflectionwithgrimdisfavour。
Afteramoment，rubbingtheroughenedsurfaceofhischinthewrongway，hemutteredtohisimageintheglass：
Thatamug！GoodLord！whatalookingmug！Then，afteramoment’ssilence，Wonderifthatfoolfeemalewillbeuphereto-day。
Hecrossedoverintohisbedroomandpeepedaroundtheedgeoftheloweredcurtain。Thewindowlookedoutupontheskeleton-
liketoweroftheartesianwellandthecook-houseanddairy-
houseclosebesideit。Ashewatched，hesawHilmacomeoutfromthecook-houseandhurryacrosstowardthekitchen。Evidently，shewasgoingtoseeabouthisdinner。Butasshepassedbytheartesianwell，shemetyoungDelaney，oneofAnnixter’shands，comingupthetrailbytheirrigatingditch，leadinghishorsetowardthestables，agreatcoilofbarbedwireinhisglovedhandsandapairofnippersthrustintohisbelt。Nodoubt，hehadbeenmendingthebreakinthelinefencebytheLongTrestle。
Annixtersawhimtakeoffhiswide-brimmedhatashemetHilma，andthetwostoodthereforsomemomentstalkingtogether。
AnnixterevenheardHilmalaughingverygaylyatsomethingDelaneywassaying。Shepattedhishorse’sneckaffectionately，andDelaney，drawingthenippersfromhisbelt，madeasiftopinchherarmwiththem。Shecaughtathiswristandpushedhimaway，laughingagain。ToAnnixter’smindthepairseemedastonishinglyintimate。Brusquelyhisangerflamedup。
Ah，thatwasit，wasit？DelaneyandHilmahadanunderstandingbetweenthemselves。Theycarriedontheiraffairrightoutthereintheopen，underhisveryeyes。Itwasabsolutelydisgusting。
Hadtheynosenseofdecency，thosetwo？Well，thisendedit。
Hewouldstopthatsortofthingshortoff。noneofthatonHIS
ranchifheknewit。No，sir。Hewouldpackthatgirloffbeforehewasadayolder。Hewouldn’thavethatkindabouttheplace。Notmuch！She’dhavetogetout。HewouldtalktooldmanTreeaboutitthisafternoon。Whateverhappened，HEinsisteduponmorality。
Andmydinner！hesuddenlyexclaimed。I’vegottowaitandgohungry——andmaybegetsickagain——whiletheycarryontheirdisgustinglove-making。
Heturnedaboutontheinstant，andstridingovertotheelectricbell，rangitagainwithallhismight。
Whenthatfeemalegetsuphere，hedeclared，I’lljustfindoutwhyI’vegottowaitlikethis。I’lltakeherdown，totheQueen’staste。I’mlenientenough，Lordknows，butIdon’tproposetobeimposeduponALLthetime。
Afewmomentslater，whileAnnixterwaspretendingtoreadthecountynewspaperbythewindowinthedining-room，Hilmacameintosetthetable。AtthetimeAnnixterhadhisfeetcockedonthewindowledgeandwassmokingacigar，butassoonassheenteredtheroomhe——withoutpremeditation——broughthisfeetdowntothefloorandcrushedoutthelightedtipofhiscigarunderthewindowledge。Overthetopofthepaperheglancedathercovertlyfromtimetotime。
ThoughHilmawasonlynineteenyearsold，shewasalargegirlwithallthedevelopmentofamucholderwoman。Therewasacertaingenerousamplitudetothefull，roundcurvesofherhipsandshouldersthatsuggestedtheprecociousmaturityofahealthy，vigorousanimallifepassedunderthehotsouthernsunofahalf-tropicalcountry。Shewas，oneknewataglance，warm-
blooded，full-blooded，withaneven，comfortablebalanceoftemperament。Herneckwasthick，andslopedtohershoulders，withfull，beautifulcurves，andunderherchinandunderherearsthefleshwasaswhiteandsmoothasflosssatin，shadingexquisitelytoafaintdelicatebrownonhernapeattherootsofherhair。Herthroatroundedtomeetherchinandcheek，withasoftswelloftheskin，tintedpaleamberintheshadows，butblendingbybarelyperceptiblegradationstothesweet，warmflushofhercheek。Thiscolouronhertempleswasjusttouchedwithacertainbluenesswherethefleshwasthinoverthefineveiningunderneath。Hereyeswerelightbrown，andsowideopenthatontheslightestprovocationthefulldiscofthepupilwasdisclosed。thelids——justafractionofashadedarkerthanthehueofherface——wereedgedwithlashesthatwerealmostblack。
Whiletheselasheswerenotlong，theywerethickandrimmedhereyeswithafine，thinline。Hermouthwasratherlarge，thelipsshuttight，andnothingcouldhavebeenmoregraceful，morecharmingthantheoutlineofthesefulllipsofhers，andherroundwhitechin，modulatingdownwardwithacertaindeliciousroundnesstoherneck，herthroatandthesweetfeminineamplitudeofherbreast。Theslightestmovementofherheadandshoulderssentagentleundulationthroughallthisbeautyofsoftoutlinesandsmoothsurfaces，thedelicateambershadowsdeepeningorfadingorlosingthemselvesimperceptiblyintheprettyrose-colourofhercheeks，orthedark，warm-tintedshadowofherthickbrownhair。
Herhairseemedalmosttohavealifeofitsown，almostMedusa-
like，thick，glossyandmoist，lyinginheavy，sweet-smellingmassesoverherforehead，overhersmallearswiththeirpinklobes，andfardownuponhernape。Deepinbetweenthecoilsandbraidsitwasofabitumenbrownness，butinthesunlightitvibratedwithasheenliketarnishedgold。
Likemostlargegirls，hermovementswerenothurried，andthisindefinitedeliberatenessofgesture，thisslowgrace，thiscertaineaseofattitude，wasacharmthatwasallherown。
ButHilma’sgreatestcharmofallwashersimplicity——asimplicitythatwasnotonlyinthecalmregularityofherface，withitsstatuesqueevennessofcontour，itsbroadsurfaceofcheekandforeheadandthemassesofherstraightsmoothhair，butwasapparentaswellinthelonglineofhercarriage，fromherfoottoherwaistandthesingledeepswellfromherwaisttohershoulder。Almostunconsciouslyshedressedinharmonywiththisnoteofsimplicity，andonthisoccasionworeaskirtofplaindarkbluecalicoandawhiteshirtwaistcrispfromthelaundry。
Andyet，forallthedignityofthisrigouroussimplicity，therewereaboutHilmasmallcontradictorysuggestionsoffemininedaintiness，charmingbeyondwords。EvenAnnixtercouldnothelpnoticingthatherfeetwerenarrowandslender，andthatthelittlesteelbucklesofherlowshoeswerepolishedbright，andthatherfingertipsandnailswereofafinerosypink。
HefoundhimselfwonderinghowitwasthatagirlinHilma’spositionshouldbeabletokeepherselfsopretty，sotrim，socleanandfeminine，buthereflectedthatherworkwaschieflyinthedairy，andeventhereofthelightestorder。Shewasontheranchmoreforthesakeofbeingwithherparentsthanfromanynecessityofemployment。Vaguelyheseemedtounderstandthat，inthatgreatnewlandoftheWest，intheopen-air，healthylifeoftheranches，wheretheconditionsofearningalivelihoodwereoftheeasiest，refinementamongtheyoungerwomenwaseasilytobefound——nottherefinementofeducation，norculture，butthenatural，intuitiverefinementofthewoman，notasyetdefiledandcrushedoutbythesordid，strenuouslife-struggleofover-
populateddistricts。Itwastheoriginal，intendedandnaturaldelicacyofanelementalexistence，closetonature，closetolife，closetothegreat，kindlyearth。
AsHilmalaidthetable-spread，herarmsopenedtotheirwidestreach，thewhiteclothsettingalittleglistenofreflectedlightunderneaththechin，Annixterstirredinhisplaceuneasily。
Oh，it’syou，isit，MissHilma？heremarked，forthesakeofsayingsomething。Good-morning。Howdoyoudo？
Good-morning，sir，sheanswered，lookingup，restingforamomentonheroutspreadpalms。Ihopeyouarebetter。
Hervoicewaslowinpitchandofavelvetyhuskiness，seemingtocomemorefromherchestthanfromherthroat。
Well，I’msomebetter，growledAnnixter。Thensuddenlyhedemanded，Where’sthatdog？
AdecrepitIrishsettersometimesmadehisappearanceinandabouttheranchhouse，sleepingunderthebedandeatingwhenanyoneabouttheplacethoughttogivehimaplateofbread。
Annixterhadnoparticularinterestinthedog。Forweeksatatimeheignoreditsexistence。Itwasnothisdog。Butto-dayitseemedasifhecouldnotletthesubjectrest。Fornoreasonthathecouldexplaineventohimself，herecurredtoitcontinually。HequestionedHilmaminutelyallaboutthedog。
Whoownedhim？Howolddidshethinkhewas？Didsheimaginethedogwassick？Wherehadhegotto？Maybehehadcrawledofftodiesomewhere。Herecurredtothesubjectallthroughthemeal。apparently，hecouldtalkofnothingelse，andasshefinallywentawayafterclearingoffthetable，hewentontotheporchandcalledafterher：
Say，MissHilma。
Yes，sir。
Ifthatdogturnsupagainyouletmeknow。
Verywell，sir。
Annixterreturnedtothedining-roomandsatdowninthechairhehadjustvacated。
Tohellwiththedog！hemuttered，enraged，hecouldnottellwhy。
WhenatlengthheallowedhisattentiontowanderfromHilmaTree，hefoundthathehadbeenstaringfixedlyatathermometeruponthewallopposite，andthismadehimthinkthatithadlongbeenhisintentiontobuyafinebarometer，aninstrumentthatcouldbeaccuratelydependedon。Butthebarometersuggestedthepresentconditionoftheweatherandthelikelihoodofrain。Insuchcase，muchwastobedoneinthewayofgettingtheseedreadyandoverhaulinghisploughsanddrills。Hehadnotbeenawayfromthehouseintwodays。Itwastimetobeupanddoing。
Hedeterminedtoputintheafternoontakingalookaround，andhavealatesupper。HewouldnotgotoLosMuertos。hewouldignoreMagnusDerrick’sinvitation。Possibly，though，itmightbewelltorunoverandseewhatwasup。
IfIdo，hesaidtohimself，I’llridethebuckskin。
Thebuckskinwasahalf-brokenbronchothatfoughtlikeafiendunderthesaddleuntilthequirtandspurbroughthertohersenses。ButAnnixterrememberedthattheTrees’cottage，nextthedairy-house，lookedoutuponthestables，andperhapsHilmawouldseehimwhilehewasmountingthehorseandbeimpressedwithhiscourage。
Huh！gruntedAnnixterunderhisbreath，IshouldliketoseethatfoolDelaneytrytobustthatbronch。That’swhatI’Dliketosee。
However，asAnnixtersteppedfromtheporchoftheranchhouse，hewassurprisedtonoticeagreyhazeoverallthesky。thesunlightwasgone。therewasasenseofcoolnessintheair。theweather-vaneonthebarn——afinegoldentrottinghorsewithflamboyantmaneandtail——wasveeringinasouthwestwind。
Evidentlytheexpectedrainwascloseathand。
AnnixtercrossedovertothestablesreflectingthathecouldridethebuckskintotheTrees’cottageandtellHilmathathewouldnotbehometosupper。TheconferenceatLosMuertoswouldbeanadmirableexcuseforthis，anduponthespotheresolvedtogoovertotheDerrickranchhouse，afterall。
AshepassedtheTrees’cottage，heobservedwithsatisfactionthatHilmawasgoingtoandfrointhefrontroom。Ifhebustedthebuckskinintheyardbeforethestableshecouldnothelpbutsee。Annixterfoundthestablemaninthebackofthebarngreasingtheaxlesofthebuggy，andorderedhimtoputthesaddleonthebuckskin。
Why，Idon’tthinkshe’shere，sir，answeredthestableman，glancingintothestalls。No，Iremembernow。Delaneytookheroutjustafterdinner。HisotherhorsewentlameandhewantedtogodownbytheLongTrestletomendthefence。Hestartedout，buthadtocomeback。
Oh，Delaneygother，didhe？
Yes，sir。Hehadacircuswithher，buthebustedherrightenough。Whenitcomestohorse，Delaneycanwipetheeyeofanycow-puncherinthecounty，Iguess。
Hecan，canhe？observedAnnixter。Thenafterasilence，Well，allright，Billy。putmysaddleonwhateveryou’vegothere。I’mgoingovertoLosMuertosthisafternoon。
Wanttolookoutfortherain，Mr。Annixter，remarkedBilly。
Guesswe’llhaverainbeforenight。
I’lltakearubbercoat，answeredAnnixter。Bringthehorseuptotheranchhousewhenyou’reready。
Annixterreturnedtothehousetolookforhisrubbercoatindeepdisgust，notpermittinghimselftoglancetowardthedairy-
houseandtheTrees’cottage。Butashereachedtheporchheheardthetelephoneringinghiscall。ItwasPresley，whorangupfromLosMuertos。HehadheardfromHarranthatAnnixterwas，perhaps，comingoverthatevening。Ifhecame，wouldhemindbringingoverhis——Presley’s——bicycle。HehadleftitattheQuienSaberanchthedaybeforeandhadforgottentocomebackthatwayforit。
Well，objectedAnnixter，asurlynoteinhisvoice，IWAS
goingtoRIDEover。
Oh，nevermind，then，returnedPresleyeasily。Iwastoblameforforgettingit。Don’tbotheraboutit。I’llcomeoversomeofthesedaysandgetitmyself。
Annixterhungupthetransmitterwithavehementwrenchandstampedoutoftheroom，bangingthedoor。Hefoundhisrubbercoathanginginthehallwayandswungintoitwithafiercemovementoftheshouldersthatallbutstartedtheseams。
Everythingseemedtoconspiretothwarthim。Itwasjustlikethatabsent-minded，crazypoet，Presley，toforgethiswheel。
Well，hecouldcomeafterithimself。He，Annixter，wouldrideSOMEhorse，anyhow。WhenhecameoutupontheporchhesawthewheelleaningagainstthefencewherePresleyhadleftit。Ifitstayedtheremuchlongertherainwouldcatchit。Annixterrippedoutanoath。Ateverymomenthisill-humourwasincreasing。Yet，forallthat，hewentbacktothestable，pushingthebicyclebeforehim，andcountermandedhisorder，directingthestablemantogetthebuggyready。HehimselfcarefullystowedPresley’sbicycleundertheseat，coveringitwithacoupleofemptysacksandatarpaulincarriagecover。
Whilehewasdoingthis，thestablemanutteredanexclamationandpausedintheactofbackingthehorseintotheshafts，holdingupahand，listening。
Fromthehollowroofofthebarnandfromthethickvelvet-likepaddingofdustoverthegroundoutside，andfromamongtheleavesofthefewnearbytreesandplantstherecameavast，monotonousmurmurthatseemedtoissuefromallquartersofthehorizonatonce，aprolongedandsubduedrustlingsound，steady，even，persistent。
There’syourrain，announcedthestableman。Thefirstoftheseason。
AndIgottobeoutinit，fumedAnnixter，andIsupposethoseswinewillquitworkonthebigbarnnow。
Whenthebuggywasfinallyready，heputonhisrubbercoat，climbedin，andwithoutwaitingforthestablemantoraisethetop，droveoutintotherain，anew-litcigarinhisteeth。Ashepassedthedairy-house，hesawHilmastandinginthedoorway，holdingoutherhandtotherain，herfaceturnedupwardtowardthegreysky，amusedandinterestedatthisfirstshowerofthewetseason。ShewassoabsorbedthatshedidnotseeAnnixter，andhisclumsynodinherdirectionpassedunnoticed。
Shediditonpurpose，Annixtertoldhimself，chewingfiercelyonhiscigar。Cutsmenow，hey？Well，thisDOESsettleit。
SheleavesthisranchbeforeI’madayolder。
Hedecidedthathewouldputoffhistourofinspectiontillthenextday。Travellinginthebuggyashedid，hemustkeeptotheroadwhichledtoDerrick’s，inveryroundaboutfashion，bywayofGuadalajara。Thisrainwouldreducethethickdustoftheroadtotwofeetofviscidmud。ItwouldtakehimquitethreehourstoreachtheranchhouseonLosMuertos。HethoughtofDelaneyandthebuckskinandgroundhisteeth。Andallthistrouble，ifyouplease，becauseofafoolfeemalegirl。Afinewayforhimtowastehistime。Well，nowhewasdonewithit。
Hisdecisionwastakennow。Sheshouldpack。
Steadilytherainincreased。Therewasnowind。Thethickveilofwetdescendedstraightfromskytoearth，blurringdistantoutlines，spreadingavastsheenofgreyoverallthelandscape。
Itsvolumebecamegreater，theprolongedmurmuringnotetookonadeepertone。AtthegatetotheroadwhichledacrossDyke’shop-fieldstowardGuadalajara，Annixterwasobligedtodescendandraisethetopofthebuggy。Indoingsohecaughtthefleshofhishandinthejointoftheironelbowthatsupportedthetopandpincheditcruelly。Itwasthelastmisery，theculminationofalongtrainofwretchedness。OntheinstanthehatedHilmaTreesofiercelythathissharplysetteethallbutbithiscigarintwo。
Whilehewasgrabbingandwrenchingatthebuggy-top，thewaterfromhishatbrimdrippingdownuponhisnose，thehorse，restiveunderthedrenchoftherain，moveduneasily。
Yah-h-hyou！heshouted，inarticulatewithexasperation。You——
you——Gor-r-r，waittillIgetholdofyou。WHOA，you！
Buttherewasaninterruption。Delaney，ridingthebuckskin，camearoundabendintheroadataslowtrotandAnnixter，gettingintothebuggyagain，foundhimselffacetofacewithhim。
Why，hello，Mr。Annixter，saidhe，pullingup。Kindofsortofwet，isn’tit？
Annixter，hisfacesuddenlyscarlet，satbackinhisplaceabruptly，exclaiming：
Oh——oh，thereyouare，areyou？
I’vebeendownthere，explainedDelaney，withamotionofhisheadtowardtherailroad，tomendthatbreakinthefencebytheLongTrestleandIthoughtwhileIwasaboutitI’dfollowdownalongthefencetowardGuadalajaratoseeiftherewereanymorebreaks。ButIguessit’sallright。
Oh，youguessit’sallright，doyou？observedAnnixterthroughhisteeth。
Why——why——yes，returnedtheother，bewilderedatthetruculentringinAnnixter’svoice。ImendedthatbreakbytheLongTrestlejustnowand——
Well，whydidn’tyoumenditaweekago？shoutedAnnixterwrathfully。I’vebeenlookingforyouallthemorning，Ihave，andwhotoldyouyoucouldtakethatbuckskin？Andthesheepwereallovertherightofwaylastnightbecauseofthatbreak，andherethatfilthypip，S。Behrman，comesdownherethismorningandwantstomaketroubleforme。Suddenlyhecriedout，WhatdoIFEEDyoufor？WhatdoIkeepyouaroundherefor？Thinkit’sjusttofattenupyourcarcass，hey？
Why，Mr。Annixter——beganDelaney。
Anddon’tTALKtome，vociferatedtheother，excitinghimselfwithhisownnoise。Don’tyousayawordtomeeventoapologise。IfI’vespokentoyouonceaboutthatbreak，I’vespokenfiftytimes。
Why，sir，declaredDelaney，beginningtogetindignant，thesheepdiditthemselveslastnight。
ItoldyounottoTALKtome，clamouredAnnixter。
But，say，lookhere——
Getofftheranch。Yougetofftheranch。Andtakingthatbuckskinagainstmyexpressorders。Iwon’thaveyourkindabouttheplace，notmuch。I’measy-goingenough，Lordknows，butI
don’tproposetobeimposedonALLthetime。Packoff，youunderstandanddoitlively。GototheforemanandtellhimI
toldhimtopayyouoffandthenclearout。And，youhearme，
heconcluded，withamenacingoutthrustofhislowerjaw，youhearme，ifIcatchyouhangingaroundtheranchhouseafterthis，orifIsomuchasseeyouonQuienSabe，I’llshowyouthewayoffofit，myfriend，atthetoeofmyboot。Now，then，getoutofthewayandletmepass。
Angrybeyondthepowerofretort，Delaneydrovethespursintothebuckskinandpassedthebuggyinasinglebound。Annixtergatheredupthereinsanddroveonmutteringtohimself，andoccasionallylookingbacktoobservethebuckskinflyingtowardtheranchhouseinaspatteringshowerofmud，Delaneyurgingheron，hisheadbentdownagainstthefallingrain。
Huh，gruntedAnnixterwithgrimsatisfaction，acertainsenseofgoodhumouratlengthreturningtohim，thatjustabouttakesthesaleratusoutofYOURdough，myfriend。
Alittlefartheron，AnnixtergotoutofthebuggyasecondtimetoopenanothergatethatlethimoutupontheUpperRoad，notfardistantfromGuadalajara。ItwastheroadthatconnectedthattownwithBonnevilleandthatranparallelwiththerailroadtracks。Ontheothersideofthetrackhecouldseetheinfiniteextensionofthebrown，barelandofLosMuertos，turningnowtoasoft，moistwelteroffertilityundertheinsistentcaressingoftherain。Thehard，sun-bakedclodsweredecomposing，thecrevicesbetweendrinkingthewetwithaneager，suckingnoise。
Buttheprospectwasdreary。thedistanthorizonswereblottedunderdriftingmistsofrain。theeternalmonotonyoftheearthlayopentothesombrelowskywithoutasingleadornment，withoutasinglevariationfromitsmelancholyflatness。Nearathandthewiresbetweenthetelegraphpolesvibratedwithafainthummingunderthemultitudinousfingeringofthemyriadoffallingdrops，strikingamongthemanddrippingoffsteadilyfromonetoanother。Thepolesthemselvesweredarkandswollenandglisteningwithwet，whilethelittleconesofglassonthetransversebarsreflectedthedullgreylightoftheendoftheafternoon。
AsAnnixterwasabouttodriveon，afreighttrainpassed，comingfromGuadalajara，goingnorthwardtowardBonneville，FresnoandSanFrancisco。Itwasalongtrain，movingslowly，methodically，withameasuredcoughingofitslocomotiveandarhythmiccadenceofitstrucksovertheintersticesoftherails。Ontwoorthreeoftheflatcarsnearitsend，AnnixterplainlysawMagnusDerrick’sploughs，theirbrightcoatingofredandgreenpaintsettingasinglebrilliantnoteinallthisarrayofgreyandbrown。
Annixterhalted，watchingthetrainfilepast，carryingDerrick’sploughsawayfromhisranch，atthisverytimeofthefirstrain，whentheywouldbemostneeded。Hewatchedit，silent，thoughtful，andwithoutarticulatecomment。Evenafteritpassedhesatinhisplacealongtime，watchingitloseitselfslowlyinthedistance，itsprolongedrumblediminishingtoafaintmurmur。SoonheheardtheenginesoundingitswhistlefortheLongTrestle。
ButthemovingtrainnolongercarriedwithitthatimpressionofterroranddestructionthathadsothrilledPresley’simaginationthenightbefore。Itpassedslowlyonitswaywithamournfulrollofwheels，likethepassingofacortege，likeafileofartillery-caissonschariotingdeadbodies。theengine’ssmokeenvelopingitinamournfulveil，leavingasenseofmelancholyinitswake，movingpastthere，lugubrious，lamentable，infinitelysadunderthegreyskyandunderthegreymistofrainwhichcontinuedtofallwithasubdued，rustlingsound，steady，persistent，avastmonotonousmurmurthatseemedtocomefromallquartersofthehorizonatonce。
CHAPTERIII
WhenAnnixterarrivedattheLosMuertosranchhousethatsameevening，hefoundalittlegroupalreadyassembledinthedining-
room。MagnusDerrick，wearingthefrockcoatofbroadcloththathehadputonfortheoccasion，stoodwithhisbacktothefireplace。Harransatcloseathand，onelegthrownoverthearmofhischair。Presleyloungedonthesofa，incorduroysandhighlacedboots，smokingcigarettes。Brodersonleanedonhisfoldedarmsatonecornerofthediningtable，andGenslinger，editorandproprietoroftheprincipalnewspaperofthecounty，theBonnevilleMercury，stoodwithhishatanddrivingglovesunderhisarm，oppositeDerrick，ahalf-emptiedglassofwhiskeyandwaterinhishand。
AsAnnixterenteredheheardGenslingerobserve：I’llhavealeaderinthe’Mercury’to-morrowthatwillinterestyoupeople。
There’ssometalkofyourranchlandsbeinggradedinvaluethiswinter。Isupposeyouwillallbuy？
Inaninstanttheeditor’swordshadriveteduponhimtheattentionofeverymanintheroom。Annixterbrokethemoment’ssilencethatfollowedwiththeremark：
Well，it’sabouttimetheygradedtheselandsoftheirs。
ThequestioninissueinGenslinger’sremarkwasofthemostvitalinteresttotheranchersaroundBonnevilleandGuadalajara。
NeitherMagnusDerrick，Broderson，Annixter，norOstermanactuallyownedalltherancheswhichtheyworked。Asyet，thevastmajorityofthesewheatlandswerethepropertyoftheP。
andS。W。TheexplanationofthisconditionofaffairswentbacktotheearlyhistoryofthePacificandSouthwestern，when，asabonusfortheconstructionoftheroad，thenationalgovernmenthadgrantedtothecompanytheoddnumberedsectionsoflandoneithersideoftheproposedlineofrouteforadistanceoftwentymiles。Indisputably，thesesectionsbelongedtotheP。
andS。W。Theeven-numberedsectionsbeinggovernmentpropertycouldbeandhadbeentakenupbytheranchers，buttherailroadsections，or，astheywerecalled，thealternatesections，
wouldhavetobepurchaseddirectfromtherailroaditself。
ButthishadnotpreventedthefarmersfromcominginuponthatpartoftheSanJoaquin。Longbeforethistherailroadhadthrownopentheselands，and，bymeansofcirculars，distributedbroadcastthroughouttheState，hadexpresslyinvitedsettlementthereon。Atthattimepatentshadnotbeenissuedtotherailroadfortheirodd-numberedsections，butassoonasthelandwaspatentedtherailroadwouldgradeitinvalueandofferitforsale，thefirstoccupantshavingthefirstchanceofpurchase。Thepriceoftheselandswastobefixedbythepricethegovernmentputuponitsownadjoininglands——abouttwodollarsandahalfperacre。
Withcultivationandimprovementtheranchesmustinevitablyappreciateinvalue。Therewaseverychancetomakefortunes。
WhentherailroadlandsaboutBonnevillehadbeenthrownopen，therehadbeenalmostarushinthematterofsettlement，andBroderson，Annixter，Derrick，andOsterman，beingforemostwiththeirclaims，hadsecuredthepickofthecountry。Butthelandoncesettledupon，theP。andS。W。seemedtobeinnohurryastofixingexactlythevalueofitssectionsincludedinthevariousranchesandofferingthemforsale。Thematterdraggedalongfromyeartoyear，wasforgottenformonthstogether，beingonlybroughttomindonsuchoccasionsasthis，whentherumourspreadthattheGeneralOfficewasabouttotakedefiniteactionintheaffair。
Assoonastherailroadwantstotalkbusinesswithme，
observedAnnixter，aboutsellingmetheirinterestinQuienSabe，I’mready。Thelandhasmorethanquadrupledinvalue。I
llbetIcouldsellitto-morrowforfifteendollarsanacre，andifIbuyoftherailroadfortwoandahalfanacre，there’sboodleinthegame。
Fortwoandahalf！exclaimedGenslinger。Youdon’tsupposetherailroadwilllettheirlandgoforanysuchfigureasthat，doyou？Whereverdidyougetthatidea？
Fromthecircularsandpamphlets，answeredHarran，thattherailroadissuedtouswhentheyopenedtheselands。Theyarepledgedtothat。EventheP。andS。W。couldn’tbreaksuchapledgeasthat。Youarenewinthecountry，Mr。Genslinger。Youdon’tremembertheconditionsuponwhichwetookupthisland。
Andourimprovements，exclaimedAnnixter。Why，MagnusandI
haveputaboutfivethousanddollarsbetweenusintothatirrigatingditchalready。Iguesswearenotimprovingthelandjusttomakeitvaluablefortherailroadpeople。Nomatterhowmuchweimprovetheland，orhowmuchitincreasesinvalue，theyhavegottostickbytheiragreementonthebasisoftwo-fiftyperacre。Here’sonecasewheretheP。andS。W。DON’Tgeteverythinginsight。
Genslingerfrowned，perplexed。
IAMnewinthecountry，asHarransays，heanswered，butitseemstomethatthere’snofairnessinthatproposition。Thepresenceoftherailroadhashelpedincreasethevalueofyourranchesquiteasmuchasyourimprovements。Whyshouldyougetallthebenefitoftheriseinvalueandtherailroadnothing？
Thefairwaywouldbetoshareitbetweenyou。
Idon’tcareanythingaboutthat，declaredAnnixter。Theyagreedtochargebuttwo-fifty，andthey’vegottosticktoit。
Well，murmuredGenslinger，fromwhatIknowoftheaffair，I
don’tbelievetheP。andS。W。intendstosellfortwo-fiftyanacre，atall。Themanagersoftheroadwantthebestpricetheycangetforeverythinginthesehardtimes。
Timesaren’teververyhardfortherailroad，hazardsoldBroderson。
Brodersonwastheoldestmanintheroom。Hewasaboutsixty-
fiveyearsofage，venerable，withawhitebeard，hisfigurebentearthwardswithhardwork。
Hewasanarrow-mindedman，painfullyconscientiousinhisstatementslestheshouldbeunjusttosomebody。aslowthinker，unabletoletasubjectdropwhenoncehehadstarteduponit。
Hehadnosoonerutteredhisremarkabouthardtimesthanhewasmovedtoqualifyit。
Hardtimes，herepeated，atroubled，perplexednoteinhisvoice。well，yes——yes。IsupposetheroadDOEShavehardtimes，maybe。Everybodydoes——ofcourse。Ididn’tmeanthatexactly。
Ibelieveinbeingjustandfairtoeverybody。Imeanthatwe’vegottousetheirlinesandpaytheirchargesgoodyearsANDbadyears，theP。andS。W。beingtheonlyroadintheState。Thatis——well，whenIsaytheonlyroad——no，Iwon’tsaytheONLY
road。Ofcoursethereareotherroads。There’stheD。P。andM。
andtheSanFranciscoandNorthPacific，thatrunsuptoUkiah。
Igotabrother-in-lawinUkiah。That’snotmuchofawheatcountryroundUkiahthoughtheyDOgrowSOMEwheatthere，cometothink。ButIguessit’stoofarnorth。Well，ofcoursethereisn’tMUCH。Perhapssixtythousandacresinthewholecounty——ifyouincludebarleyandoats。Idon’tknow。maybeit’snearerfortythousand。Idon’trememberverywell。That’sagoodmanyyearsago。I——
ButAnnixter，attheendofallpatience，turnedtoGenslinger，cuttingshorttheoldman：
Oh，rot！Ofcoursetherailroadwillsellattwo-fifty，hecried。We’vegotthecontracts。
Looktothem，then，Mr。Annixter，retortedGenslingersignificantly，looktothem。Besurethatyouareprotected。
SoonafterthisGenslingertookhimselfaway，andDerrick’sChinamancameintosetthetable。
Whatdoyousupposehemeant？askedBroderson，whenGenslingerwasgone。
Aboutthislandbusiness？saidAnnixter。Oh，Idon’tknow。
Sometomfoolidea。Haven’twegottheirtermsprintedinblackandwhiteintheircirculars？There’stheirpledge。
Oh，astopledges，murmuredBroderson，therailroadisnotalwaysTOOmuchhinderedbythose。
Where’sOsterman？demandedAnnixter，abruptlychangingthesubjectasifitwerenotworthdiscussion。Isn’tthatgoatOstermancomingdownhereto-night？
Youtelephonedhim，didn’tyou，Presley？inquiredMagnus。
PresleyhadtakenPrincessNathalieuponhiskneestrokingherlong，sleekhair，andthecat，stupefiedwithbeatitude，hadclosedhereyestotwofinelines，clawingsoftlyatthecorduroyofPresley’strouserswithalternatepaws。
Yes，sir，returnedPresley。Hesaidhewouldbehere。
Andashespoke，youngOstermanarrived。
Hewasayoungfellow，butsingularlyinclinedtobaldness。Hisears，veryredandlarge，stuckoutatrightanglesfromeithersideofhishead，andhismouth，too，waslarge——agreathorizontalslitbeneathhisnose。Hischeekswereofabrownishred，thecheekbonesalittlesalient。Hisfacewasthatofacomicactor，asingerofsongs，amanneveratalossforananswer，continuallystrivingtomakealaugh。Buthetooknogreatinterestinranchingandleftthemanagementofhislandtohissuperintendentsandforemen，he，himself，livinginBonneville。Hewasaposer，awearerofclothes，foreveractingapart，strivingtocreateanimpression，todrawattentiontohimself。Hewasnotwithoutacertainenergy，buthedevotedittosmallends，toperfectinghimselfinlittleaccomplishments，continuallyrunningaftersomenewthing，incapableofpersistinglonginanyonecourse。Atonemomenthismaniawouldbefencing。thenext，sleight-of-handtricks。thenext，archery。
Forupwardsofonemonthhehaddevotedhimselftolearninghowtoplaytwobanjossimultaneously，thenabandoningthishaddevelopedasuddenpassionforstampedleatherworkandhadmadeaquantityofpurses，tennisbelts，andhatbands，whichhepresentedtoyoungladiesofhisacquaintance。Itwashispolicynevertomakeanenemy。Hewaslikedfarbetterthanhewasrespected。PeoplespokeofhimasthatgoatOsterman，orthatfoolOstermankid，andinvitedhimtodinner。Hewasofthesortwhosomehowcannotbeignored。Ifonlybecauseofhisclamourhemadehimselfimportant。Ifhehadoneabidingtrait，itwashisdesireofastonishingpeople，andinsomeway，bestknowntohimself，managedtocausethecirculationofthemostextraordinarystorieswhereinhe，himself，wasthechiefactor。
Hewasglib，voluble，dexterous，ubiquitous，atelleroffunnystories，acrackerofjokes。
Naturallyenough，hewasheavilyindebt，butcarriedtheburdenofitwithperfectnonchalance。TheyearbeforeS。Behrmanhadheldmortgagesforfullyathirdofhiscropandhadsqueezedhimviciouslyforinterest。Butforallthat，OstermanandS。
Behrmanwerecontinuallyseenarm-in-armonthemainstreetofBonneville。OstermanwasaccustomedtoslapS。Behrmanonhisfatback，declaring：
You’reagoodfellow，oldjelly-belly，afterall，hey？
AsOstermanenteredfromtheporch，afterhanginghiscavalryponchoanddrippinghatontherackoutside，Mrs。Derrickappearedinthedoorthatopenedfromthedining-roomintotheglass-roofedhallwayjustbeyond。Ostermansalutedherwitheffusivecordialityandwithingratiatingblandness。
Iamnotgoingtostay，sheexplained，smilingpleasantlyatthegroupofmen，herpretty，wide-openbrowneyes，withtheirlookofinquiryandinnocence，glancingfromfacetoface，I
onlycametoseeifyouwantedanythingandtosayhowdoyoudo。
ShebegantalkingtooldBroderson，makinginquiriesastohiswife，whohadbeensickthelastweek，andOstermanturnedtothecompany，shakinghandsallaround，keepingupanincessantstreamofconversation。
Hello，boysandgirls。Hello，Governor。Sortofagatheringoftheclansto-night。Well，ifhereisn’tthatmanAnnixter。
Hello，Buck。Whatdoyouknow？Kindofdustyoutto-night。
AtonceAnnixterbegantogetredintheface，retiringtowardsacorneroftheroom，standinginanawkwardpositionbythecaseofstuffedbirds，shamblingandconfused，whileMrs。Derrickwaspresent，standingrigidlyonbothfeet，hiselbowsclosetohissides。ButhewasangrywithOsterman，mutteringimprecationstohimself，horriblyvexedthattheyoungfellowshouldcallhimBuckbeforeMagnus’swife。ThisgoatOsterman！Hadn’theanysense，thatfool？Couldn’theeverlearnhowtobehavebeforeafeemale？CallinghimBucklikethatwhileMrs。Derrickwasthere。Whyastable-boywouldknowbetter。ahiredmanwouldhavebettermanners。
AllthroughthedinnerthatfollowedAnnixterwasoutofsorts，sulkinginhisplace，refusingtoeatbywayofvindicatinghisself-respect，resolvingtobringOstermanupwithasharpturnifhecalledhimBuckagain。
TheChinamanhadmadeacertainkindofplumpuddingfordessert，andAnnixter，whorememberedotherdinnersattheDerrick’s，hadbeensavinghimselfforthis，andhadmeditateduponitallthroughthemeal。Nodoubt，itwouldrestoreallhisgoodhumour，andhebelievedhisstomachwassofarrecoveredastobeabletostandit。
But，unfortunately，thepuddingwasservedwithasaucethatheabhorred——athick，gruel-like，colourlessmixture，madefromplainwaterandsugar。Beforehecouldinterfere，theChinamanhadpouredaquantityofituponhisplate。
Faugh！exclaimedAnnixter。Itmakesmesick。Such——suchSLOOP。Takeitaway。I’llhaveminestraight，ifyoudon’tmind。
That’sgoodforyourstomach，Buck，observedyoungOsterman。
makesitgodownkindofsortofslick。don’tyousee？Sloop，hey？That’sagoodname。
Lookhere，don’tyoucallmeBuck。Youdon’tseemtohaveanysense，and，besides，itISN’Tgoodformystomach。Iknowbetter。WhatdoYOUknowaboutmystomach，anyhow？Justlookingatslooplikethatmakesmesick。
AlittlewhileafterthistheChinamanclearedawaythedessertandbroughtincoffeeandcigars。Thewhiskeybottleandthesyphonofsoda-waterreappeared。Themeneasedthemselvesintheirplaces，pushingbackfromthetable，lightingtheircigars，talkingofthebeginningoftherainsandtheprospectsofariseinwheat。Brodersonbegananelaboratementalcalculation，tryingtosettleinhismindtheexactdateofhisvisittoUkiah，andOstermandidsleight-of-handtrickswithbreadpills。
ButPrincessNathalie，thecat，wasuneasy。Annixterwasoccupyingherownparticularchairinwhichsheslepteverynight。Shecouldnotgotosleep，butspieduponhimcontinually，watchinghiseverymovementwithherlambent，yelloweyes，clearasamber。
Then，atlength，Magnus，whowasattheheadofthetable，movedinhisplace，assumingacertainmagisterialattitude。Well，gentlemen，heobserved，Ihavelostmycaseagainsttherailroad，thegrain-ratecase。Ulsteendecidedagainstme，andnowIhearrumourstotheeffectthatratesforthehaulingofgrainaretobeadvanced。
WhenMagnushadfinished，therewasamoment’ssilence，eachmemberofthegroupmaintaininghisattitudeofattentionandinterest。ItwasHarranwhofirstspoke。
S。Behrmanmanipulatedthewholeaffair。There’sabigdealofsomekindintheair，andifthereis，weallknowwhoisbackofit。S。Behrman，ofcourse，butwho’sbackofhim？It’sShelgrim。
Shelgrim！Thenamefellsquarelyinthemidstoftheconversation，abrupt，grave，sombre，bigwithsuggestion，pregnantwithhugeassociations。Nooneinthegroupwhowasnotfamiliarwithit。noone，forthatmatter，inthecounty，theState，thewholereachoftheWest，theentireUnion，thatdidnotentertainconvictionsastothemanwhocarriedit。agiantfigureintheend-of-the-centuryfinance，aproductofcircumstance，aninevitableresultofconditions，characteristic，typical，symbolicofungovernableforces。IntheNewMovement，theNewFinance，thereorganisationofcapital，theamalgamationofpowers，theconsolidationofenormousenterprises——nooneindividualwasmoreconstantlyintheeyeoftheworld。noonewasmorehated，moredreaded，noonemorecompellingofunwillingtributetohiscommandinggenius，tothecolossalintellectoperatingthewidthofanentirecontinentthanthepresidentandownerofthePacificandSouthwestern。
Idon’tthink，however，hehasmovedyet，saidMagnus。
Thethingforus，then，exclaimedOsterman，istostandfromunderbeforehedoes。
Movedyet！snortedAnnixter。He’sprobablymovedsolongagothatwe’venevernoticedit。
Inanycase，hazardedMagnus，itisscarcelyprobablethatthedeal——whateveritistobe——hasbeenconsummated。Ifweactquickly，theremaybeachance。
Actquickly！How？demandedAnnixter。GoodLord！whatcanyoudo？We’recinchedalready。Itallamountstojustthis：YOU
CAN’TBUCKAGAINSTTHERAILROAD。We’vetrieditandtriedit，andwearestuckeverytime。You，yourself，Derrick，havejustlostyourgrain-ratecase。S。Behrmandidyouup。Shelgrimownsthecourts。He’sgotmenlikeUlsteeninhispocket。He’sgottheRailroadCommissioninhispocket。He’sgottheGovernoroftheStateinhispocket。Hekeepsamillion-dollarlobbyatSacramentoeveryminuteofthetimethelegislatureisinsession。he’sgothisownmenontheflooroftheUnitedStatesSenate。Hehasthewholethingorganisedlikeanarmycorps。
WhatAREyougoingtodo？HesitsinhisofficeinSanFranciscoandpullsthestringsandwe’vegottodance。
But——well——but，hazardedBroderson，butthere’stheInterstateCommerceCommission。Atleastonlong-haulratesthey——
Hoh，yes，theInterstateCommerceCommission，shoutedAnnixter，scornfully，that’sgreat，ain’tit？ThegreatestPunchandJudy。showonearth。It’salmostasgoodastheRailroadCommission。ThereneverwasandthereneverwillbeaCaliforniaRailroadCommissionnotinthepayoftheP。andS。W。
ItistotheRailroadCommission，nevertheless，remarkedMagnus，thatthepeopleoftheStatemustlookforrelief。Thatisouronlyhope。OnceelectCommissionerswhowouldbeloyaltothepeople，andthewholesystemofexcessiveratesfallstotheground。
Well，whynotHAVEaRailroadCommissionofourown，then？
suddenlydeclaredyoungOsterman。
Becauseitcan’tbedone，retortedAnnixter。YOUCAN’TBUCK
AGAINSTTHERAILROADandifyoucouldyoucan’torganisethefarmersintheSanJoaquin。Wetrieditonce，anditwasenoughtoturnyourstomach。TherailroadquietlyboughtdelegatesthroughS。Behrmananddidusup。
Well，that’sthegametoplay，saidOstermandecisively，buydelegates。
It’stheonlygamethatseemstowin，admittedHarrangloomily。
Oreverwillwin，exclaimedOsterman，asuddenexcitementseemingtotakepossessionofhim。Hisface——thefaceofacomicactor，withitsgreatslitofmouthandstiff，redears——wentabruptlypink。
Lookhere，hecried，thisthingisgettingdesperate。We’vefoughtandfoughtinthecourtsandoutandwe’vetriedagitationand——andalltherestofitandS。Behrmansacksuseverytime。
Nowcomesthetimewhenthere’saprospectofabigcrop。we’vehadnorainfortwoyearsandthelandhashadalongrest。Ifthereisanyrainatallthiswinter，we’llhaveabonanzayear，andjustatthisverymomentwhenwe’vegotourchance——achancetopayoffourmortgagesandgetclearofdebtandmakeastrike——
hereisShelgrimmakingadealtocinchusandputuprates。
Andnowhere’stheprimariescomingoffandanewRailroadCommissiongoingin。That’swhyShelgrimchosethistimetomakehisdeal。IfwewaittillShelgrimpullsitoff，we’redonefor，that’sflat。Itellyouwe’reinafixifwedon’tkeepaneyeopen。Thingsaregettingdesperate。MagnushasjustsaidthatthekeytothewholethingistheRailroadCommission。Well，whynothaveaCommissionofourown？Nevermindhowwegetit，let’sgetit。Ifit’sgottobebought，let’sbuyitandputourownmenonitanddictatewhattherateswillbe。Supposeitcostsahundredthousanddollars。Well，we’llgetbackmorethanthatincheaprates。
Mr。Osterman，saidMagnus，fixingtheyoungmanwithaswiftglance，Mr。Osterman，youareproposingaschemeofbribery，sir。
Iamproposing，repeatedOsterman，aschemeofbribery。
Exactlyso。
Andacrazy，wild-eyedschemeatthat，saidAnnixtergruffly。
EvensupposingyouboughtaRailroadCommissionandgotyourscheduleoflowrates，whathappens？TheP。andS。W。crowdgetoutaninjunctionandtieyouup。
Theywouldtiethemselvesup，too。Haulingatlowratesisbetterthannohaulingatall。Thewheathasgottobemoved。
Oh，rot！criedAnnixter。Aren’tyouevergoingtolearnanysense？Don’tyouknowthatcheaptransportationwouldbenefittheLiverpoolbuyersandnotus？Can’titbeFEDintoyouthatyoucan’tbuckagainsttherailroad？WhenyoutrytobuyaBoardofCommissionersdon’tyouseethatyou’llhavetobidagainsttherailroad，bidagainstacorporationthatcanchuckoutmillionstoourthousands？DoyouthinkyoucanbidagainsttheP。andS。W。？
Therailroaddon’tneedtoknowweareinthegameagainstthemtillwe’vegotourmenseated。
Andwhenyou’vegotthemseated，what’stopreventthecorporationbuyingthemrightoveryourhead？
Ifwe’vegottherightkindofmenintheycouldnotbeboughtthatway，interposedHarran。Idon’tknowbutwhatthere’ssomethinginwhatOstermansays。We’dhavethenamingoftheCommissionandwe’dnamehonestmen。
Annixterstruckthetablewithhisfistinexasperation。
Honestmen！heshouted。thekindofmenyoucouldgettogointosuchaschemewouldhavetobeDIS-honesttobeginwith。
Broderson，shiftinguneasilyinhisplace，fingeringhisbeardwithavague，uncertaingesture，spokeagain：
ItwouldbetheCHANCEofthem——ourCommissioners——sellingoutagainstthecertaintyofShelgrimdoingusup。Thatis，hehastenedtoadd，ALMOSTacertainty。prettynearacertainty。
Ofcourse，itwouldbeachance，exclaimedOsterman。Butit’scometothepointwherewe’vegottotakechances，riskabigstaketomakeabigstrike，andriskisbetterthansurefailure。
Icanbenopartytoaschemeofavowedbriberyandcorruption，Mr。Osterman，declaredMagnus，aringofseverityinhisvoice。
Iamsurprised，sir，thatyoushouldevenbroachthesubjectinmyhearing。
And，criedAnnixter，itcan’tbedone。
Idon’tknow，mutteredHarran，maybeitjustwantsalittlesparklikethistofirethewholetrain。
Magnusglancedathissoninconsiderablesurprise。HehadnotexpectedthisofHarran。Butsogreatwashisaffectionforhisson，soaccustomedhadhebecometolisteningtohisadvice，torespectinghisopinions，that，forthemoment，afterthefirstshockofsurpriseanddisappointment，hewasinfluencedtogiveacertaindegreeofattentiontothisnewproposition。Heinnowaycountenancedit。AtanymomenthewaspreparedtoriseinhisplaceanddenounceitandOstermanboth。Itwastrickeryofthemostcontemptibleorder，athinghebelievedtobeunknowntotheoldschoolofpoliticsandstatesmanshiptowhichhewasproudtobelong。butsinceHarran，evenforonemoment，consideredit，he，Magnus，whotrustedHarranimplicitly，woulddolikewise——ifitwasonlytoopposeanddefeatitinitsverybeginnings。
Andabruptlythediscussionbegan。GraduallyOsterman，bydintofhisclamour，hisstridentreiteration，theplausibilityofhisglib，readyassertions，theeasewithwhichheextricatedhimselfwhenapparentlydriventoacorner，completelywonoveroldBrodersontohiswayofthinking。Ostermanbewilderedhimwithhisvolubility，thelightningrapiditywithwhichheleapedfromonesubjecttoanother，garrulous，witty，flamboyant，terrifyingtheoldmanwithpicturesoftheswiftapproachofruin，theimminenceofdanger。
Annixter，wholedtheargumentagainsthim——lovingargumentthoughhedid——appearedtopooradvantage，unabletopresenthissideeffectively。HecalledOstermanafool，agoat，asenseless，crazy-headedjackass，butwasunabletorefutehisassertions。Hisdebatewastheclumsyheavingofbrickbats，brutal，direct。HecontradictedeverythingOstermansaidasamatterofprinciple，madeconflictingassertions，declarationsthatwereabsolutelyinconsistent，andwhenOstermanorHarranusedtheseagainsthim，couldonlyexclaim：
Well，inawayit’sso，andthenagaininawayitisn’t。
ButsuddenlyOstermandiscoveredanewargument。Ifweswingthisdeal，hecried，we’vegotoldjelly-bellyBehrmanrightwherewewanthim。
He’sthemanthatdoesuseverytime，criedHarran。Ifthereisdirtyworktobedoneinwhichtherailroaddoesn’twishtoappear，itisS。Behrmanwhodoesit。Ifthefreightratesaretobe’adjusted’tosqueezeusalittleharder，itisS。Behrmanwhoregulateswhatwecanstand。Ifthere’sajudgetobebought，itisS。Behrmanwhodoesthebargaining。Ifthereisajurytobebribed，itisS。Behrmanwhohandlesthemoney。Ifthereisanelectiontobejobbed，itisS。Behrmanwhomanipulatesit。It’sBehrmanhereandBehrmanthere。ItisBehrmanwecomeagainsteverytimewemakeamove。ItisBehrmanwhohasthegripofusandwillneverletgotillhehassqueezedusbonedry。Why，whenIthinkofitallsometimesIwonderI
keepmyhandsofftheman。
Ostermangotonhisfeet。leaningacrossthetable，gesturingwildlywithhisrighthand，hisserio-comicface，withitsbaldforeheadandstiff，redears，wasinflamedwithexcitement。Hetookthefloor，creatinganimpression，attractingallattentiontohimself，playingtothegallery，gesticulating，clamourous，fullofnoise。
Well，nowisyourchancetogeteven，hevociferated。Itisnowornever。YoucantakeitandsavethesituationforyourselvesandallCaliforniaoryoucanleaveitandrotonyourownranches。Buck，Iknowyou。Iknowyou’renotafraidofanythingthatwearsskin。Iknowyou’vegotsandallthroughyou，andIknowifIshowedyouhowwecouldputourdealthroughandseataCommissionofourown，youwouldn’thangback。
Governor，you’reabraveman。Youknowtheadvantageofpromptandfearlessaction。Youarenotthesorttoshrinkfromtakingchances。Toplayforbigstakesisjustyourgame——tostakeafortuneontheturnofacard。Youdidn’tgetthereputationofbeingthestrongestpokerplayerinElDoradoCountyfornothing。
Now，here’sthebiggestgamblethatevercameyourway。Ifwestanduptoitlikemenwithgutsinus，we’llwinout。Ifwehesitate，we’relost。
Idon’tsupposeyoucanhelpplayingthegoat，Osterman，
remarkedAnnixter，butwhat’syouridea？Whatdoyouthinkwecando？I’mnotsaying，hehastenedtointerpose，thatyou’veanywaysconvincedmebyallthiscackling。Iknowaswellasyouthatweareinahole。ButIknewthatbeforeIcamehereto-
night。YOU’VEnotdoneanythingtomakemechangemymind。Butjustwhatdoyoupropose？Let’shearit。
Well，IsaythefirstthingtodoistoseeDisbrow。He’sthepoliticalbossoftheDenver，Pueblo，andMojaveroad。Wewillhavetogetinwiththemachinesomewayandthat’sparticularlywhyIwantMagnuswithus。Heknowspoliticsbetterthananyofusandifwedon’twanttogetsoldagainwewillhavetohavesomeonethat’sintheknowtosteerus。
TheonlypoliticsIunderstand，Mr。Osterman，answeredMagnussternly，arehonestpolitics。Youmustlookelsewhereforyourpoliticalmanager。Irefusetohaveanypartinthismatter。IftheRailroadCommissioncanbenominatedlegitimately，ifyourarrangementscanbemadewithoutbribery，Iamwithyoutothelastiotaofmyability。
Well，youcan’tgetwhatyouwantwithoutpayingforit，
contradictedAnnixter。
BrodersonwasabouttospeakwhenOstermankickedhisfootunderthetable。He，himself，heldhispeace。HewasquicktoseethatifhecouldinvolveMagnusandAnnixterinanargument，Annixter，forthemereloveofcontention，wouldopposetheGovernorand，withoutknowingit，wouldcommithimselftohis——
Osterman’s——scheme。
Thiswaspreciselywhathappened。InafewmomentsAnnixterwasdeclaringattopvoicehisreadinesstomortgagethecropofQuienSabe，ifnecessary，forthesakeofbustingS。Behrman。
HecouldseenogreatobstacleinthewayofcontrollingthenominatingconventionsofarassecuringthenamingoftwoRailroadCommissionerswasconcerned。Twowasalltheyneeded。
ProbablyitWOULDcostmoney。Youdidn’tgetsomethingfornothing。Itwouldcostthemallagooddealmoreiftheysatlikelumpsonalogandplayedtiddledy-winkswhileShelgrimsoldoutfromunderthem。Thentherewasthis，too：theP。andS。W。
werehardupjustthen。TheshortageontheState’swheatcropforthelasttwoyearshadaffectedthem，too。Theywereretrenchinginexpendituresallalongtheline。Hadn’ttheyjustcutwagesinalldepartments？TherewasthisaffairofDyke’stoproveit。Therailroaddidn’talwaysactasaunit，either。
Therewasalwaysapartyinitthatopposedspendingtoomuchmoney。Hewouldbetthatpartywasstrongjustnow。HewaskindofsickhimselfofbeingkickedbyS。Behrman。Hadn’tthatpipturneduponhisranchthatverydaytobullyhimabouthisownlinefence？Nexthewouldbetellinghimwhatkindofclothesheoughttowear。Harranhadtherightidea。Somebodyhadgottobebustedmightysoonnowandhedidn’tproposethatitshouldbehe。
Nowyouaretalkingsomethinglikesense，observedOsterman。
Ithoughtyouwouldseeitlikethatwhenyougotmyidea。
Youridea，YOURidea！criedAnnixter。Why，I’vehadthisideamyselfforoverthreeyears。
WhataboutDisbrow？askedHarran，hasteningtointerrupt。WhydowewanttoseeDisbrow？
DisbrowisthepoliticalmanfortheDenver，Pueblo，andMojave，answeredOsterman，andyouseeit’slikethis：theMojaveroaddon’trunupintothevalleyatall。Theirterminusiswaytothesouthofus，andtheydon’tcareanythingaboutgrainratesthroughtheSanJoaquin。Theydon’tcarehowanti-
railroadtheCommissionis，becausetheCommission’srulingscan’taffectthem。ButtheydividetrafficwiththeP。andS。W。
inthesouthernpartoftheStateandtheyhaveagooddealofinfluencewiththatroad。IwanttogettheMojaveroad，throughDisbrow，torecommendaCommissionerofourchoosingtotheP。
andS。W。andhavetheP。andS。W。adopthimastheirown。
Who，forinstance？
Darrell，thatLosAngelesman——remember？
Well，DarrellisnoparticularfriendofDisbrow，saidAnnixter。WhyshouldDisbrowtakehimup？
PREE-cisely，criedOsterman。WemakeitworthDisbrow’swhiletodoit。Wegotohimandsay，’Mr。Disbrow，youmanagethepoliticsfortheMojaverailroad，andwhatyousaygoeswithyourBoardofDirectors。WewantyoutoadoptourcandidateforRailroadCommissionerforthethirddistrict。Howmuchdoyouwantfordoingit？’IKNOWwecanbuyDisbrow。ThatgivesusoneCommissioner。Weneednotbotheraboutthatanymore。Inthefirstdistrictwedon’tmakeanymoveatall。WeletthepoliticalmanagersoftheP。andS。W。nominatewhoevertheylike。Thenweconcentratealloureffortstoputtinginourmanintheseconddistrict。Thereiswherethebigfightwillcome。
Iseeperfectlywellwhatyoumean，Mr。Osterman，observedMagnus，butmakenomistake，sir，astomyattitudeinthisbusiness。Youmaycountmeasoutofitentirely。
Well，supposewewin，putinAnnixtertruculently，alreadyacknowledginghimselfasinvolvedintheproposedundertaking。
supposewewinandgetlowratesforhaulinggrain。Howaboutyou，then？YoucountyourselfINthen，don’tyou？Yougetallthebenefitoflowerrateswithoutsharinganyoftheriskswetaketosecurethem。No，noranyoftheexpense，either。No，youwon’tdirtyyourfingerswithhelpingusputthisdealthrough，butyouwon’tbesocursedparticularwhenitcomestosharingtheprofits，willyou？
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