devil in
fly-time--which I ain't, Parker, No, I ain't I want you and me should be
good friends and bus'ness men together, which we ain't been so far, all
on account of a misunderstandin'. Now, you're goin' to find me square
and honest and open."

Ward looked at the young man eagerly and waited as tho for some
encouraging word.

"Even under the circumstances in which you have placed me, not only
on my personal account but with my employers, by destroying their
property," said Parker, after pondering a moment, "I am ready to talk
business with you if you are now ready to talk it."

"Well, let's say that we can talk it all nice and friendly. Won't you
say that you'll talk it all nice and friendly?" He had Hackett in the
corner of his eye, as tho soliciting that individual to take careful
note of the conversation.

"The fact is, Colonel Ward," replied the engineer, "human nature isn't
to be driven to and fro quite like an ox team. What I mean by that is,
I might say, 'Go to, now! Be friends!'--say that to myself. But that
wouldn't make me feel friendly--not in present circumstances. But I'm
going to say to you that I'd like to be friends, and if you will start
in now and show me some reason why we should be friends I'll give you my
word to come more than half way."

"Wal, that sounds reasonable and as much as any one can expect on short
notice," broke in Hackett, who sat straining his attention.

"You shut up, Hackett," roared the colonel, who realized Parker's mental
reservation better than his man Friday. "I'll show ye all in good time
why we should be friends, Parker," he went on, addressing the engineer.
"But first of all I'll show ye how much it is goin' to hurt me to have
that railroad built acrost Poquette. And when I show you that, then
you'll understand what the trouble was that you and me didn't start
in on the basis of good friends. I tell ye, Parker, it's a serious
proposition for me and my associates. I can tell ye just why that road
can't and mustn't be built."

The old man straddled his legs, leaned forward and set his right
forefinger into his left palm with the confident air of one who is
prepared to prove his contentions.

"I say," he went on, "that the road must not be built, and as a business
man--"

"Colonel Ward," broke in Parker, mildly yet firmly, "if that line of
talk is what you are proposing to me I think I'd better tell you at the
start that you'll have to take the question of whethe