side
of peace. In fact, we authorised Macpherson to buy peace at any price in
reason, and we'll give you the same authority. But Macpherson always
represented the old cattle king as being unapproachable on that side. On
the other hand, we all know what Macpherson was. He had a pretty rough
tongue when he was at his best; and he was in bad health for a long time
before the derrick fell on him. I dare say he didn't try diplomacy."

"I'll make love to the cow-punching princesses," laughed Ballard; "that
is, if there are any."

"There is one, I understand; but I believe she doesn't spend much of her
time at home. The old man is a widower, and, apart from his senseless
fight on the company, he appears to be--but I won't prejudice you in
advance."

"No, don't," said Ballard. "I'll size things up for myself on the
ground. I----"

The interruption was the dash of a switch-engine up the yard with
another car to be coupled to the waiting mountain line train. Ballard
saw the lettering on the medallion: "08".

"Somebody's private hotel?" he remarked.

"Yes. It's Mr. Brice's car, I guess. He was in town to-day."

Ballard was interested at once.

"Mr. Richard Brice?--the general manager of the D. & U. P.?"

The president nodded.

"That's great luck," said Ballard, warmly. "We were classmates in the
Institute, and I haven't seen him since he came West. I think I'll ride
in the Naught-eight till bedtime."

"Glad you know him," said the president. "Get in a good word for our
railroad connection with his line at Alta Vista, while you're about it.
There is your signal; good-by, and good luck to you. Don't
forget--'drive' is the word; for every man, minute, and dollar there is
in it."

Ballard shook the presidential hand and swung up to the platform of the
private car. A reluctant porter admitted him, and thus it came about
that he did not see the interior of his own sleeper until long after the
other passengers had gone to bed.

"Good load to-night, John?" he said to the porter, when, the private car
visit being ended, the man was showing him to his made-down berth.

"Yes, sah; mighty good for de branch. But right smart of dem is ladies,
and dey don't he'p de po' portah much."

"Well, I'll pay for one of them, anyway," said the Kentuckian,
good-naturedly doubling his tip. "Be sure you rout me out bright and
early; I want to get ahead of the crowd."

And he wound his watch and went to bed, serenely unconscious that the