in this district."

"Got anything left?"

"Not a cent."

"What are you going to do?"

"Do!" cried the old woodsman, the fire springing to his eye. "Do! I'm
going into the woods, by God! I'm going to work with my hands, and be
happy! I'm going to do other men's work for them and take other men's
pay. Let them do the figuring and worrying. I'll boss their gangs and
make their roads and see to their logging for 'em, but it's got to be
THEIRS. No! I'm going to be a free man by the G. jumping Moses!"

Chapter XIV

Thorpe dedicated a musing instant to the incongruity of rejoicing over a
freedom gained by ceasing to be master and becoming servant.

"Radway," said he suddenly, "I need money and I need it bad. I think
you ought to get something out of this job of the M. & D.--not much, but
something. Will you give me a share of what I can collect from them?"

"Sure!" agreed the jobber readily, with a laugh. "Sure! But you won't
get anything. I'll give you ten per cent quick."

"Good enough!" cried Thorpe.

"But don't be too sure you'll earn day wages doing it," warned the
other. "I saw Daly when I was down here last week."

"My time's not valuable," replied Thorpe. "Now when we get to town I
want your power of attorney and a few figures, after which I will not
bother you again."

The next day the young man called for the second time at the little
red-painted office under the shadow of the mill, and for the second time
stood before the bulky power of the junior member of the firm.

"Well, young man, what can I do for you?" asked the latter.

"I have been informed," said Thorpe without preliminary, "that you
intend to pay John Radway nothing for the work done on the Cass Branch
this winter. Is that true?"

Daly studied his antagonist meditatively. "If it is true, what is it to
you?" he asked at length.

"I am acting in Mr. Radway's interest."

"You are one of Radway's men?"

"Yes."

"In what capacity have you been working for him?"

"Cant-hook man," replied Thorpe briefly.

"I see," said Daly slowly. Then suddenly, with an intensity of energy
that startled Thorpe, he cried: "Now you get out of here! Right off!
Quick!"

The younger man recognized the compelling and autocratic boss addressing
a member of the crew.

"I shall do nothing of the kind!" he replied with a flash of fire.

The mill-owner leaped to his feet every inch a leader of men. Thorpe did
not wish to bring about an actual scene o