one another. They were a
somewhat mixed company--several speculators from the cities, two
credited with political influence; well-educated Englishmen, who had
purchased land in the hope of combining sport with cattle raising; and
wiry axemen, who lived in rough surroundings while they drove their
clearings further into the forest, field by field.

"Then I'll start right off with business," said a city man. "I bought
land up yonder and signed papers backing you. I thought there would be
a boom in the valley when you got through, but I've heard some talk
lately to the effect that the river is going to beat you, and, in any
case, you're making slow headway. What I, what we all, want to know
is, when you're going to have the undertaking completed."

Applause and a whispering followed, and another man said, "Our
sentiments exactly! Guess you've seen _The Freespeaker's_ article!"

"I have," Savine acknowledged coolly. "It suggested that I have no
intention of carrying out my agreement, that I am hoodwinking the
authorities for some indefinite purpose mysteriously connected with
maintaining our present provincial rulers in power. The thing's absurd
on the face of it, when I'm spending my money like water, and you ought
to know me better. I won't even get the comparatively insignificant
bonus until the work is finished."

Several of the listeners rapped upon the table, one or two growled
suspiciously, and a big sunburnt Englishman stood up. "We'll let the
article in question pass," he said. "It is clearly written with
personal animus. As you say, we know you better; but see here, Savine,
this is going to be a serious business for us if you fail. We've
helped you with free labor, hauled your timber in, lent you oxen, and,
in fact, done almost everything, besides giving you our bonds for a
good many dollars and signing full approval of your scheme. By doing
this we have barred ourselves from encouraging the other fellows'
plans."

After similar but less complimentary speeches had been made, Thurston,
who had been whispering to Savine, claimed attention. He cast a
searching glance round the assembly. "Any sensible man could see that
the opposition scheme is impracticable," he declared. "I am afraid
some of you have been sent here well primed."

His last remark was perhaps combatant rashness, or possibly a
premeditated attempt to force the listeners to reveal their actual
sentiments. If he wished to get at