by means which no man knows creep up and down the waste of grass, until
they put on speed and roll in a surf of flame before a sudden breeze.
Still, nobody was anxious about them, for the guarding furrows that
would oppose a space of dusty soil to the march of the flame had been
plowed round every homestead at Silverdale.

Maud Barrington was at the piano and her voice was good, while Winston,
who had known what it is to toil from red dawn to sunset without hope
of more than daily food, found the simple song she had chosen chime
with his mood. "All day long the reapers."

A faint staccato drumming that rose from the silent prairie throbbed
through the final chords of it, and when the music ceased, swelled into
the gallop of a horse. It seemed in some curious fashion portentous,
and when there was a rattle and jingle outside other eyes than
Winston's were turned towards the door. It swung open presently and
Dane came in. There was quiet elation and some diffidence in his
bronzed face as he turned to Colonel Barrington.

"I could not get away earlier from the settlement, sir, but I have
great news," he said. "They have awoke to the fact that stocks are
getting low in the old country. Wheat moved up at Winnipeg, and there
was almost a rush to buy yesterday."

There was a sudden silence, for among those present were men who
remembered the acres of good soil they had not plowed, but a little
grim smile crept into their leader's face.

"It is," he said quietly, "too late for most of us. Still, we will not
grudge you your good fortune, Dane. You and a few of the others owe it
to Courthorne."

Every eye was on the speaker, for it had become known among his
neighbors that he had sold for a fall; but Barrington could lose
gracefully. Then both his niece and Dane looked at Winston with a
question in their eyes.

"Yes," he said very quietly, "it is the turning of the tide."

He crossed over to Barrington, who smiled at him dryly as he said, "It
is a trifle soon to admit that I was wrong."

Winston made a gesture of almost impatient deprecation. "I was
wondering how far I might presume, sir. You have forward wheat to
deliver?"

"I have," said Barrington, "unfortunately a good deal. You believe the
advance will continue?"

"Yes," said Winston simply. "It is but the beginning, and there will
be a reflux before the stream sets in. Wait a little, sir, and then
telegraph your broker to cover all your contrac