kidway, until, speaking as if he commanded the
universe, the Colonel ordered them off. They didn't go, however; and I
really thought he would have a fit when one of them said with a grin,
'Light out of this, and be quick. Don't you know you're trespassing?'

"Colonel Carrington turned his back on them, and bade us run out the
trolley along the wooden way; and I did so, against my judgment, for one
of the men looked ugly, and my master wasn't exactly a favorite. The other
fellow was busy with the axe, and when he gave me a warning to get out I
proceeded to act upon it--which was fortunate, for a big hemlock came down
on the trolley, and all that was left of it wasn't worth picking up.
Colonel Carrington doesn't usually give himself away, but he swore
vividly, and I went with him the next day into the timber city. It's
getting a big place already. He stalked into the land agent's office with
a patronizing air, and then said with his usual frigidity:

"'Who owns the timber lots about the Day Spring? I'm going to buy them.'

"'You can't do it,' said the agent. 'My client won't sell, and wants to
give you warning that he doesn't like trespassing.'

"'That means he wants a big price,' said the Colonel, looking at the map.
'What's his figure?'

"And the agent grinned as he answered, 'For the piece you require for the
ore-dump, ten thousand dollars.'

"'He is mad,' said the Colonel, 'perfectly stark mad. Tell him I shall
dump my refuse on it, if I have to finance somebody to locate a mineral
claim. What is the name of this lunatic?'

"'Martin Lorimer,' said the agent. 'The crown in that case gives you the
minerals; but before you put a pick into the ground you must meet all
demands for compensation--and they'll be mighty heavy ones. My client is
also prepared to collect them by the best legal assistance that money can
buy, and I guess you've given him a useful hint.'

"My respected chief just walked out; but I think he was troubled at the
name," said Calvert. "And after that there was some fresh difficulty every
week, while his temper, which was never a good one, got perfectly awful,
until I came away. He'll go off in a fit of apoplexy or paralytic seizure
when his passion breaks loose some day."

Calvert furnished other particulars before he resumed his eastward
journey, leaving me with much to ponder. An actively worked mine is a
public benefit, and its owners usually have free access and privilege upon
the adjacent