nd the man who fails to sell in good season for twelve cents shall
receive eleven and one-half. You had not better go into Thompson's
territory."

"I'll go thar too," said Tom, "an' I'll even go to old Jim Thompson's
house. He can't hurt anybody yet, an' Al's off on a trip right now, so
they's nuthin' to be skeered of."

"I won't make the offer to Thompson at this time, Tom; it would be no
use. He'd rather sell for one cent than accept assistance from us."

"All right, I hain't a-keerin' much 'bout foolin' 'round thar, anyhow."

"Be off, then!"

The two men were still parleying with Peter, in an effort to purchase
his tobacco, but he was holding very high above them.

"No," he said, "I'll not take seven nor eight."

"My last offer is nine," said one.

"But I'm offered ten."

"I'll take what you have for ten," said the second.

"I'm offered eleven," said Peter, smiling.

The two purchasers turned in disgust and went their way, considerably
discouraged at the outcome of their trip. It was the same everywhere.
"I'm offered one cent more," was all they could hear. They were unable
to make out as to who had got in ahead of them to offer more, and they
could not reconcile this condition with Wade's whispered conversation
with Peter Judson. Every place they visited they received the same
reply, so they turned back to Hopkinsville with dejected countenances.
When they had departed from Judson's, the old man turned to Wade and
said, "Boy, what do you mean, anyway? Do ye expect ter fight ther great
trusts?" Peter smiled.

"For this season I do. There is only one way to win a battle, and that
way is to fight. Can't you see the result already? We shall get twelve
cents for our tobacco, where you have been getting only six. If it works
out all right, I'll offer more next season, and Nightriding will be
forever done away with and peace will reign among the farmers of this
rich country. Do you see it all?"

Peter did see it, and was very enthusiastic.

"Ye air a brick, Jack," he said. "I always knowed that ye had a great
head an' was sent into this kintry to save ther poor devils who
couldn't save themselves, 'cause hit'll work, an' they'll be back fer
the terbacker at twelve cents afore long, shore. They got ter git this
terbacker or go busted an' quit. Tom'll not quit ridin' till he's told
every farmer plum to t'other side o' ther hill an' back. Whoop, let 'er
go, we'll down 'em yet!"

Old Peter threw his hat high