aid Kendrick, still grinning, but rather sheepishly. "How
be you? Got quite a band aboard, ain't I."

"Hello!" cried Hallet. "It's Ros himself! Ros, you're all RIGHT!
Hi, boys! let's give three cheers for the feller that don't toady to
nobody--millionaires nor nobody else--hooray for Ros Paine!"

The cheering that followed was not quite as loud as the previous
outburst--some of the "gang" may have noticed my attitude and
expression--but it was loud enough. Involuntarily I glanced toward the
Colton mansion. I saw no one at the windows or on the veranda, and I was
thankful for that. The blood rushed to my face. I was so angry that, for
the moment, I could not speak.

Tim Hallet appeared to consider my silence and my crimson cheeks as
acknowledgments of the compliment just paid me.

"Cal'late they heard that over yonder," he crowed. "Don't you think so,
Ros. We've showed 'em what we think of you; now let's give our opinion
of them. Three groans for old Colton! Come on!"

Even Zeb seemed to consider this as going too far, for he protested.

"Hold on, Tim!" he cautioned. "A joke's a joke, but that's a little too
much; ain't it, Ros."

"Too much be darned!" scoffed Hallet. "We'll show 'em! Now, boys!"

The groans were not given. I sprang into the road, seized the horse by
the bridle and backed the wagon into the bank. Tim, insecurely balanced,
fell off the seat and joined his comrades on the cart floor.

"Hi!" shouted the startled driver. "What you doin', Ros? What's that
for?"

"You go back where you come from," I ordered. "Turn around. Get out of
here!"

I saved him the trouble by completing the turn. When I dropped the
bridle the horse's head was pointing toward the Lower Road.

"Now get out of here!" I repeated. "Go back where you come from."

"But--but, Ros," protested Zeb, "I don't want to go back. I'm goin' to
the shore."

"Then you'll have to go some other way. You can't cross my property."

Hallet, on his knees, looked out over the seat.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked, angrily. "Didn't you say the
town could use this Lane?"

"Yes. Any one may use it as long as he behaves himself. When he doesn't
behave he forfeits the privilege. Kendrick, you hear me! Go back."

"But I don't want to go back, Ros. If I do I'll have to go clear round
by Myrick's, two mile out of my way."

"You should have thought of that before you brought that crowd with
you. I won't have this Lane made a public nuisanc