."

Steve looked his surprise.

"Surely," he said wonderingly, "you don't want me to give you the ranch
just because you happen to hold the mortgages on it?"

"Business is business, Stephen," said the old man sternly. "Sometimes,
between Packards, business is hell. It'd be that for you. I've
started out to get this outfit an' I'd get it. An' doin' it I'd be
wastin' my time besides breakin' you all to smithereens. Better drop
it."

Steve had hardly expected this. But he answered calmly, even lightly.

"I think I'd like a try at holding it."

"That's two things," old man Packard said crisply. "Number three is
this here: Blenham tells, me you've put Royce in as foreman under you?"

"I offered him the place. He could have it yet if he wanted it. But
he refused. I've passed the job on to a man named Barbee."

"Barbee!" cried the old man. "Barbee! That yellow canary-bird?
Meaning him?"

"Yes," retorted Steve a trifle stiffly. "Anything wrong with him?"

"I didn't roll them fifty miles to talk about jay-birds an'
canary-birds an' such," growled his grandfather. "But here's one thing
I've got to say: This ranch is goin' to be mine real soon; that's in
the cards, face up. It's as good as mine now. I've been runnin' it
myself for six months. I want it right, hear me? What do you know
about running a big outfit? What does a kid without whiskers like
Barbee know about it? Think I want it all run down in the heel when it
comes to me? No, sir! I don't. Blenham knows the lay of the land,
Blenham knows my ways, Blenham knows how to run things. I want you to
put Blenham back on the job!"

Steve bit his lip, holding back a hot reply.

"Grandfather," he said slowly, "suppose we take a little more time in
getting squared around? I want to do what's right; I know that you
want to do what's fair and square. I am willing to consult you about
ranch matters; I'll come to you for advice, if you'll let me; I'll try
to keep the ranch up to time and"--with a smile--"in my hands and out
of yours. That's a good sporting proposition. But as for Blenham----"

"Put him back as foreman and I'll talk fair with you. I want Blenham
back here, Stephen. Understand that?"

"And," cried Steve a trifle heatedly at last, "I tell you that I am
going to run the ranch myself. And that I don't like Blenham."

"Damn it," cried the old man violently, "hear the boy! Don't like
Blenham, huh? Goin' to run the ranch yourse