"My colleague," he began (preserving the formality of the Delta Society debates), "has told you of the ring that has controlled the officers of this county for so long, but he hasn't told you of the inside facts. I aint fightin' in this campaign to put the town people out and the farmers in; I'm fightin' to put thieves out and honest men in." This was a blow straight out from the shoulder and was followed by great applause. But a few voices cried: "Take that back!" "I won't take anything back that I know is the truth." "Yes, you will! That's a lie, an' you know it!" shouted an excited man a short distance away. "Let me tell you a story," Bradley went on slowly. "Last session of court a friend of mine was on the jury. When court adjourned, he took his order on the county to the treasurer and asked for his pay. The treasurer said, 'I'm sorry, but they aint any funds left for the jurors' fees.' "'Can't you give me some out of some other fund?' "'No, that won't do--can't do that.' "'Well, when will yeh have some money in?' "'Well, it's hard tellin'--in two or three months, probably.' "'Well, I'd like the money on this order. I need it. Can't I git somebody to cash it for me?' "'Well, I dunno. I guess they'll take it at the store. My brother John might cash it--possibly, as an accommodation.' "Well, my friend goes over to Brother John's bank, and Brother John cashes the order, and gives him eight dollars for it. Brother John then turns in the order to the treasurer and gets twelve dollars for it, and then they 'divvy' on the thing. Now, how's that for a nice game?" "It's a damn lie!" shouted an excited man in the foreground. He had his sleeves rolled up and kept up a continual muttering growl. "It's the truth," repeated Bradley. There was a strong Russell contingent in the meeting, and they were full of fight. The angry man in front repeated his shout: "That's a lie! Take it back, or I'll yank yeh off'n that wagon box." "Come and try it," said Bradley, throwing off his coat. The excitement had reached the point where blows begin. Several irresponsible fellows were urging their companion on. "Jump 'im! Jump 'im, Hank! We'll see fair play." "Stand yer ground, Brad!" shouted the friends of the speaker. "We'll see they come one at a time." "Oh, see here! No fightin'," shouted others. The man Hank was not to be silenced. He pushed his way to the wagon-wheel and shook his extended fist at the speaker. "Take that back, you"-- Bradley caught him by his uplifted wrist, and bracing himself against the wheel, jerked his assailant into the wagon-box, and tumbled him out in a disjointed heap on the other side before he could collect his scattered wits.