"I've never intended to break law in my dealings with men," said Wade, with a cadence of mournfulness in his tones. "Law up in the big woods doesn't seem to be quite as clear-cut as it is in men's relations outside. But can there be honest law, Mr. Ide, that will allow men like Pulaski Britt to step in and deprive a man of rightful profits earned by his own hard labor--to deprive him of--" He was thinking then, despite of himself, of Elva Barrett, but choked and added, wistfully, "When it's only an even show a man asks, a fair chance to travel his own course, it seems hard that there are men who go out of their path to trip him." It was not lament. He had the air of one who displayed his convictions to have them indorsed. "It's Britt's way," retorted the other, curtly. "He's made money by doin' it, and expects to make a lot more by bossin' the river." "I want to see Mr. Britt," said Wade, quietly. "See Britt! You don't think for a minute you're goin' to induce him to take our drive or do the square thing on the water question, do you?" "But I want to see him for a reason of my own, Mr. Ide. I'm frank to say I don't expect any justice from Britt, after my experience with him; but there is such a thing as justification for myself. I see you don't understand." He noted the little man's wrinkling brows. "I don't know that I'm exactly sure of my own mind. But I can't seem to bring myself to fight this thing according to the code of the woods. I'm going into it with every ounce of strength and hope that's in me, and there's just one preliminary that I want for my peace of soul. I want to see Pulaski Britt." "If I was gettin' ready to fight the devil," remonstrated Ide, "I reckon I'd keep away from his brimstone-pot. He's at his Jerusalem camp," he added, grudgingly. "He went through two days ago." "Then that's where I'll go to find him," said Wade, decisively. Rodburd Ide fingered his nose and gazed on his partner with frank scepticism. "Whatever you want with Britt, you're wastin' your time on him"--his tone was sullen--"and the wind-up will be another peckin'-match with that long-legged rooster, MacLeod. I say, save time and strength for our own business, Wade." "And I say I've got business with Pulaski Britt, and propose to go to him like a man," declared Wade. "You and I can't afford to have any misunderstanding about this, Mr. Ide. You have said you picked me to handle this end. I've got to handle it in my own way, so far as dealings with men go. I'll take your advice--I'll _ask_ your advice on details of the work, because I don't know. As to my business with Mr. Britt, there is no doubt in my mind. I want you to go with me." And in the end Mr. Ide went, nipping his thin lips, not wholly convinced as to the logic of the step, but with his opinion of Dwight Wade's courage and self-reliance decidedly heightened, and he reflected with comfort that those were the qualities he had sought in his partnership. CHAPTER XXV