The old stage-driver laughed softly. “We’ll be damned good and plenty by both sides.” “Of course. It won’t be a pleasant thing to do, but then it isn’t exactly pleasant to sit quiet and let these factions use the State as a pawn in their game of grab.” “I’m with you, Sam. Go to it, my boy, and I’ll back you to the limit.” “We had better not talk it over here. Come to my room after dinner and bring Landor and James with you. I’ll have Reedy and Keller there. I’ll mention casually that it’s a big game of poker, and I’ll have cards and drinks sent up. You want to remember we can’t be too careful. If it leaks out we lose.” “I’m a clam, Sam. Do you want I should speak of it to Landor and James?” “Better wait till we get together.” “What about Ward? He’s always been with us.” “He talks too much. We can take him in at the last minute if we like.” “That would be better. I ain’t so sure about Reedy, either. He’s straight as a string, of course; not a crooked hair in his head. But when he gets to drinking he’s likely to let things out.” “You’re right. We’ll leave him out, too, until the last minute. There’s another thing I’ve thought of. Ridgway can’t win. At least I don’t see how he can control more than twenty five votes. Suppose at the very last moment we make a deal with him and with the Democrats to pool our votes on some square man. With Waring it’s anything to beat the Consolidated. He’ll jump at the chance if he’s sure he is out of the running himself. Those of the Democrats that Harley can’t buy will be glad to beat his man. I don’t say it can be done, Jack. All I say is that it is worth a trial.” “You bet.” They met that night in Yesler’s rooms round a card-table. The hands were dealt for form’s sake, since there were spies everywhere, and it was necessary to ring for cigars and refreshments occasionally to avoid suspicion. They were all cattlemen, large or small, big outdoors sunburned men, who rode the range in the spring and fall with their punchers and asked no odds of any man. Until long past midnight they talked the details over, and when they separated in the small hours it was with a well-defined plan to save the State from its impending disgrace if the thing could be done. CHAPTER XV. LASKA OPENS A DOOR The first ballots for a United States senator taken by the legislature in joint session failed to disclose the alignment of some of the doubtful members. The Democratic minority of twenty-eight votes were cast for Springer, the senator whose place would be taken by whoever should win in the contest now on. Warner received forty-four, Ridgway twenty-six, eight went to Pascom, a former governor whom the cattlemen were supporting, and the remaining three were scattered. Each day one ballot was taken, and for a week there was a slight sifting down of the complimentary votes until at the end of it the count stood: Warner 45 Ridgway 28 Springer 28 Pascom 8