Casey was more or less of a character in the Gulf. His words flew so fast they overran each other in effort to keep abreast of his racing ideas. Thoroughly respected for his sterling character, he was made the target of much good-natured hilarity because of his constant hobby-riding and the rushing speech that made him almost incoherent. His mares and boar had cost him money that could better have gone into plantation improvements. The conversation, drifting fitfully, touched upon a new stripping machine which Lindsey had purchased in Manila: he was bringing it down in the hold of the _Francesca_. "I watched them load it," he declared. "I took no chances in being shy a necessary bolt or belt. I'll have it set up in a couple of weeks and if it works as well in the field as it did in the agent's warehouse--no more labor troubles for me--no more hemp rotting in the ground for lack of strippers!" Cochran was mildly pessimistic. He had seen too many other heralded inventions which worked well experimentally but failed in the hemp fields. Of course Casey was hopeful--it was his nature. Sears broke his long silence: "Labor troubles, labor shortage! Hell!--there's plenty of labor in the Gulf--if only the Government wasn't always hornin' in on us!" Terry knew the remark was aimed at him but refrained from comment. Sears mistook his silence. "But no meddlin' government is goin' to interfere with me! I'm goin' to run my own place from now on--and get my labor where I please--and how I please!" As this elicited no response from the patient officer he continued despite Lindsey's distressed signals. Emboldened, he turned directly to Terry. "I suppose," he snarled, "that you were sent down to be the little fairy god-father to the Bogobos--to protect the poor heathen from the awful planters who want to make them work. No?" Terry stirred. "Mr. Sears, I am instructed to protect the Bogobos from any oppression--and to aid the planters in every legitimate way. I hope to do both." Sears' passion seemed fed by the conciliatory tone. Terry studied the convulsed face and through the thick veil of rage saw the lines of worry that had aged him prematurely: the black hair was streaked with gray and his hands were thickened and stained with toil. Moved by a quick sympathy Terry spoke again: "Mr. Sears, this is no time to discuss the matter. In a week or so I will come to see you and--" Sears interrupted in a voice hoarse with anger: "Terry, if any government man comes--snoopin' round my place--I'll--I'll--he will never snoop again!" In the tense silence that followed the challenge Lindsey bit clean through his cigar. Terry's answer was so long in coming that the trio of Americans who listened experienced something of the faint qualm which sickens a man when he witnesses another's backing-down. Finally he spoke, slowly, his measured words scarcely audible above the muffled beat of the propeller.