Morrison's eyes flashed. But he retained his appearance of geniality, and appealed to Wallace Carpenter. “Then you will retain the advantage of our dams and improvements,” said he. “Is that fair?” “No, not on the face of it,” admitted Thorpe. “But you did your work in a navigable stream for private purposes, without the consent of the Board of Control. Your presence on the river is illegal. You should have taken out a charter as an Improvement Company. Then as long as you 'tended to business and kept the concern in repair, we'd have paid you a toll per thousand feet. As soon as you let it slide, however, the works would revert to the State. I won't hinder your doing that yet; although I might. Take out your charter and fix your rate of toll.” “In other words, you force us to stay there and run a little two-by-four Improvement Company for your benefit, or else lose the value of our improvements?” “Suit yourself,” answered Thorpe carelessly. “You can always log your present holdings.” “Very well,” cried Morrison, so suddenly in a passion that Wallace started back. “It's war! And let me tell you this, young man; you're a new concern and we're an old one. We'll crush you like THAT!” He crisped an envelope vindictively, and threw it in the waste-basket. “Crush ahead,” replied Thorpe with great good humor. “Good-day, Mr. Morrison,” and the two went out. Wallace was sputtering and trembling with nervous excitement. His was one of those temperaments which require action to relieve the stress of a stormy interview. He was brave enough, but he would always tremble in the presence of danger until the moment for striking arrived. He wanted to do something at once. “Hadn't we better see a lawyer?” he asked. “Oughtn't we to look out that they don't take some of our pine? Oughtn't we--” “You just leave all that to me,” replied Thorpe. “The first thing we want to do is to rustle some money.” “And you can leave THAT to ME,” echoed Wallace. “I know a little of such things, and I have business connections who know more. You just get the camp running.” “I'll start for Bay City to-night,” submitted Thorpe. “There ought to be a good lot of lumber-jacks lying around idle at this time of year; and it's a good place to outfit from because we can probably get freight rates direct by boat. We'll be a little late in starting, but we'll get in SOME logs this winter, anyway.” PART III. THE BLAZING OF THE TRAIL Chapter XXVI A lumbering town after the drive is a fearful thing. Men just off the river draw a deep breath, and plunge into the wildest reactionary dissipation. In droves they invade the cities,--wild, picturesque, lawless. As long as the money lasts, they blow it in. “Hot money!” is the cry. “She's burnt holes in all my pockets already!”