In Wade's mind there was a set determination, born on the moment, that they should not purchase one pound of tobacco for less than ten cents, and perhaps more. "You are buying for the trusts?" he asked. "No," said the other, half angrily, "we are _not_ buying for the trusts. I am buying for a private company, and have no connection with this gentleman, although we are together. If his judgment leads him to believe that the tobacco is worth more than my judgment leads me to believe it to be worth, naturally he offers a better price, that's all. Now, as I said, you have about the highest quality tobacco I have seen this season, therefore I shall raise this gentleman's offer and make it four cents and the half. Shall you let it go at that?" "I shall not." "Then you may keep it stored until it rots." "Hold!" said the second man. "My last offer is six cents. Shall you let it go?" "I shall _not_!" "Then keep it in your barns until it rots; you'll not get more than we have offered you." "I'll allow it to rot then," said Wade defiantly. The two men rode off toward Judson's. Wade meant to fulfill his determination, if it should cost him many thousands of dollars. Hastily saddling his horse he also rode up to Judson's, where he found the two tobacco purchasers parleying with old Peter. "No," Peter was saying, "I hain't got much terbacker this season, but ye cain't git what little I've got fer no three and a half cents." Jack touched the old man on the shoulder. "Remember, Judson," he whispered, "I'll make it one cent heavier than they offer." Then he rode in search of Tom, whom he instructed to go over the country as fast as he could and advise the faithful ones to hold their tobacco for twelve cents. "Tell them," he said, "that they have a standing offer of eleven and one-half from me, and they should hold out for twelve from anyone else. Make it plain to them that the offer is made in good faith, and the man who fails to sell in good season for twelve cents shall receive eleven and one-half. You had not better go into Thompson's territory." "I'll go thar too," said Tom, "an' I'll even go to old Jim Thompson's house. He can't hurt anybody yet, an' Al's off on a trip right now, so they's nuthin' to be skeered of." "I won't make the offer to Thompson at this time, Tom; it would be no use. He'd rather sell for one cent than accept assistance from us." "All right, I hain't a-keerin' much 'bout foolin' 'round thar, anyhow." "Be off, then!" The two men were still parleying with Peter, in an effort to purchase his tobacco, but he was holding very high above them. "No," he said, "I'll not take seven nor eight." "My last offer is nine," said one. "But I'm offered ten." "I'll take what you have for ten," said the second. "I'm offered eleven," said Peter, smiling.