For a while Bear Cat's attention was perfunctory. He listened because he had promised to listen, but as the evangelist swept on with an earnestness that gave a fire of eloquence to his uncouth words, his congregation of one was heeding him because of the compulsion of interest. He saw a bigger enemy and one more worthy of his warfare behind the malign individual who was, after all, only its figure-head and coefficient. "Ef them ye loves hed been struck ter death by a rattlesnake--and hit war feasible fer ye, 'stid of jest killin' ther snake, ter put an end ter ther pizen hitself--fer all time--would ye waste strength on a single sarpent?" The eyes of the speaker were glowing with ardor. "Men like Kinnard air snakes thet couldn't do no harm save fer ther pizen of ther copper worms. Hit's because they pertects them worms thet ther lawless stands behind sich men--an' ther law-abidin' fears 'em. Wipe out ther curse itself--an' ye wipes out ther whole system of meanness an' murder." He paused, and for the first time since his outburst Bear Cat spoke soberly. "Over thar--at ther Quarterhouse--whar they sought ter git Henderson--they warn't nothin' but a yelpin' pack of mad dogs--all fired ter murder with white licker." Brother Fulkerson nodded. "I said ye hed power, an' I don't want ter see ye misuse hit. "Ye asked me a spell back why I pestered ye with talk about betterment in this hour of yore affliction. Hit's because I wants ye ter go on fightin' fer thet dream--even ef hit's denied ye ter profit by hit. I wants thet jest now with ther Stacys gatherin' in from back of beyond, ye starts out leadin' 'em rightfully 'stid of wrongfully--fer whichever way ye leads, ye'll go far." Bear Cat Stacy rose from his seat. His chest still heaved, but his eyes were aflame with a fire no longer baleful. In them was the thrilling blaze of far-reaching vision. For a time he stood silent, then he thrust out his hand. "Brother Fulkerson, I've done been right close ter hell's edge ter-night--but ye've brought me out. I hevn't put by my resolve ter punish murder--if I can prove hit--but I've put by punishin' hit with more murder. I aims ter make an end of blockadin'." "Praise God," murmured Brother Fulkerson with the glowing face of an old and wearied prophet who sees a younger and mightier rise before him. Yet because his own long labors had taken heavy toll of weariness, he knew the ashes of despair as well as the flame of ardor. Now he found himself arguing the insurmountable difficulties. "But how does ye aim ter persuade men ter forego blockadin'? Yore own kinfolks air amongst 'em." Bear Cat's excitement of resolve brought a tremor to his voice. "By God, I don't aim ter persuade 'em over-much. I aims ter force 'em. I aims ter rip out every still this side of Cedar Mounting--Stacys' and Towers' alike, an' I don't aim ter sneak up on 'em, but ter march open about ther business!"