Andanhourlaterthedancewasprogressingasevenlyasthoughnothingintheleastextraordinaryhadoccurred。Theincidentwasclosed——thatabruptswoopofterrorandimpendingdeathdroppingdowntherefromoutthedarkness，cuttingabruptlyathwartthegayetyofthemoment，comeandgonewiththeswiftnessofathunderclap。Manyofthewomenhadgonehome，takingtheirmenwiththem。butthegreatbulkofthecrowdstillremained，seeingnoreasonwhytheepisodeshouldinterferewiththeevening’senjoyment，resolvedtoholdthegroundformerebravado，iffornothingelse。Delaneywouldnotcomeback，ofthateverybodywaspersuaded，andincaseheshould，therewasnotfoundwantingfullyhalfahundredyoungmenwhowouldgivehimadressingdown，byjingo！TheyhadbeentoosurprisedtoactwhenDelaneyhadfirstappeared，andbeforetheyknewwheretheywereat，thebusterhadclearedout。Inanotherminute，justanothersecond，theywouldhaveshownhim——yes，sir，byjingo！——ah，youbet！
Onallsidesthereminiscencesbegantocirculate。Atleastonemanineverythreehadbeeninvolvedinagunfightatsometimeofhislife。Ah，yououghttohaveseeninYubaCountyonetime——Why，inButteCountyintheearlydays——Pshaw！thisto-nightwasn’tanything！Why，onceinasalooninArizonawhenIwasthere——andsoon，overandoveragain。OstermansolemnlyassertedthathehadseenagreasersawnintwoinaNevadasawmill。OldBrodersonhadwitnessedaVigilantelynchingin’55
onCaliforniaStreetinSanFrancisco。Dykerecalledhowonceinhisengineeringdayshehadrunoveradrunkatastreetcrossing。GethingsoftheSanPablohadtakenashotatahighwayman。HoovenhadbayonettedaFrenchChasseuratSedan。
AnoldSpanish-Mexican，acentenarianfromGuadalajara，rememberedFremont’sstandonamountaintopinSanBenitoCounty。ThedruggisthadfiredataburglartryingtobreakintohisstoreoneNewYear’seve。YoungVaccahadseenadogshotinGuadalajara。FatherSarriahadmorethanonceadministeredthesacramentstoPortuguesedesperadoesdyingofgunshotwounds。
Eventhewomenrecalledterriblescenes。Mrs。CutterrecountedtoaninterestedgrouphowshehadseenaclaimjumpedinPlacerCountyin1851，whenthreemenwereshot，fallinginafusilladeofrifleshots，andexpiringlateruponthefloorofherkitchenwhileshelookedon。Mrs。Dykehadbeeninastagehold-up，whentheshotgunmessengerwasmurdered。Storiesbythehundredswenttheroundofthecompany。Theairwassurchargedwithblood，dyinggroans，thereekofpowdersmoke，thecrackofrifles。Allthelegendsof’49，theviolent，wildlifeoftheearlydays，wererecalledtoview，defilingbeforethemthereinanendlessprocessionundertheglareofpaperlanternsandkerosenelamps。
Buttheaffairhadarousedacombativespiritamongstthemenoftheassembly。Instantlyaspiritofaggression，oftruculence，swelledupunderneathwaistcoatsandstarchedshirtbosoms。Morethanoneoffenderwaspromptlyaskedtostepoutside。Itwaslikeyoungbucksexcitedbyanencounterofstags，loweringtheirhornsupontheslightestprovocation，showingoffbeforethedoesandfawns。Oldquarrelswereremembered。Onesoughtlaboriouslyforslightsandinsults，veiledinordinaryconversation。Thesenseofpersonalhonourbecamerefinedtoadelicate，finepoint。Upontheslightestpretexttherewasahaughtydrawingupofthefigure，atwistingofthelipsintoasmileofscorn。
CaraherspokeofshootingS。Behrmanonsightbeforetheendoftheweek。TwiceitbecamenecessarytoseparateHoovenandCutter，renewingtheirquarrelastotheownershipofthesteer。
AllatonceMinnaHooven’spartnerfelluponthegaylyapparelledclerkfromBonneville，pummellinghimwithhisfists，hustlinghimoutofthehall，vociferatingthatMissHoovenhadbeengrosslyinsulted。Ittookthreementoextricatetheclerkfromhisclutches，dazed，gasping，hiscollarunfastenedandstickingupintohisface，hiseyesstaringwildlyintothefacesofthecrowd。
ButAnnixter，burstingwithpride，hischestthrownout，hischinintheair，reignedenthronedinacircleofadulation。HewastheHero。Toshakehimbythehandwasanhonourtobestruggledfor。Oneclappedhimonthebackwithsolemnnodsofapproval。
There’stheBOYforyou。Therewasnerveforyou。What’sthematterwithAnnixter？HowaboutTHATforsand，andhowwasTHAT
foraSHOT？Why，ApacheKidcouldn’thavebetteredthat。
Coolenough。Tookasteadyeyeandasurehandtomakeashotlikethat。TherewasashotthatwouldbetoldaboutinTulareCountyfiftyyearstocome。
Annixterhadrefrainedfromreplying，allearstothisconversation，wonderingjustwhathadhappened。HeknewonlythatDelaneyhadrun，leavinghisrevolverandaspatterofbloodbehindhim。Bydegrees，however，heascertainedthathislastshotbutonehadstruckDelaney’spistolhand，shatteringitandknockingtherevolverfromhisgrip。Hewasoverwhelmedwithastonishment。Why，aftertheshootingbeganhehadnotsomuchasseenDelaneywithanydegreeofplainness。Thewholeaffairwasawhirl。
Well，wheredidYOUlearntoshootTHATway？someoneinthecrowddemanded。Annixtermovedhisshoulderswithagestureofvastunconcern。
Oh，heobservedcarelessly，it’snotmySHOOTINGthateverworriedME，m’son。
Thecrowdgapedwithdelight。Therewasagreatwaggingofheads。
Well，Iguessnot。
No，sir，notmuch。
Ah，no，youbetnot。
Whenthewomenpressedaroundhim，shakinghishands，declaringthathehadsavedtheirdaughters’lives，Annixterassumedaposeofsuperbdeprecation，themodestself-obliterationofthechevalier。Hedeliveredhimselfofarememberedphrase，veryelegant，refined。ItwasLancelotafterthetournament，Bayardreceivingfelicitationsafterthebattle。
Oh，don’tsayanythingaboutit，hemurmured。Ionlydidwhatanymanwouldhavedoneinmyplace。
Torestorecompletelytheequanimityofthecompany，heannouncedsupper。Thishehadcalculatedasatremendoussurprise。Itwastohavebeenservedatmid-night，buttheirruptionofDelaneyhaddislocatedtheorderofevents，andthetableswerebroughtinanhouraheadoftime。Theywerearrangedaroundthreesidesofthebarnandwereloadeddownwithcoldroastsofbeef，coldchickensandcoldducks，mountainsofsandwiches，pitchersofmilkandlemonade，entirecheeses，bowlsofolives，platesoforangesandnuts。Theadventofthissupperwasreceivedwithavolleyofapplause。Themusiciansplayedaquickstep。Thecompanythrewthemselvesuponthefoodwithagreatscrapingofchairsandavastrustleofmuslins，tarletans，andorgandies。
soontheclatterofdisheswasaveritableuproar。Thetablesweretakenbyassault。Oneatewhateverwasnearestathand，someevenbeginningwithorangesandnutsandendingwithbeefandchicken。Attheendthepapercapswerebroughton，togetherwiththeicecream。Allupanddownthetablesthepulledcrackerssnappedcontinuallylikethedischargeofinnumerabletinyrifles。
Thecapsoftissuepaperwereputon——PhrygianBonnets，
Magicians’Caps，LibertyCaps。theyounggirlslookedacrossthetableattheirvis-a-viswithburstsoflaughterandvigorousclappingofthehands。
Theharnessroomcrowdhadatabletothemselves，attheheadofwhichsatAnnixterandatthefootHarran。ThegunfighthadsoberedPresleythoroughly。HesatbythesideofVanamee，whoatebutlittle，preferringrathertowatchthescenewithcalmobservation，alittlecontemptuouswhentheuproararoundthetablewastooboisterous，savouringofintoxication。Ostermanrolledbulletsofbreadandshotthemwithastonishingforceupanddownthetable，buttheothers——Dyke，oldBroderson，Caraher，HarranDerrick，Hooven，Cutter，GarnettoftheRubyrancho，Keastfromtheranchofthesamename，GethingsoftheSanPablo，andChatternoftheBonanza——occupiedthemselveswitheatingasmuchastheycouldbeforethesuppergaveout。Atacornerofthetable，speechless，unobserved，ignored，satDabney，ofwhomnothingwasknownbuthisname，thesilentoldmanwhomadenofriends。Heateanddrankquietly，dippinghissandwichinhislemonade。
Ostermanatealltheoliveshecouldlayhishandson，ascoreofthem，fiftyofthem，ahundredofthem。Hetouchednocrumbofanythingelse。OldBrodersonstaredathim，hisjawfallen。
Ostermandeclaredhehadonceeatenathousandonabet。Themencalledeachothers’attentiontohim。Delightedtocreateasensation，Ostermanpersevered。Thecontentsofanentirebowldisappearedinhishuge，reptilianslitofamouth。Hischeeksofbrownishredwereextended，hisbaldforeheadglistened。
Colicsseizeduponhim。Hisstomachrevolted。Itwasallonewithhim。Hewassatisfied，contented。Hewasastonishingthepeople。
OnceIswallowedatreetoad。hetoldoldBroderson，bymistake。Iwaseatinggrapes，andthebeggarlivedinmethreeweeks。Inrainyweatherhewouldsing。Youdon’tbelievethat，
hevociferated。Haven’tIgotthetoadathomenowinabottleofalcohol。
Andtheoldman，neverdoubting，hiseyesstarting，waggedhisheadinamazement。
Oh，yes，criedCaraher，thelengthofthetable，that’saprettygoodone。Tellusanother。
Thatremindsmeofastory，hazardedoldBrodersonuncertainly。
oncewhenIwasaladinUkiah，fiftyyears
Oh，yes，criedhalfadozenvoices，THAT’Saprettygoodone。
Tellusanother。
Eh——wh——what？murmuredBroderson，lookingabouthim。I——I
don’tknow。ItwasUkiah。You——you——youmixmeallup。
Assoonassupperwasover，thefloorwasclearedagain。TheguestsclamouredforaVirginiareel。Thelastquarteroftheevening，thetimeofthemostriotousfun，wasbeginning。Theyoungmencaughtthegirlswhosatnexttothem。Theorchestradashedoffintoarollickingmovement。Thetwolineswereformed。Inasecondoftimethedancewasunderwayagain。theguestsstillwearingthePhrygianbonnetsandlibertycapsofpinkandbluetissuepaper。
Butthegroupofmenoncemoreadjournedtotheharnessroom。
Freshboxesofcigarswereopened。theseventhbowloffertiliserwasmixed。Ostermanpouredthedregsofaglassofituponhisbaldhead，declaringthathecouldfeelthehairbeginningtogrow。
ButsuddenlyoldBrodersonrosetohisfeet。
Aha，hecackled，I’Mgoingtohaveadance，Iam。ThinkI’mtooold？I’llshowyouyoungfellows。I’maregularoldROOSTER
whenIgetstarted。
Hemarchedoutintothebarn，theothersfollowing，holdingtheirsides。HefoundanagedMexicanwomanbythedoorandhustledher，allconfusedandgiggling，intotheVirginiareel，thenatitsheight。Everyonecrowdedaroundtosee。OldBrodersonsteppedoffwiththealacrityofacolt，snappinghisfingers，slappinghisthigh，hismouthwideninginanexcitedgrin。Theentirecompanyoftheguestsshouted。TheCityBandredoubledtheirefforts。andtheoldman，losinghishead，breathless，gasping，dislocatedhisstiffjointsinhisefforts。Hebecamepossessed，bowing，scraping，advancing，retreating，wagginghisbeard，cuttingpigeons’wings，distraughtwiththemusic，theclamour，theapplause，theeffectsofthefertiliser。
Annixtershouted：
Niceeye，SantaClaus。
ButAnnixter’sattentionwandered。HesearchedforHilmaTree，havingstillinmindthelookinhereyesatthatswiftmomentofdanger。Hehadnotseenhersincethen。Atlasthecaughtsightofher。Shewasnotdancing，but，instead，wassittingwithherpartnerattheendofthebarnnearherfatherandmother，hereyeswide，aseriousexpressiononherface，herthoughts，nodoubt，elsewhere。Annixterwasabouttogotoherwhenhewasinterruptedbyacry。
OldBroderson，inthemidstofadoubleshuffle，hadclappedhishandtohissidewithagasp，whichhefollowedbyawhoopofanguish。Hehadgotastitchorhadstartedatwingesomewhere。
Withagestureofresignation，hedrewhimselflaboriouslyoutofthedance，limpingabominably，onelegdragging。Hewasheardaskingforhiswife。OldMrs。Brodersontookhimincharge。Shejawedhimformakinganexhibitionofhimself，scoldingasthoughhewereaten-year-old。
Well，Iwanttoknow！sheexclaimed，ashehobbledoff，dejectedandmelancholy，leaninguponherarm，thoughthehadtodance，indeed！Whatnext？Agayoldgrandpa，this。He’dbetterbethinkingofhiscoffin。
Itwasalmostmidnight。Thedancedrewtowardsitscloseinastormofjubilation。Theperspiringmusicianstoiledlikegalleyslaves。theguestssingingastheydanced。
Thegroupofmenreassembledintheharnessroom。EvenMagnusDerrickcondescendedtoenteranddrinkatoast。PresleyandVanamee，stillholdingthemselvesaloof，lookedon，Vanameemoreandmoredisgusted。Dabney，standingtooneside，overlookedandforgotten，continuedtosipsteadilyathisglass，solemn，reserved。GarnettoftheRubyrancho，Keastfromtheranchofthesamename，GethingsoftheSanPablo，andChatternoftheBonanza，leanedbackintheirchairs，theirwaist-coatsunbuttoned，theirlegsspreadwide，laughing——theycouldnottellwhy。Otherranchers，menwhomAnnixterhadneverseen，appearedintheroom，wheatgrowersfromplacesasfardistantasGoshenandPixley。youngmenandold，proprietorsofveritableprincipalities，hundredsofthousandsofacresofwheatlands，adozenofthem，ascoreofthem。menwhowerestrangerstoeachother，butwhomadeitapointtoshakehandswithMagnusDerrick，theprominentmanofthevalley。OldBroderson，whomeveryonehadbelievedhadgonehome，returned，thoughmuchsobered，andtookhisplace，refusing，however，todrinkanotherspoonful。
SoontheentirenumberofAnnixter’sguestsfoundthemselvesintwocompanies，thedancersonthefloorofthebarn，frolickingthroughthelastfiguresoftheVirginiareelandtheboisterousgatheringofmenintheharnessroom，downingthelastquartsoffertiliser。Bothassemblieshadbeenincreased。Eventheolderpeoplehadjoinedinthedance，whilenearlyeveryoneofthemenwhodidnotdancehadfoundtheirwayintotheharnessroom。Thetwogroupsrivalledeachotherintheirnoise。Outonthefloorofthebarnwasaverywhirlwindofgayety，atempestoflaughter，hand-clappingandcriesofamusement。Intheharnessroomtheconfusedshoutingandsinging，thestampingofheavyfeet，setaquiveringreverberationintheoilofthekerosenelamps，theflameofthecandlesintheJapaneselanternsflaringandswayinginthegustsofhilarity。Atintervals，betweenthetwo，oneheardthemusic，thewailingoftheviolins，thevigoroussnarlingofthecornet，andtheharsh，incessantraspingofthesnaredrum。
Andattimesallthesevarioussoundsmingledinasinglevaguenote，huge，clamorous，thatroseupintothenightfromthecolossal，reverberatingcompassofthebarnandsentitsechoesfaroffacrosstheunbrokenlevelsofthesurroundingranches，stretchingouttoinfinityunderthecloudedsky，calm，mysterious，still。
Annixter，thepunchbowlclaspedinhisarms，waspouringoutthelastspoonfulofliquorintoCaraher’sglasswhenhewasawarethatsomeonewaspullingatthesleeveofhiscoat。Hesetdownthepunchbowl。
Well，wheredidYOUcomefrom？hedemanded。
ItwasamessengerfromBonneville，theuniformedboythatthetelephonecompanyemployedtocarrymessages。Hehadjustarrivedfromtownonhisbicycle，outofbreathandpanting。
Messageforyou，sir。Willyousign？
HeheldthebooktoAnnixter，whosignedthereceipt，wondering。
Theboydeparted，leavingathickenvelopeofyellowpaperinAnnixter’shands，theaddresstypewritten，thewordUrgent
writteninbluepencilinonecorner。
Annixtertoreitopen。Theenvelopecontainedothersealedenvelopes，someeightortenofthem，addressedtoMagnusDerrick，Osterman，Broderson，Garnett，Keast，Gethings，Chattern，Dabney，andtoAnnixterhimself。
Stillpuzzled，Annixterdistributedtheenvelopes，mutteringtohimself：
What’supnow？
Theincidenthadattractedattention。Acomparativequietfollowed，theguestsfollowingtheletterswiththeireyesastheywerepassedaroundthetable。TheyfanciedthatAnnixterhadarrangedasurprise。
MagnusDerrick，whosatnexttoAnnixter，wasthefirsttoreceivehisletter。Withawordofexcuseheopenedit。
Readit，readit，Governor，shoutedahalf-dozenvoices。Nosecrets，youknow。Everythingaboveboardhereto-night。
Magnuscastaglanceatthecontentsoftheletter，thenrosetohisfeetandread：
MagnusDerrick，Bonneville，TulareCo。，Cal。
DearSir：
ByregradeofOctober1st，thevalueoftherailroadlandyouoccupy，includedinyourranchofLosMuertos，hasbeenfixedat$27。00peracre。Thelandisnowforsaleatthatpricetoanyone。
Yours，etc。，CYRUSBLAKELEERUGGLES，LandAgent，P。andS。W。R。R。
S。BEHRMAN，LocalAgent，P。andS。W。R。R。
Inthemidstoftheprofoundsilencethatfollowed，Ostermanwasheardtoexclaimgrimly：
THAT’Saprettygoodone。Tellusanother。
Butforalongmomentthiswastheonlyremark。
Thesilencewidened，brokenonlybythesoundoftornpaperasAnnixter，Osterman，oldBroderson，Garnett，Keast，Gethings，Chattern，andDabneyopenedandreadtheirletters。Theywerealltothesameeffect，almostwordforwordliketheGovernor’s。
Onlythefiguresandthepropernamesvaried。Insomecasesthepriceperacrewastwenty-twodollars。InAnnixter’scaseitwasthirty。
And——andthecompanypromisedtoselltome，to——toallofus，
gaspedoldBroderson，atTWODOLLARSANDAHALFanacre。
ItwasnotalonetheranchersimmediatelyaroundBonnevillewhowouldbeplunderedbythismoveonthepartoftheRailroad。ThealternatesectionsystemappliedthroughoutalltheSanJoaquin。BystrikingattheBonnevilleranchersaterribleprecedentwasestablished。Ofthecrowdofguestsintheharnessroomalone，nearlyeverymanwasaffected，everymanmenacedwithruin。Allofamillionacreswassuddenlyinvolved。
Thensuddenlythetempestburst。Adozenmenwereontheirfeetinaninstant，theirteethset，theirfistsclenched，theirfacespurplewithrage。Oaths，curses，maledictionsexplodedlikethefiringofsuccessivemines。Voicesquiveredwithwrath，handsflungupward，thefingershooked，prehensile，trembledwithanger。Thesenseofwrongs，theinjustices，theoppression，extortion，andpillageoftwentyyearssuddenlyculminatedandfoundvoiceinaraucoushowlofexecration。Forasecondtherewasnothingarticulateinthatcryofsavageexasperation，nothingevenintelligent。Itwasthehumananimalhoundedtoitscorner，exploited，harriedtoitslaststand，atbay，ferocious，terrible，turningatlastwithbaredteethandupraisedclawstomeetthedeathgrapple。Itwasthehideoussquealingofthetormentedbrute，itsbacktothewall，defendingitslair，itsmateanditswhelps，readytobite，torend，totrample，tobatteroutthelifeofTheEnemyinaprimeval，bestialwelterofbloodandfury。
Theroarsubsidedtointermittentclamour，inthepausesofwhichthesoundsofmusicanddancingmadethemselvesaudibleoncemore。
S。Behrmanagain，vociferatedHarranDerrick。
Chosehismomentwell，mutteredAnnixter。Hitshishardestwhenwe’reallroundeduphavingagoodtime。
Gentlemen，thisisruin。
What’stobedonenow？
FIGHT！MyGod！doyouthinkwearegoingtostandthis？DoyouthinkweCAN？
Theuproarswelledagain。TheclearertheassemblyofranchersunderstoodthesignificanceofthismoveonthepartoftheRailroad，themoreterribleitappeared，themoreflagrant，themoreintolerable。Wasitpossible，wasitwithintheboundsofimaginationthatthistyrannyshouldbecontemplated？Buttheyknew——pastyearshaddrivenhomethelesson——theimplacable，ironmonsterwithwhomtheyhadtodeal，andagainandagainthesenseofoutrageandoppressionlashedthemtotheirfeet，theirmouthswidewithcurses，theirfistsclenchedtight，theirthroatshoarsewithshouting。
Fight！Howfight？WhatAREyougoingtodo？
Ifthere’salawinthisland
Ifthereis，itisinShelgrim’spocket。WhoownsthecourtsinCalifornia？Ain’titShelgrim？
Goddamnhim。
Well，howlongareyougoingtostandit？Howlongbeforeyou’llsettleupaccountswithsixinchesofpluggedgas-pipe？
Andourcontracts，thesolemnpledgesofthecorporationtoselltousfirstofall——
Andnowthelandisforsaletoanybody。
Why，itisaquestionofmyhome。AmItobeturnedout？Why，Ihaveputeightthousanddollarsintoimprovingthisland。
AndIsixthousand，andnowthatIhave，theRailroadgrabsit。
AndthesystemofirrigatingditchesthatDerrickandIhavebeenlayingout。There’sthousandsofdollarsinthat！
I’llfightthisouttillI’vespenteverycentofmymoney。
Where？Inthecourtsthatthecompanyowns？
ThinkIamgoingtogiveintothis？ThinkIamtogetoffmyland？ByGod，gentlemen，lawornolaw，railroadornorailroad，I——WILL——NOT。
NorI。
NorI。
NorI。
Thisisthelast。Legalmeansfirst。ifthosefail——theshotgun。
Theycankillme。Theycanshootmedown，butI’lldie——diefightingformyhome——beforeI’llgiveintothis。
AtlengthAnnixtermadehimselfheard：
Alloutoftheroombuttheranchowners，heshouted。Hooven，Caraher，Dyke，you’llhavetoclearout。Thisisafamilyaffair。Presley，youandyourfriendcanremain。
Reluctantlytheothersfiledthroughthedoor。Thereremainedintheharnessroom——besidesVanameeandPresley——MagnusDerrick，Annixter，oldBrodersonHarran，GarnettfromtheRubyrancho，Keastfromtheranchofthesamename，GethingsoftheSanPablo，ChatternoftheBonanza，aboutascoreofothers，ranchersfromvariouspartsofthecounty，and，lastofall，Dabney，ignored，silent，towhomnobodyspokeandwho，asyet，hadnotutteredaword。
Butthemenwhohadbeenaskedtoleavetheharnessroomspreadthenewsthroughoutthebarn。Itwasrepeatedfromliptolip。
Onebyonetheguestsdroppedoutofthedance。Groupswereformed。Byswiftdegreesthegayetylapsedaway。TheVirginiareelbrokeup。Themusiciansceasedplaying，andintheplaceofthenoisy，effervescentrevelryoftheprevioushalfhour，asubduedmurmurfilledallthebarn，aminglingofwhispers，loweredvoices，thecomingandgoingoflightfootsteps，theuneasyshiftingofpositions，whilefrombehindthecloseddoorsoftheharnessroomcameaprolonged，sullenhumofangerandstrenuousdebate。Thedancecametoanabruptend。Theguests，unwillingtogoasyet，stunned，distressed，stoodclumsilyabout，theireyesvague，theirhandsswingingattheirsides，lookingstupidlyintoeachothers’faces。Asenseofimpendingcalamity，oppressive，foreboding，gloomy，passedthroughtheairoverheadinthenight，alongshiverofanguishandofterror，mysterious，despairing。
Intheharnessroom，however，theexcitementcontinuedunchecked。
Onerancherafteranotherdeliveredhimselfofatorrentoffuriouswords。Therewasnoorder，merelythefrenziedoutcryofblindfury。Onespiritalonewascommontoall——resistanceatwhatevercostandtowhateverlengths。
SuddenlyOstermanleapedtohisfeet，hisbaldheadgleaminginthelamp-light，hisredearsdistended，afloodofwordsfillinghisgreat，horizontalslitofamouth，hiscomicactor’sfaceflaming。Liketheheroofamelodrama，hetookstagewithagreatsweepinggesture。
ORGANISATION，heshouted，thatmustbeourwatch-word。Thecurseoftheranchersisthattheyfritterawaytheirstrength。
Now，wemuststandtogether，now，NOW。Here’sthecrisis，here’sthemoment。Shallwemeetit？ICALLFORTHELEAGUE。Notnextweek，notto-morrow，notinthemorning，butnow，now，now，thisverymoment，beforewegooutofthatdoor。Everyoneofusheretojoinit，toformthebeginningsofavastorganisation，bandedtogethertodeath，ifneedsbe，fortheprotectionofourrightsandhomes。Areyouready？Isitnowornever？IcallfortheLeague。
Instantlytherewasashout。Withanactor’sinstinct，Ostermanhadspokenattheprecisepsychologicalmoment。Hecarriedtheothersofftheirfeet，glib，dexterous，voluble。JustwhatwasmeantbytheLeaguetheothersdidnotknow，butitwassomething，avagueengine，amachinewithwhichtofight。
Ostermanhadnotdonespeakingbeforetheroomrangwithoutcries，thecrowdofmenshouting，forwhattheydidnotknow。
TheLeague！TheLeague！
Now，to-night，thismoment。signournamesbeforeweleave。
He’sright。Organisation！TheLeague！
Wehaveacommitteeatworkalready，Ostermanvociferated。I
amamember，andalsoMr。Broderson，Mr。Annixter，andMr。HarranDerrick。Whatouraimsarewewillexplaintoyoulater。LetthiscommitteebethenucleusoftheLeague——temporarily，atleast。Trustus。Weareworkingforyouandwithyou。LetthiscommitteebemergedintothelargercommitteeoftheLeague，andforPresidentoftheLeague——hepausedthefractionofasecond——
forPresidenttherecanbebutonenamementioned，onemantowhomweallmustlookasleader——MagnusDerrick。
TheGovernor’snamewasreceivedwithastormofcheers。Theharnessroomreechoedwithshoutsof：
Derrick！Derrick！
MagnusforPresident！
Derrick，ournaturalleader。
Derrick，Derrick，DerrickforPresident。
Magnusrosetohisfeet。Hemadenogesture。Erectasacavalryofficer，tall，thin，commanding，hedominatedthecrowdinaninstant。Therewasamoment’shush。
Gentlemen，hesaid，iforganisationisagoodword，moderationisabetterone。Thematteristoograveforhaste。Iwouldsuggestthatweeachandseverallyreturntoourrespectivehomesforthenight，sleepoverwhathashappened，andconveneagainto-morrow，whenwearecalmerandcanapproachthisaffairinamorejudiciousmood。Asforthehonourwithwhichyouwouldinformme，Imustaffirmthatthat，too，isamatterforgravedeliberation。ThisLeagueisbutanameasyet。Toacceptcontrolofanorganisationwhoseprinciplesarenotyetfixedisaheavyresponsibility。Ishrinkfromit——
Buthewasallowedtoproceednofarther。Astormofprotestdeveloped。Therewereshoutsof：
No，no。TheLeagueto-nightandDerrickforPresident。
Wehavebeenmoderatetoolong。
TheLeaguefirst，principlesafterward。
Wecan’twait，declaredOsterman。Manyofuscannotattendameetingto-morrow。Ourbusinessaffairswouldpreventit。Nowwearealltogether。Iproposeatemporarychairmanandsecretarybenamedandaballotbetaken。ButfirsttheLeague。
Letusdrawupasetofresolutionstostandtogether，forthedefenceofourhomes，todeath，ifneedsbe，andeachmanpresentaffixhissignaturethereto。
Hesubsidedamidstvigorousapplause。Thenextquarterofanhourwasavagueconfusion，everyonetalkingatonce，conversationsgoingoninlowtonesinvariouscornersoftheroom。Ink，pens，andasheafoffoolscapwerebroughtfromtheranchhouse。Asetofresolutionswasdraughted，havingtheforceofapledge，organisingtheLeagueofDefence。Annixterwasthefirsttosign。Othersfollowed，onlyafewholdingback，refusingtojointilltheyhadthoughtthematterover。Therollgrew。thepapercirculatedaboutthetable。eachsignaturewaswelcomedbyasalvoofcheers。Atlength，itreachedHarranDerrick，whosignedamidtremendousuproar。Hereleasedthepenonlytoshakeascoreofhands。
Now，MagnusDerrick。
Gentlemen，begantheGovernor，oncemorerising，Ibegofyoutoallowmefurtherconsideration。Gentlemen
Hewasinterruptedbyrenewedshouting。
No，no，nowornever。Sign，jointheLeague。
Don’tleaveus。Welooktoyoutohelp。
ButpresentlytheexcitedthrongthatturnedtheirfacestowardstheGovernorwereawareofanewfaceathiselbow。ThedooroftheharnessroomhadbeenleftunboltedandMrs。Derrick，unabletoenduretheheart-breakingsuspenseofwaitingoutside，hadgatheredupallhercourageandhadcomeintotheroom。
Trembling，sheclungtoMagnus’sarm，herprettylight-brownhairindisarray，herlargeyounggirl’seyeswidewithterroranddistrust。Whatwasabouttohappenshedidnotunderstand，butthesemenwereclamouringforMagnustopledgehimselftosomething，tosometerriblecourseofaction，someruthless，unscrupulousbattletothedeathwiththeiron-heartedmonsterofsteelandsteam。Nervedwithacoward’sintrepidity，she，whosoeasilyobliteratedherself，hadfoundherwayintothemidstofthisfranticcrowd，intothishot，closeroom，reekingofalcoholandtobaccosmoke，intothisatmospheresurchargedwithhatredandcurses。Sheseizedherhusband’sarmimploring，distraughtwithterror。
No，no，shemurmured。no，don’tsign。
Shewasthefeathercaughtinthewhirlwind。Enmasse，thecrowdsurgedtowardtheerectfigureoftheGovernor，thepeninonehand，hiswife’sfingersintheother，therollofsignaturesbeforehim。Theclamourwasdeafening。theexcitementculminatedbrusquely。Halfahundredhandsstretchedtowardhim。thirtyvoices，attoppitch，implored，expostulated，urged，almostcommanded。Thereverberationoftheshoutingwasastheplungeofacataract。
ItwastheuprisingofThePeople。thethunderoftheoutbreakofrevolt。themobdemandingtobeled，arousedatlast，imperious，resistless，overwhelming。Itwastheblindfuryofinsurrection，thebrute，many-tongued，red-eyed，bellowingforguidance，baringitsteeth，unsheathingitsclaws，imposingitswillwiththeabrupt，resistlesspressureoftherelaxedpiston，inexorable，knowingnopity。
No，no，imploredAnnieDerrick。No，Magnus，don’tsign。
Hemust，declaredHarran，shoutinginhereartomakehimselfheard，hemust。Don’tyouunderstand？
Againthecrowdsurgedforward，roaring。Mrs。Derrickwassweptback，pushedtooneside。Herhusbandnolongerbelongedtoher。
Shepaidthepenaltyforbeingthewifeofagreatman。Theworld，likeacolossalironwedge，crusheditselfbetween。Shewasthrusttothewall。Thethrongofmen，stamping，surroundedMagnus。shecouldnolongerseehim，but，terror-struck，shelistened。Therewasamoment’slull，thenavastthunderofsavagejubilation。Magnushadsigned。
Harranfoundhismotherleaningagainstthewall，herhandsshutoverherears。hereyes，dilatedwithfear，brimmingwithtears。
Heledherfromtheharnessroomtotheouterroom，whereMrs。
TreeandHilmatookchargeofher，andthen，impatient，refusingtoanswerthehundredsofanxiousquestionsthatassailedhim，hurriedbacktotheharnessroom。
Alreadytheballotingwasinprogress，OstermanactingastemporarychairmanontheveryfirstballothewasmadesecretaryoftheLeagueprotem。，andMagnusunanimouslychosenforitsPresident。Anexecutivecommitteewasformed，whichwastomeetthenextdayattheLosMuertosranchhouse。
Itwashalf-pastoneo’clock。Inthebarnoutsidethegreaternumberoftheguestshaddeparted。Longsincethemusicianshaddisappeared。Thereonlyremainedthefamiliesoftheranchownersinvolvedinthemeetingintheharnessroom。Thesehuddledinisolatedgroupsincornersofthegarish，echoingbarn，thewomenintheirwraps，theyoungmenwiththeircoatcollarsturnedupagainstthedraughtsthatoncemoremadethemselvesfelt。
Foralonghalfhourtheloudhumofeagerconversationcontinuedtoissuefrombehindthedooroftheharnessroom。Then，atlength，therewasaprolongedscrapingofchairs。Thesessionwasover。Themencameoutingroups，searchingfortheirfamilies。
Atoncethehomewardmovementbegan。Everyonewaswornout。
Someoftheranchers’daughtershadgonetosleepagainsttheirmothers’shoulders。
Billy，thestableman，andhisassistantwereawakened，andtheteamswerehitchedup。Thestableyardwasfullofamazeofswinginglanternsandbuggylamps。Thehorsesfretted，champingthebits。thecarry-allscreakedwiththestrainingofleatherandspringsastheyreceivedtheirloads。Ateveryinstantoneheardtherattleofwheels。asvehicleaftervehicledisappearedinthenight。
Afine，drizzlingrainwasfalling，andthelampsbegantoshowdiminavaguehazeoforangelight。
MagnusDerrickwasthelasttogo。AtthedoorwayofthebarnhefoundAnnixter，therollofnames——whichithadbeendecidedhewastokeepinhissafeforthemoment——underhisarm。Silentlythetwoshookhands。Magnusdeparted。Thegrindofthewheelsofhiscarry-allgratedsharplyonthegravelofthedrivewayinfrontoftheranchhouse，then，withahollowrollacrossalittleplankbridge，gainedtheroadway。Foramomentthebeatofthehorses’hoofsmadeitselfheardontheroadway。Itceased。Suddenlytherewasagreatsilence。
Annixter，inthedoorwayofthegreatbarn，stoodlookingabouthimforamoment，alone，thoughtful。Thebarnwasempty。Thatastonishingeveninghadcometoanend。Thewhirlofthingsandpeople，thecrowdofdancers，Delaney，thegunfight，HilmaTree，hereyesfixedonhiminmuteconfession，therabbleintheharnessroom，thenewsoftheregrade，thefierceoutburstofwrath，thehastyorganisingoftheLeague，allwentspinningconfusedlythroughhisrecollection。Buthewasexhausted。Timeenoughinthemorningtothinkitallover。Bynowitwasrainingsharply。Heputtherollofnamesintohisinsidepocket，threwasackoverhisheadandshoulders，andwentdowntotheranchhouse。
Butintheharnessroom，lightedbytheglitteringlanternsandflaringlamps，inthemidstofoverturnedchairs，spilledliquor，cigarstumps，andbrokenglasses，VanameeandPresleystillremainedtalking，talking。Atlength，theyrose，andcameoutuponthefloorofthebarnandstoodforamomentlookingaboutthem。
Billy，thestableman，wasgoingtheroundsofthewalls，puttingoutlightafterlight。Bydegrees，thevastinteriorwasgrowingdim。Upontheroofoverheadtheraindrummedincessantly，theeavesdripping。Thefloorwaslitteredwithpineneedles，bitsoforangepeel，endsandfragmentsoftornorgandiesandmuslinsandbitsoftissuepaperfromthePhrygianBonnetsandLibertyCaps。Thebuckskinmareinthestall，dozingonthreelegs，changedpositionwithalongsigh。Thesweatstiffeningthehairuponherbackandloins，asitdried，gaveoffapenetrating，ammoniacalodourthatmingledwiththestaleperfumeofsachetandwiltedflowers。
PresleyandVanameestoodlookingatthedesertedbarn。Therewasalongsilence。ThenPresleysaid：
Well……whatdoyouthinkofitall？
Ithink，answeredVanameeslowly，IthinkthattherewasadanceinBrusselsthenightbeforeWaterloo。
BOOKII
CHAPTERI
InhisofficeatSanFrancisco，seatedbeforeamassivedeskofpolishedredwood，veryornate，LymanDerricksatdictatingletterstohistypewriter，onacertainmorningearlyinthespringoftheyear。Thesubduedmonotoneofhisvoiceproceededevenlyfromsentencetosentence，regular，precise，businesslike。
Ihavethehonourtoacknowledgeherewithyourfavourofthe14thinstant，andinreplywouldstate——
PleasefindencloseddraftuponNewOrleanstobeappliedasperourunderstanding——
InanswertoyourfavourNo。1107，referringtothecaseoftheCityandCountyofSanFranciscoagainstExcelsiorWarehouse&
StorageCo。，Iwouldsay——
Hisvoicecontinued，expressionless，measured，distinct。Whilehespoke，heswungslowlybackandforthinhisleatherswivelchair，hiselbowsrestingonthearms，hispopeyesfixedvaguelyuponthecalendarontheoppositewall，winkingatintervalswhenhepaused，searchingforaword。
That’sallforthepresent，hesaidatlength。
Withoutreply，thetypewriterroseandwithdrew，thrustingherpencilintothecoilofherhair，closingthedoorbehindher，softly，discreetly。
Whenshehadgone，Lymanrose，stretchinghimselfputtingupthreefingerstohidehisyawn。Tofurtherloosenhismuscles，hetookacoupleofturnsthelengthofheroom，notingwithsatisfactionitsfineappointments，thepaddedredcarpet，thedullolivegreentintofthewalls，thefewchoiceengravings——
portraitsofMarshall，Taney，Field，andacolouredlithograph——
excellentlydone——oftheGrandCanyonoftheColorado——thedeep-
seatedleatherchairs，thelargeandcrowdedbookcasetoppedwithabustofJamesLick，andahugegreenishglobe，thewastebasketofwovencolouredgrass，madebyNavajoIndians，themassivesilverinkstandonthedesk，theelaboratefilingcabinet，completeineveryparticular，andtheshelvesoftinboxes，padlocked，impressive，grave，bearingthenamesofclients，casesandestates。
Hewasbetweenthirty-oneandthirty-fiveyearsofage。UnlikeHarran，heresembledhismother，buthewasmuchdarkerthanAnnieDerrickandhiseyesweremuchfuller，theeyeballprotruding，givinghimapop-eyed，foreignexpression，quiteunusualandunexpected。Hishairwasblack，andheworeasmall，tight，pointedmustache，whichhewasinthehabitofpushingdelicatelyupwardfromthecornersofhislipswiththeballofhisthumb，thelittlefingerextended。Asoftenashemadethisgesture，heprefaceditwithalittletwistinggestureoftheforearminordertobringhiscuffintoview，and，infact，thismovementbyitselfwashabitual。
Hewasdressedcarefully，histrouserscreased，apinkroseinhislapel。Hisshoeswereofpatentleather，hiscutawaycoatwasofveryroughblackcheviot，hisdouble-breastedwaistcoatoftancoveredclothwithbuttonsofsmokedpearl。AnAscotscarf——
agreatpuffofheavyblacksilk——wasathisneck，theknottransfixedbyatinygoldenpinsetoffwithanopalandfoursmalldiamonds。
Atoneendoftheroomweretwogreatwindowsofplateglass，andpausingatlengthbeforeoneofthese，Lymanselectedacigarettefromhiscurvedboxofoxydizedsilver，lititandstoodlookingdownandout，willingtobeidleforamoment，amusedandinterestedintheview。
HisofficewasonthetenthflooroftheEXCHANGEBUILDING，abeautiful，tower-likeaffairofwhitestone，thatstoodonthecornerofMarketStreetnearitsintersectionwithKearney，themostimposingofficebuildingofthecity。
Belowhimthecityswarmedtumultuousthroughitsgrooves，thecable-carsstartingandstoppingwithagayjanglingofbellsandastridentwhirringofjostledglasswindows。Draysandcartsclatteredoverthecobbles，andanincessantshufflingofthousandsoffeetrosefromthepavement。AroundLotta’sfountainthebasketsoftheflowersellers，crammedwithchrysanthemums，violets，pinks，roses，lilies，hyacinths，setabrisknoteofcolourinthegreyofthestreet。
ButtoLyman’snotionthegeneralimpressionofthiscentreofthecity’slifewasnotoneofstrenuousbusinessactivity。Itwasacontinuousinterestinsmallthings，apeopleeverwillingtobeamusedattrifles，refusingtoconsiderseriousmatters——
good-natured，allowingthemselvestobeimposedupon，takinglifeeasily——generous，companionable，enthusiastic。living，asitwere，fromdaytoday，inaplacewheretheluxuriesoflifewerehadwithouteffort。inacitythatofferedtoconsiderationtherestlessnessofaNewYork，withoutitsearnestness。theserenityofaNaples，withoutitslanguor。theromanceofaSeville，withoutitspicturesqueness。
AsLymanturnedfromthewindow，abouttoresumehiswork，theofficeboyappearedatthedoor。
Themanfromthelithographcompany，sir，announcedtheboy。
Well，whatdoeshewant？demandedLyman，adding，however，upontheinstant：Showhimin。
Ayoungmanentered，carryingagreatbundle，whichhedepositedonachair，withagaspofrelief，exclaiming，alloutofbreath：
FromtheStandardLithographCompany。
Whatis？
Don’tknow，repliedtheother。Maps，Iguess。
Idon’twantanymaps。Whosentthem？Iguessyou’remistaken。
Lymantorethecoverfromthetopofthepackage，drawingoutoneofagreatmanyhugesheetsofwhitepaper，foldedeighttimes。
Suddenly，heutteredanexclamation：
Ah，Isee。TheyAREmaps。Buttheseshouldnothavecomehere。
Theyaretogototheregularofficefordistribution。Hewroteanewdirectiononthelabelofthepackage：Takethemtothataddress，hewenton。I’llkeepthisonehere。Theothersgotothataddress。IfyouseeMr。Darrell，tellhimthatMr。
Derrick——yougetthename——Mr。Derrickmaynotbeabletogetaroundthisafternoon，buttogoaheadwithanybusinessjustthesame。
TheyoungmandepartedwiththepackageandLyman，spreadingoutthemapuponthetable，remainedforsometimestudyingitthoughtfully。
Itwasacommissioner’sofficialrailwaymapoftheStateofCalifornia，completedtoMarch30thofthatyear。UponitthedifferentrailwaysoftheStatewereaccuratelyplottedinvariouscolours，blue，green，yellow。However，theblue，theyellow，andthegreenwerebutbrieftraceries，veryshort，isolated，unimportant。Atalittledistancethesecouldhardlybeseen。Thewholemapwasgridironedbyavast，complicatednetworkofredlinesmarkedP。andS。W。R。R。ThesecentralisedatSanFranciscoandthenceramifiedandspreadnorth，east，andsouth，toeveryquarteroftheState。FromColes，inthetopmostcornerofthemap，toYumainthelowest，fromRenoononesidetoSanFranciscoontheother，rantheplexusofred，averitablesystemofbloodcirculation，complicated，dividing，andreuniting，branching，splitting，extending，throwingoutfeelers，off-shoots，taproots，feeders——
diminutivelittlebloodsuckersthatshotoutfromthemainjugularandwenttwistingupintosomeremotecounty，layingholduponsomeforgottenvillageortown，involvingitinoneofamyriadbranchingcoils，oneofahundredtentacles，drawingit，asitwere，towardthatcentrefromwhichallthissystemsprang。
Themapwaswhite，anditseemedasifallthecolourwhichshouldhavegonetovivifythevariouscounties，towns，andcitiesmarkeduponithadbeenabsorbedbythathuge，sprawlingorganism，withitsruddyarteriesconvergingtoacentralpoint。
ItwasasthoughtheStatehadbeensuckedwhiteandcolourless，andagainstthispallidbackgroundtheredarteriesofthemonsterstoodout，swollenwithlife-blood，reachingouttoinfinity，gorgedtobursting。anexcrescence，agiganticparasitefatteninguponthelife-bloodofanentirecommonwealth。
However，inanuppercornerofthemapappearedthenamesofthethreenewcommissioners：JonesMcNishforthefirstdistrict，LymanDerrickforthesecond，andJamesDarrellforthethird。
NominatedintheDemocraticStateconventioninthefalloftheprecedingyear，Lyman，backedbythecoteriesofSanFranciscobossesinthepayofhisfather’spoliticalcommitteeofranchers，hadbeenelectedtogetherwithDarrell，thecandidateofthePuebloandMojaveroad，andMcNish，theavowedcandidateofthePacificandSouthwestern。DarrellwasrabidlyagainsttheP。andS。W。，McNishrabidlyforit。Lymanwassupposedtobetheconservativememberoftheboard，theranchers’candidate，itwastrue，andfaithfultotheirinterests，butacalmman，deliberative，swayedbynosuchviolentemotionsashiscolleagues。
Osterman’sdexterityhadatlastsucceededinentanglingMagnusinextricablyinthenewpolitics。ThefamousLeague，organisedintheheatofpassionthenightofAnnixter’sbarndance，hadbeenconsolidatedallthroughthewintermonths。Itsexecutivecommittee，ofwhichMagnuswaschairman，hadbeen，throughOsterman’smanipulation，mergedintotheoldcommitteecomposedofBroderson，Annixter，andhimself。Promptlythereathehadresignedthechairmanshipofthiscommittee，thusleavingMagnusatitshead。PreciselyasOstermanhadplanned，Magnuswasnowoneofthem。Thenewcommitteeaccordinglyhadtwoobjectsinview：toresisttheattemptedgrabbingoftheirlandsbytheRailroad，andtopushforwardtheirownsecretschemeofelectingaboardofrailroadcommissionerswhoshouldregulatewheatratessoastofavourtheranchersoftheSanJoaquin。Thelandcaseswerepromptlytakentothecourtsandthenewgrading——fixingthepriceofthelandsattwentyandthirtydollarsanacreinsteadoftwo——bitterlyandstubbornlyfought。Butdelaysoccurred，theprocessofthelawwasinterminable，andintheintervalsthecommitteeaddresseditselftotheworkofseatingtheRanchers’
Commission，astheprojectedBoardofCommissionerscametobecalled。
ItwasHarranwhofirstsuggestedthathisbrother，Lyman，beputforwardasthecandidateforthisdistrict。Atoncethepropositionhadagreatsuccess。Lymanseemedmadefortheplace。Whilealliedbyeverytieofbloodtotheranchinginterests，hehadneverbeenidentifiedwiththem。Hewascity-
bred。TheRailroadwouldnotbeover-suspiciousofhim。Hewasagoodlawyer，agoodbusinessman，keen，clear-headed，far-
sighted，hadalreadysomepracticalknowledgeofpolitics，havingservedatermasassistantdistrictattorney，andevenatthepresentmomentoccupyingthepositionofsheriff’sattorney。
Morethanall，hewasthesonofMagnusDerrick。hecouldbereliedupon，couldbetrustedimplicitlytoremainloyaltotheranchers’cause。
ThecampaignforRailroadCommissionerhadbeenveryinteresting。
AttheveryoutsetMagnus’scommitteefounditselfinvolvedincorruptpolitics。Theprimarieshadtobecapturedatallcostsandbyanymeans，andwhentheconventionassembleditwasfoundnecessarytobuyoutrightthevotesofcertaindelegates。ThecampaignfundraisedbycontributionsfromMagnus，Annixter，Broderson，andOstermanwasdrawnupontotheextentoffivethousanddollars。
Onlythecommitteeknewofthiscorruption。TheLeague，ignoringwaysandmeans，supposedasamatterofcoursethatthecampaignwashonorablyconducted。
Forawholeweekaftertheconsummationofthispartofthedeal，Magnushadkepttohishouse，refusingtobeseen，allegingthathewasill，whichwasnotfarfromthetruth。Theshameofthebusiness，theloathingofwhathehaddone，weretohimthingsunspeakable。HecouldnolongerlookHarranintheface。Hebeganacourseofdeceptionwithhiswife。Morethanonce，hehadresolvedtobreakwiththewholeaffair，resigninghisposition，allowingtheotherstoproceedwithouthim。Butnowitwastoolate。Hewaspledged。HehadjoinedtheLeague。Hewasitschief，andhisdefectionmightmeanitsdisintegrationattheverytimewhenitneededallitsstrengthtofightthelandcases。Morethanameredealinbadpoliticswasinvolved。
Therewasthelandgrab。Hiswithdrawalfromanunholycausewouldmeantheweakening，perhapsthecollapse，ofanothercausethathebelievedtoberighteousastruthitself。Hewashopelesslycaughtinthemesh。WrongseemedindissolublyknittedintothetextureofRight。Hewasblinded，dizzied，overwhelmed，caughtinthecurrentofevents，andhurriedalongheknewnotwhere。Heresignedhimself。
Intheend，andaftermuchostentatiousoppositiononthepartoftherailroadheelers，Lymanwasnominatedandsubsequentlyelected。
WhenthisconsummationwasreachedMagnus，Osterman，Broderson，andAnnixterstaredateachother。Theirwildesthopeshadnotdaredtofixthemselvesuponsoeasyavictoryasthis。Itwasnotbelievablethatthecorporationwouldallowitselftobefooledsoeasily，wouldrushopen-eyedintothetrap。Howhadithappened？
Osterman，however，threwhishatintotheairwithwildwhoopsofdelight。OldBrodersonpermittedhimselfafeeblecheer。EvenMagnusbeamedsatisfaction。TheothermembersoftheLeague，presentatthetime，shookhandsallaroundandspokeofopeningafewbottlesonthestrengthoftheoccasion。Annixteralonewasrecalcitrant。
It’stooeasy，hedeclared。No，I’mnotsatisfied。Where’sShelgriminallthis？Whydon’theshowhishand，damnhissoul？Thethingisyellow，Itellyou。There’sabigfishinthesewaterssomewheres。Idon’tknowhisname，andIdon’tknowhisgame，buthe’smovingroundoffandon，justoutofsight。
Ifyouthinkyou’venettedhim，IDON’T，that’sallI’vegottosay。
Buthewasjeereddownasacroaker。TherewastheCommission。
Hecouldn’tgetaroundthat，couldhe？TherewasDarrellandLymanDerrick，bothpledgedtotheranches。GoodLord，hewasneversatisfied。He’dbeobstinatetilltheverylastgunwasfired。Why，ifhegotdrownedinariverhe’dfloatupstreamjusttobecontrary。
Inthecourseoftime，thenewboardwasseated。Forthefirstfewmonthsofitsterm，itwasoccupiedinclearingupthebusinessleftoverbytheoldboardandinthecompletionoftherailwaymap。Butnow，thedeckswerecleared。ItwasabouttoaddressitselftotheconsiderationofarevisionofthetariffforthecarriageofgrainbetweentheSanJoaquinValleyandtide-water。
BothLymanandDarrellwerepledgedtoanaveragetenpercent。
cutofthegrainratesthroughouttheentireState。
ThetypewriterreturnedwiththelettersforLymantosign，andheputawaythemapandtookuphismorning’sroutineofbusiness，wondering，thewhile，whatwouldbecomeofhispracticeduringthetimehewasinvolvedinthebusinessoftheRanchers’
RailroadCommission。
Buttowardsnoon，atthemomentwhenLymanwasdrawingoffaglassofmineralwaterfromthesiphonthatstoodathiselbow，therewasaninterruption。Someonerappedvigorouslyuponthedoor，whichwasimmediatelyafteropened，andMagnusandHarrancamein，followedbyPresley。
Hello，hello！criedLyman，jumpingup，extendinghishands，why，here’sasurprise。Ididn’texpectyoualltillto-night。
Comein，comeinandsitdown。Haveaglassofsizz-water，Governor。
TheothersexplainedthattheyhadcomeupfromBonnevillethenightbefore，astheExecutiveCommitteeoftheLeaguehadreceivedadespatchfromthelawyersithadretainedtofighttheRailroad，thatthejudgeofthecourtinSanFrancisco，wherethetestcaseswerebeingtried，mightbeexpectedtohanddownhisdecisionthenextday。
Verysoonaftertheannouncementofthenewgradingoftheranchers’lands，thecorporationhadoffered，throughS。Behrman，toleasethedisputedlandstotheranchersatanominalfigure。
Theofferhadbeenangrilyrejected，andtheRailroadhadputupthelandsforsaleatRuggles’sofficeinBonneville。Attheexorbitantpricenamed，buyerspromptlyappeared——dummybuyers，beyondshadowofdoubt，actingeitherfortheRailroadorforS。
Behrman——menhithertounknowninthecounty，menwithoutproperty，withoutmoney，adventurers，heelers。Prominentamongthem，andbiddingfortherailroad’sholdingsincludedonAnnixter’sranch，wasDelaney。
Thefarceofdeedingthecorporation’ssectionstothesefictitiouspurchaserswassolemnlygonethroughwithatRuggles’soffice，theRailroadguaranteeingthempossession。TheLeaguerefusedtoallowthesupposedbuyerstocomeupontheland，andtheRailroad，faithfultoitspledgeinthematterofguaranteeingitsdummiespossession，atoncebegansuitsinejectmentinthedistrictcourtinVisalia，thecountyseat。
Itwasthepreliminaryskirmish，thereconnaisanceinforce，thecombatantsfeelingeachother’sstrength，willingtoproceedwithcaution，postponingtheactualdeath-gripforawhiletilleachhadstrengtheneditspositionandorganiseditsforces。
DuringthetimethecaseswereontrialatVisalia，S。Behrmanwasmuchinevidenceinandaboutthecourts。Thetrialitself，aftertediouspreliminaries，wasbrief。Therancherslost。ThetestcaseswereimmediatelycarrieduptotheUnitedStatesCircuitCourtinSanFrancisco。Atthemomentthedecisionofthiscourtwaspending。
Why，thisisnews，exclaimedLyman，inresponsetotheGovernor’sannouncement。Ididnotexpectthemtobesoprompt。
Iwasincourtonlylastweekandthereseemedtobenoendofbusinessahead。Isupposeyouareveryanxious？
Magnusnodded。HehadseatedhimselfinoneofLyman’sdeepchairs，hisgreytop-hat，withitswidebrim，onthefloorbesidehim。Hiscoatofblackbroad-cloththathadbeentightlypackedinhisvalise，wasyetwrinkledandcreased。histrouserswerestrappedunderhishighboots。Ashespoke，hestrokedthebridgeofhishawklikenosewithhisbentforefinger。
Leaning-backinhischair，hewatchedhistwosonswithsecretdelight。Tohiseye，bothwereperfectspecimensoftheirclass，intelligent，well-looking，resourceful。Hewasintenselyproudofthem。Hewasneverhappier，nevermorenearlyjovial，nevermoreerect，moremilitary，morealert，andbuoyantthanwheninthecompanyofhistwosons。Hehonestlybelievedthatnofinerexamplesofyoungmanhoodexistedthroughouttheentirenation。
Ithinkweshouldwininthiscourt，Harranobserved，watchingthebubblesbreakinhisglass。TheinvestigationhasbeenmuchmorecompletethanintheVisaliatrial。Ourcasethistimeistoogood。Ithasmadetoomuchtalk。ThecourtwouldnotdarerenderadecisionfortheRailroad。Why，there’stheagreementinblackandwhite——andthecircularstheRailroadissued。HowCANonegetaroundthose？
Well，well，weshallknowinafewhoursnow，remarkedMagnus。
Oh，exclaimedLyman，surprised，itisforthismorning，then。
Whyaren’tyouatthecourt？
Itseemedundignified，boy，answeredtheGovernor。Weshallknowsoonenough。
GoodGod！exclaimedHarranabruptly，whenIthinkofwhatisinvolved。Why，Lyman，it’sourhome，theranchhouseitself，nearlyallLosMuertos，practicallyourwholefortune，andjustnowwhenthereispromiseofanenormouscropofwheat。Anditisnotonlyus。
ThereareoverhalfamillionacresoftheSanJoaquininvolved。
Insomecasesofthesmallerranches，itistheconfiscationofthewholeoftherancher’sland。Ifthisthinggoesthrough，itwillabsolutelybeggarnearlyahundredmen。Brodersonwouldn’thaveathousandacrestohisname。Why，it’smonstrous。
Butthecorporationsofferedtoleasetheselands，remarkedLyman。Areanyoftherancherstakingupthatoffer——orareanyofthembuyingoutright？
Buying！Atthenewfigure！exclaimedHarran，attwentyandthirtyanacre！Why，there’snotoneintenthatCAN。Theyareland-poor。Andasforleasing——leasinglandtheyvirtuallyown——
no，there’spreciousfewaredoingthat，thankGod！Thatwouldbeacknowledgingtherailroad’sownershiprightaway——forfeitingtheirrightsforgood。NoneoftheLEAGUERSaredoingit，I
know。Thatwouldbetherankesttreachery。
Hepausedforamoment，drinkingtherestofthemineralwater，theninterruptingLyman，whowasabouttospeaktoPresley，drawinghimintotheconversationthroughpoliteness，said：
Mattersarejustrompingrightalongtoacrisisthesedays。
It’samakeorbreakforthewheatgrowersoftheStatenow，nomistake。Herearethelandcasesandthenewgraintariffdrawingtoaheadataboutthesametime。Ifwewinourlandcases，there’syournewfreightratestobeapplied，andthenallisbeerandskittles。Won’ttheSanJoaquingowildifwepullitoff，andIbelievewewill。
Howwewheatgrowersareexploitedandtrappedanddeceivedateveryturn，observedMagnussadly。Thecourts，thecapitalists，therailroads，eachoftheminturnhoodwinksusintosomenewandwonderfulscheme，onlytobetrayusintheend。
Well，headded，turningtoLyman，onethingatleastwecandependon。Wewillcuttheirgrainratesforthem，eh，Lyman？
Lymancrossedhislegsandsettledhimselfinhisofficechair。
Ihavewantedtohaveatalkwithyouaboutthat，sir，hesaid。
Yes，wewillcuttherates——anaverage10percent。cutthroughouttheState，aswearepledged。ButIamgoingtowarnyou，Governor，andyou，Harran。don’texpecttoomuchatfirst。
Themanwho，evenaftertwentyyears’trainingintheoperationofrailroads，candrawanequitable，smoothlyworkingscheduleoffreightratesbetweenshippingpointandcommonpoint，iscapableofgoverningtheUnitedStates。Whatwithmainlines，andleasedlines，andpointsoftransfer，andthelawsgoverningcommoncarriers，andtherulingsoftheInter-StateCommerceCommission，thewholematterhasbecomesoconfusedthatVanderbilthimselfcouldn’tstraightenitout。Andhowcanitbeexpectedthatrailroadcommissionswhoarechosen——well，let’sbefrank——asourswas，forinstance，fromoutanumberofmenwhodon’tknowthedifferencebetweenaswitchingchargeandadifferentialrate，aregoingtoregulatethewholebusinessinsixmonths’
time？Cutrates。yes，anyfoolcandothat。anyfoolcanwriteonedollarinsteadoftwo，butifyoucuttoolowbyafractionofonepercent。andiftherailroadcangetoutaninjunction，tieyouupandshowthatyournewratepreventstheroadbeingoperatedataprofit，howareyouanybetteroff？
Yourconscientiousnessdoesyoucredit，Lyman，saidtheGovernor。Irespectyouforit，myson。Iknowyouwillbefairtotherailroad。Thatisallwewant。Fairnesstothecorporationisfairnesstothefarmer，andwewon’texpectyoutoreadjustthewholematteroutofhand。Takeyourtime。Wecanaffordtowait。
Andsupposethenextcommissionisarailroadboard，andreversesallourfigures？
Theone-timeminingking，themostredoubtablepokerplayerofCalaverasCounty，permittedhimselfamomentarytwinkleofhiseyes。
Bythenitwillbetoolate。Wewill，allofus，havemadeourfortunesbythen。
TheremarkleftPresleyastonishedoutofallmeasureHenevercouldaccustomhimselftothesestrangelapsesintheGovernor’scharacter。Magnuswasbynatureapublicman，judicious，deliberate，standingfirmforprinciple，yetuponrareoccasion，bysomesuchremarkasthis，hewouldbetraythepresenceofasub-natureofrecklessness，inconsistent，allatvariancewithhiscreedsandtenets。
Attheverybottom，whenallwassaidanddone，MagnusremainedtheForty-niner。DeepdowninhisheartthespiritoftheAdventureryetpersisted。Wewillallofushavemadefortunesbythen。Thatwasitprecisely。Afterusthedeluge。Forallhispublicspirit，forallhischampionshipofjusticeandtruth，hisrespectforlaw，Magnusremainedthegambler，willingtoplayforcolossalstakes，tohazardafortuneonthechanceofwinningamillion。ItwasthetrueCaliforniaspiritthatfoundexpressionthroughhim，thespiritoftheWest，unwillingtooccupyitselfwithdetails，refusingtowait，tobepatient，toachievebylegitimateplodding。theminer’sinstinctofwealthacquiredinasinglenightprevailed，inspiteofall。ItwasinthisframeofmindthatMagnusandthemultitudeofotherranchersofwhomhewasatype，farmedtheirranches。Theyhadnolovefortheirland。Theywerenotattachedtothesoil。
Theyworkedtheirranchesasaquarterofacenturybeforetheyhadworkedtheirmines。TohusbandtheresourcesoftheirmarvellousSanJoaquin，theyconsideredniggardly，petty，Hebraic。Togetalltherewasoutoftheland，tosqueezeitdry，toexhaustit，seemedtheirpolicy。When，atlast，thelandwornout，wouldrefusetoyield，theywouldinvesttheirmoneyinsomethingelse。bythen，theywouldallhavemadefortunes。Theydidnotcare。Afterusthedeluge。
Lyman，however，wasobviouslyuneasy，willingtochangethesubject。Herosetohisfeet，pullingdownhiscuffs。
Bytheway，heobserved，Iwantyouthreetolunchwithmeto-
dayatmyclub。Itiscloseby。Youcanwaittherefornewsofthecourt’sdecisionaswellasanywhereelse，andIshouldliketoshowyoutheplace。Ihavejustjoined。
Attheclub，whenthefourmenwereseatedatasmalltableintheroundwindowofthemainroom，Lyman’spopularitywithallclasseswasveryapparent。Hardlyamanenteredthatdidnotcalloutasalutationtohim，someevencomingovertoshakehishand。Heseemedtobeeveryman’sfriend，andtoallheseemedequallygenial。Hisaffability，eventothosewhomhedisliked，wasunfailing。