din' my own. Now begin the job,"
he added, to the surveying party, "an' we'll see who wants to have
trouble."

This argument was understood by Mr. Wright's adherents, and they kept at
a respectful distance, while the others did their work.

New stakes were set up without any regard to those already in position,
and the labor had but just been completed when the superintendent and
two members of his company arrived.

"Why are you not at work?" he asked one of the carpenters.

For reply the man pointed toward Joe, who was pacing to and fro on what
he believed to be the boundary line of his property.

"Get those timbers up," Mr. Wright cried angrily.

"You may drag them off; but the first one who dares so much as raise a
joist for any other purpose, shall suffer!" Joe shouted.

"Knock that fellow down! What business has he here?" and the
superintendent's voice trembled with suppressed fury.

"I'm where I belong, an' seein's how your men don't dare do the knockin'
down, s'pose you take a hand at it."

Mr. Wright advanced as if to act upon the suggestion; but before he
reached the imaginary line the miner shouted:

"If you put a foot on this land I'll shoot. Send your crowd home, and
then if you want to tackle me I'll throw the revolver down, an' meet you
half way."

The superintendent paid no attention to this remark, save to halt on the
safe side of the danger line, where he whispered a few words to one of
his men, and the latter started at full speed for Farley's.

"I reckon my jig is about up," Joe muttered to himself. "He's sent for
help, an' they're bound to bring what'll be of more service than this
revolver."

The surveyors, evidently believing there was no especial reason why they
should stay, now matters were nearing a crisis, took their departure,
and the miner was once more left alone to defend his rights. Ten minutes
later Fred appeared from among the trees, followed by five determined
looking men, and Joe's cheers were not ended when Mr. Hunter came in
view.

The lawyer shook hands with the miner as he said:

"You've saved us what might have been a bad mess. Now we have a
reasonably large force, and can hold out until an injunction is
procured."

"Are you likely to get one soon?"

"A clerk will bring it in a short time. The application has been
granted, and the only delay is while the papers can be made out."

"I'm glad of that, for Wright has sent after more help, an' when it
comes thin