llows have butted in all I'll stand for!" he cried at them, his
shut fists shaking. "I tell you I'm running this outfit and what I say
goes. I don't believe that Trevors or any man living would do a trick
like that. I tell you it's ridiculous. And, no matter where Judith
is, when she is not here I run the ranch. I need money; she needs
money; we've got a fair chance to sell; I've passed my word we are
going to sell; and by God, we are going to sell."

In another mood, Hampton would not have spoken this way. In another
mood and with time for argument, Bud Lee would have expostulated with
him. Now, however, Lee said tersely:

"Carson, it's up to you and me. Get the boys out, to the last man of
them. Turn every hoof of cattle and horses back into the Upper End.
We've got to do it to-night. Get them into the little valley above the
plateau. We can hold them there, even if they try to force our hands,
which will be like them. I take this to be Trevors's last big play.
And, by thunder, he has mighty near gotten away with it!"

"Don't you dare do it!" blazed out young Hampton. "Carson, you take
orders from me. Get out of this house and leave the stock where they
are. In the morning----"

"Go ahead, Carson," cut in Lee's hard voice. "I'll take care of
Hampton here."

"You will, will you?" cried Hampton.

With one bound he was at the table, jerking open a drawer. As his hand
sought the weapon lying there, Bud Lee was on him, throwing him back.
Carson looked at them a moment, then went to the door.

"You're right, Bud," he said calmly as he went out.

Lee, forcing himself to show a calmness like Carson's, said gently to
Hampton:

"Can't you see the play? It's up to you to kick in and stop it.
There's a telephone; call up the buyers in Rocky Bend. They're there
now, or at least their drivers are, if they're coming out here in the
morning. Tell them the deal is off."

"Can't I see?" said Hampton, writhing out of Lee's hands, on his way to
the door. "You bet I can see! If you and Carson think that you can
run me----"

Then, for good and all, Lee gave over trying to reason with Hampton.
There was too much to be done to waste time. He drew Hampton back,
forcing him against the wall. As he tried to call out, Lee's hand over
his mouth smothered his words.

"You're coming with me," he said sharply. "Right now."

Though he struggled, Hampton was little more than a baby in the horse
foreman's muscu