ot by orations before senates
and assemblies, but by sessions of committees, caucuses, compromises
and expedients. His goal was to be in fact what Magnus was only in
name--governor. Lyman, with shut teeth, had resolved that some day he
would sit in the gubernatorial chair in Sacramento.

"Lyman is doing well," answered Magnus. "I could wish he was more
pronounced in his convictions, less willing to compromise, but I believe
him to be earnest and to have a talent for government and civics. His
ambition does him credit, and if he occupied himself a little more with
means and a little less with ends, he would, I am sure, be the ideal
servant of the people. But I am not afraid. The time will come when the
State will be proud of him."

As Harran turned the team into the driveway that led up to Annixter's
house, Magnus remarked:

"Harran, isn't that young Annixter himself on the porch?"

Harran nodded and remarked:

"By the way, Governor, I wouldn't seem too cordial in your invitation to
Annixter. He will be glad to come, I know, but if you seem to want him
too much, it is just like his confounded obstinacy to make objections."

"There is something in that," observed Magnus, as Harran drew up at the
porch of the house. "He is a queer, cross-grained fellow, but in many
ways sterling."

Annixter was lying in the hammock on the porch, precisely as Presley
had found him the day before, reading "David Copperfield" and stuffing
himself with dried prunes. When he recognised Magnus, however, he got
up, though careful to give evidence of the most poignant discomfort. He
explained his difficulty at great length, protesting that his stomach
was no better than a spongebag. Would Magnus and Harran get down and
have a drink? There was whiskey somewhere about.

Magnus, however, declined. He stated his errand, asking Annixter to come
over to Los Muertos that evening for seven o'clock dinner. Osterman and
Broderson would be there.

At once Annixter, even to Harran's surprise, put his chin in the
air, making excuses, fearing to compromise himself if he accepted too
readily. No, he did not think he could get around--was sure of it, in
fact. There were certain businesses he had on hand that evening. He had
practically made an appointment with a man at Bonneville; then, too,
he was thinking of going up to San Francisco to-morrow and needed his
sleep; would go to bed early; and besides all that, he was a very sick
man; his stomach was o