led and creased; his trousers were strapped under his high boots.
As he spoke, he stroked the bridge of his hawklike nose with his bent
forefinger.

Leaning-back in his chair, he watched his two sons with secret delight.
To his eye, both were perfect specimens of their class, intelligent,
well-looking, resourceful. He was intensely proud of them. He was never
happier, never more nearly jovial, never more erect, more military, more
alert, and buoyant than when in the company of his two sons. He honestly
believed that no finer examples of young manhood existed throughout the
entire nation.

"I think we should win in this court," Harran observed, watching the
bubbles break in his glass. "The investigation has been much more
complete than in the Visalia trial. Our case this time is too good. It
has made too much talk. The court would not dare render a decision for
the Railroad. Why, there's the agreement in black and white--and the
circulars the Railroad issued. How CAN one get around those?"

"Well, well, we shall know in a few hours now," remarked Magnus.

"Oh," exclaimed Lyman, surprised, "it is for this morning, then. Why
aren't you at the court?"

"It seemed undignified, boy," answered the Governor. "We shall know soon
enough."

"Good God!" exclaimed Harran abruptly, "when I think of what is
involved. Why, Lyman, it's our home, the ranch house itself, nearly all
Los Muertos, practically our whole fortune, and just now when there is
promise of an enormous crop of wheat. And it is not only us. There are
over half a million acres of the San Joaquin involved. In some cases of
the smaller ranches, it is the confiscation of the whole of the
rancher's land. If this thing goes through, it will absolutely beggar
nearly a hundred men. Broderson wouldn't have a thousand acres to his
name. Why, it's monstrous."

"But the corporations offered to lease these lands," remarked Lyman.
"Are any of the ranchers taking up that offer--or are any of them buying
outright?"

"Buying! At the new figure!" exclaimed Harran, "at twenty and thirty an
acre! Why, there's not one in ten that CAN. They are land-poor. And as
for leasing--leasing land they virtually own--no, there's precious few
are doing that, thank God! That would be acknowledging the railroad's
ownership right away--forfeiting their rights for good. None of the
LEAGUERS are doing it, I know. That would be the rankest treachery."

He paused for a moment, drinking the rest o