the truth, he was successful, for
several men began to speak at once, and while disjointed words
interloped his remarks, the loudest of them said:

"You can't fool us, Savine. We're poor men with a living to earn, but
we're mighty tough, and nobody walks over us with nails in their boots.
If you can't hold up that river, where are we going to be? I'd sooner
shove in the giant powder to blow them up, than stand by and see my
crops and cattle washed out when your big dykes bust."

"So would I," cried several voices, and there was a rapid cross-fire of
question and comment. "Not the men to be fooled with." "Stand by our
rights; appeal to legislation, and choke this thing right up!" "Can
you make your dykes stand water at all?" "Give the man--a fair show."
"How many years do you figure on keeping us waiting?"

Savine rose somewhat stiffly from his chair, and Thurston noted an
ominous grayness in either cheek.

"There are just two things you can do," Savine said; "appeal to your
legislators to get my grants canceled, or sit tight and trust me. For
thirty-five years I've done my share in the development of the
Dominion, and I never took a contract I didn't put through. This has
proved a tough one, but if it costs me my last dollar----"

The honest persons among the malcontents were mostly struggling men,
who, having expected the operations would bring them swift prosperity,
had been the more disappointed. Still, the speaker's sincerity
inspired returning confidence, and, when he paused, there was a measure
of sympathy for him, for he seemed haggard and ill, and was one against
many. His guests began to wonder whether they had not been too
impatient and suspicious, and one broke in apologetically, "That's
good! We're not unreasonable. But we like straight talking--what if
the dykes keep on bursting?"

Then there was consternation, for Savine collapsed into his chair,
after he had said, "Mr. Thurston will tell you. Remember he acts for
me." To Geoffrey he whispered, "I don't feel well. Help me out, and
then go back to them."

"Sit still. Stand back! You have done rather too much already,"
Geoffrey declared, turning fiercely upon the men, who hurried forward,
one with a water decanter, and another with a wine glass.

The guests fell back before Thurston, as he led Savine, who leaned
heavily upon him, from the banquet room. As they entered a broad hall
Helen and her aunt passed along the veranda upon wh