eem to be any copy of the call here, Squire. Some of 'em
says we'll waive the reading of it. I say no. I say we don't want any
holler to go out that this caucus wasn't run regular."

"It's only a 'technetical' point, anyway," protested one of the
disputants.

"Well, I wouldn't allow too many of those 'technetical' points to get by
in a caucus that you're ready to advertise under your reform headlines,"
advised the Duke. He settled himself against the boarding again. "Better
give us straight work, boys."

It was not a threat. But it operated as effectually. A member of the
town committee rapped for silence, and explained the situation rather
shamefacedly. He asked the voters to be patient until the call could be
prepared in the regular way.

"And now comes War Eagle Niles to help us kill time," observed Thornton.
The agitator was pushing toward them. Men were urging him forward. It
was evident that baiting their autocrat had become the favorite
diversion of Fort Canibas' voters that day.

"Perhaps it was all right once for politicians to lead people by the
nose, but it ain't all right now," stated Niles, as soon as he had
squirmed into a favorable position for attack. "People didn't know,
once. They didn't have newspapers, nor grange discussions, nor
lecturers, nor anything to keep 'em posted. They let themselves be led."

"Don't let yourself be led, Ivus. You're more interesting as you are
now, bolting with your head and tail up. But I wonder whether you know
just what it was you shied at?"

"Know? You bet I know!" shouted the demagogue. "How about taxes? I'm
paying more to-day on my little farm out back there than you're paying
on a whole township of your wild lands. And don't you suppose I know how
it's all arranged?"

"Why, Ivus, I suppose the chaps that have paid you to go around this
district shooting your mouth off about 'tyrants' have supplied you with
plenty of ammunition. Go ahead! I'd like to know how it was arranged,
according to their notions."

"Who was that man that drove up to your house this morning in his devil
machine, that cost more than my whole stand of farm buildings twice
over--that man that's standing there beside you now, sneering at the
voters of this State that he's been teaming? That's the Honor'ble
Presson. He's chairman of the State Committee. He runs the big hotel
down to the capital city. And where does he get money to buy automobiles
with? I know. It's out of selling rum over