ttle moment. He lived in the
present. But Neale was different. He had to be anticipating events; he
lived in the future, his mind was centered on future work, achievement,
and what he might go through in attaining his end. Slingerland was his
appreciative listener.

"Wal," he would say, shaking his grizzled head, "I reckon I don't
believe all your General Lodge says is goin' to happen."

"But, man, can't you imagine what it will be?" protested Neale. "Take
thousands of soldiers--the riffraff of the war--and thousands of
laborers of all classes, niggers, greasers, pigtail chinks, and Irish.
Take thousands of men who want to earn an honest dollar, but not
honestly. All the gamblers, outlaws, robbers, murderers, criminals,
adventurers in the States, and perhaps many from abroad, will be on the
trail. Think, man, of the money--the gold! Millions spilled out in these
wilds!... And last and worst--the bad women!"

Slingerland showed his amazement at the pictures drawn by Neale,
especially at the final one.

"Wal, I reckon thet's all guff too," he said. "A lot of bad women out in
these wilds ain't to be feared. Supposin' thar was a lot of them which
ain't likely--how'd they ever git out to the camps?"

"Slingerland, the trains--the trains will follow the laying of the
rails!"

"Oho! An' you mean thar'll be towns grow up overnightall full of bad
people who ain't workin' on the railroad, but jest followin' the gold?"

"Exactly. Now listen. Remember all these mixed gangs--the gold--and the
bad women--out here in the wild country--no law--no restraint--no fear,
except of death--drinking-hells--gambling-hells--dancing-hells! What's
going to happen?"

The trapper meditated a while, stroking his beard, and then he said:
"Wal, thar ain't enough gold to build thet railroad--an' if thar was it
couldn't never be done!"

"Ah!" cried Neale, raising his head sharply. "It's a matter of gold
first. Streams of gold! And then--can it be done?"

One day, as the time for Neale's departure grew closer, Slingerland's
quiet and peaceful valley was violated by a visit from four
rough-looking men.

They rode in without packs. It was significant to Neale that Larry swore
at sight of them, and then in his cool, easy way sauntered between them
and the cabin door, where Allie stood with astonishment fixed on her
beautiful face. The Texan always packed his heavy gun, and certainly no
Western men would mistake his quality. These visitors were