that they little
dreamed of.

"Yours is the finest tobacco I have seen," said one.

"Thank you," replied Wade carelessly. "Have you purchased much yet?"

"Only one barn. I'll offer you three and one-half cents at once for
yours."

Wade just stared at the speaker.

"I'll make it four cents," said the other.

Wade turned upon him sharply.

"Do you expect to buy much tobacco at that price?" he asked.

"We expect to purchase every pound of tobacco in this country at less
than five cents," said one.

In Wade's mind there was a set determination, born on the moment, that
they should not purchase one pound of tobacco for less than ten cents,
and perhaps more.

"You are buying for the trusts?" he asked.

"No," said the other, half angrily, "we are _not_ buying for the trusts.
I am buying for a private company, and have no connection with this
gentleman, although we are together. If his judgment leads him to
believe that the tobacco is worth more than my judgment leads me to
believe it to be worth, naturally he offers a better price, that's all.
Now, as I said, you have about the highest quality tobacco I have seen
this season, therefore I shall raise this gentleman's offer and make it
four cents and the half. Shall you let it go at that?"

"I shall not."

"Then you may keep it stored until it rots."

"Hold!" said the second man. "My last offer is six cents. Shall you let
it go?"

"I shall _not_!"

"Then keep it in your barns until it rots; you'll not get more than we
have offered you."

"I'll allow it to rot then," said Wade defiantly.

The two men rode off toward Judson's. Wade meant to fulfill his
determination, if it should cost him many thousands of dollars. Hastily
saddling his horse he also rode up to Judson's, where he found the two
tobacco purchasers parleying with old Peter.

"No," Peter was saying, "I hain't got much terbacker this season, but ye
cain't git what little I've got fer no three and a half cents."

Jack touched the old man on the shoulder. "Remember, Judson," he
whispered, "I'll make it one cent heavier than they offer." Then he
rode in search of Tom, whom he instructed to go over the country as fast
as he could and advise the faithful ones to hold their tobacco for
twelve cents. "Tell them," he said, "that they have a standing offer of
eleven and one-half from me, and they should hold out for twelve from
anyone else. Make it plain to them that the offer is made in good faith,
a