re."

"Them--hell!" said California John.

Thorne returned to his hotel very thoughtful. It was falling dark, and
the preliminary bell had rung for supper. Nevertheless he lit his lamp
and clicked off a letter to a personal friend in the Land Office
requesting the latter to forward all Plant's vouchers for the past two
years. Then he hunted up Auntie Belle.

"I thought I should tell you that I won't be leaving my room Wednesday,
as I thought," said he. "My business will detain me longer."

XV

Thorne curtly explained himself to Plant as detained on clerical
business. While awaiting the vouchers from Washington, he busily
gathered the gossip of the place. Naturally the cattle situation was one
of the first phases to come to his attention. After listening to what
was to be said, he despatched a messenger back into the mountains
requesting the cattlemen to send a representative. Ordinarily he would
have gone to the spot himself; but just now he preferred to remain
nearer the centre of Plant's activities.

Jim Pollock appeared in due course. He explained the state of affairs
carefully and dispassionately. Thorne heard him to the end without
comment.

"If the feed is too scarce for the number of cattle, that fact should be
officially ascertained," he said finally.

"Davidson--California John--was sent back last fall to look into it. I
didn't see his report, but John's a good cattleman himself, and there
couldn't be no two opinions on the matter."

Thorne had been shown no copy of such a report during his official
inspection. He made a note of this.

"Well," said he finally, "if on investigation I find the facts to be as
you state them--and that I can determine only on receiving all the
evidence on both sides--I can promise you relief for next season. The
Land Office is just, when it is acquainted with the facts. I will ask
you to make affidavits. I am obliged to you for your trouble in coming."

Jim Pollock made his three-day ride back more cheered by these few and
tentative words than by Superintendent Smith's effusive assurances, or
Plant's promises. He so reported to his neighbours in the back ranges.

Thorne established from California John the truth as to the suppressed
reports.

Some rumour of all this reached Henry Plant. Whatever his faults, the
Supervisor was no coward. He had always bulled things through by sheer
weight and courage. If he could outroar his opponent, he always
considered the