like him all the more. My father wants you to be his friend,
to enter into a new arrangement that will mean plenty of money for you
all, and homes that the law can never take away from you. It means the
highest wages paid in the lumber business to every man willing to work
with him. He wants to develop this country, and knows he can only do
it with your help. McGee, here is my father's letter! Won't you have
it read out loud, so everybody can hear what a fine man Doctor Lancing
really is?"

McGee gingerly accepted the missive Phil took from an inner pocket.
His face was still as black as a thundercloud. He had heard the low
murmurs of approval that sprang from the lips of some of those near by,
possibly the women, who were not quite as much in fear of the lord of
the squatter camp as the men. And it angered McGee to think that his
authority was questioned in the least.

"Yuh knows right well, younker, as how I cain't read!" he declared.

"Then let some one else read it out--perhaps your wife?" suggested
Phil, eagerly.

The giant looked toward his wife, and she even started toward him, only
too anxious to accept the opportunity; but with a sneer on his face he
waved her back.

"Not on yer life, Molly," he snapped. "I knows wot yuh ben talkin'
'bout lately. Yuh wudn't stop at deceivin' yuh husband one minit. Nor
yuh either, Tony. Yuh gotter eatin' the bread uh Doc. Lancing on board
thet gimcrack boat, an' ain't tuh be depended on."

He looked around, and then beckoned to an old, decrepit fellow, whom
Phil realized must be the "medicine man" of the colony, Daddy Mixer.

"Kim hyar, Daddy," said McGee, with a curt nod; and the old fellow
hastened to obey, only too eager to find favor in the sight of the
ruler. "Take this hyar paper, an' look her over. Tell me wot hit sez,
d'ye mind, an' on'y that, if yuh know wots good foh yuh, Daddy."

The wizened-up specimen of an ague-shaken squatter took the letter in a
hand that trembled; and his eyes eagerly passed over the same. It was
fortunately done on a typewriter, so that the sentences were as clear
as print; and at the end was signed the name of Doctor Gideon Lancing.

"Kin yuh read it?" demanded McGee, grimly.

"I a'ready done it," replied the old man; who had possibly long years
ago been given the chance for a schooling.

"An' does hit state jest wot the younker sed?" went on the giant; while
Phil and Larry and all within hearing hung on his words.