ling water shielded
his voice from eavesdroppers on the dam. "I stood back there in the fog
and I heard what was said about an injunction. It's bad business,
running against the courts, men. That injunction hangs over the crew of
Echford Flagg. I am not one of that crew. What I may do is on my own
account, and I'll stand the blame of it. All I ask is that you step
aside and let me alone."

"That ain't the way we want to play this game," declared Vittum.

"It isn't a square game, men, and that's why you mustn't play it. It
isn't a riverman fight to-day. I came north from New York on the train
with Craig. He brought a gang of gunmen with him. They're hidden there
in the fog. He means to go the limit, hoping to get by with it because
you made the first attack. It's up to me from now on."

"What in the name of the horn-headed Sancho do you think you can do all
alone against guns?" demanded Vittum, scornfully.

"Think?" repeated Latisan. "I've had plenty of time for thinking on my
way up here. Let me alone, I say!"

Lida went to him and put her hand on his arm, and he trembled; it seemed
almost like a caress. But by no tenderness in his eyes or his expression
was he indicating that he considered himself back on his former footing
with her.

"Miss Kennard, don't keep me from trying to square myself with the Flagg
crew, if I can. I'm not hoping that anything can square me with you;
it's past hope."

He moved away, but she clung to him. "I must know what you intend to
do. I'll not accept a reckless sacrifice--no, I'll not."

"One evening in Adonia you gave me a lecture on duty and self-respect,
Miss Kennard. I wish I'd taken your advice then. But that advice has
never left my thoughts. I'm taking it now. I entreat you, don't let me
shame myself again. This is before men," he warned her, in low tones.
"Give me my fighting chance to make good with them--I beg you!"

He set back his shoulders, turned from her, and shouted Craig's name
till the Comas director replied.

"Craig, yon in the fog! Do you hear?"

"I hear you, Latisan!"

"Do our logs go through Skulltree by your decent word to us?"

"I'll never give that word, my man!"

"Then take your warning! The fight is on--and this time I'm in it."

"I'm glad to be informed. I have an announcement of my own to make.
Listen!" He gave a command. Instantly, startlingly, in the fog-shrouded
spaces of the valley rang out a salvo of gun fire. Many rifles spat. The
sound