prepared here," suggested President Newnham,
"that the rascals have an idea that the construction camp is also
well guarded. I imagine we've heard the last of the opposition."

"Then you're going to be fooled, sir," Tom answered, very decisively.
"For my part, I believe that the tactics of the gloom department
of the W.C. & A. have just been commenced. Fighting men of a sort
are to be had cheap in these mountains, and the W.C. & A. railroad
is playing a game that it's worth millions to win. They're resolved
that we shan't win. And I, Mr. Newnham, am determined that we shall win!"

CHAPTER XIX

SHERIFF GREASE DROPS DAVE

Tom's prediction came swiftly true in a score of ways.

The gloom department of the W.C. & A. immediately busied itself
with the public.

The "gloom department" is a comparatively new institution in some
kinds of high finance circles. Its mission is to throw gloom
over the undertakings of a rival concern. At the same time, through
such matter as it can manage to have printed in some sorts of
newspapers the gloom department seeks to turn the public against
its business rivals.

That same day news was flashed all over the country that a party
of railway engineers, led by a mad deputy sheriff had wantonly
fired on a party of travelers who had had the misfortune to get upon
the building railway's right of way.

In many parts of Colorado a genuine indignation was aroused against
the S.B. & L. President Newnham sought to correct the wrong impression,
but even his carefully thought out statements were misconstrued.

The W.C. & A., though owned mainly abroad, had some clever American
politicians of the worst sort in its service. Many of these men
were influential to some extent in Colorado.

The sheriff of the county was approached and inflamed by some of
these politicians, with the result that the sheriff hastened to the
field camp, where he publicly dismissed Dave Fulsbee from his force
of deputies. The sheriff solemnly closed his fiery speech by
demanding Dave's official badge.

"That's funny, but don't mind, Dave," laughed Tom, as he witnessed
the handing over of the badge. "You won't be out of work."

"Won't be out of work, eh?" demanded Sheriff Grease hotly. "Just
let him wait and see. There isn't a man in the county who wants
Dave Fulsbee about now."

"Then what a disappointed crowd they're going to be," remarked
Tom pleasantly, "for Mr. Newnham is going to make Dave