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The stranger laid down the canteen and scrambled painfully to his feet.

“I am employed by the Company,” he replied, curtly, “but please to understand I don’t permit you to call me names.”

“Permit!” sneered Charley.

“Permit,” repeated Cathcart.

So, not having had enough exercise in the past two days, these young game cocks went at each other. Charley was much the stronger rough-and-tumble fighter; but Cathcart possessed some boxing skill. Result was that, in their weakened condition, they speedily fought themselves to a standstill without serious damage to either side.

“Now perhaps you’ll tell me who the hell you think you are!” panted Cathcart, fiercely.

At just beyond arm’s length they discussed the situation, at first belligerently with much recrimination, then more calmly, at last with a modicum of mutual understanding. Neither seceded from his basic opinion. Charley Gates maintained that the Company had no earthly business ruining his property, but admitted that with all that good gold lying there it was a pity not to get it out. Cathcart stoutly defended a man’s perfect right to do as he pleased with his own belongings, but conceded that something really ought to be done about overflow waters.

“What are you doing down here fighting fire, anyway?” demanded Charley, suddenly. “It couldn’t hurt your property. You could turn the ‘giants’ on it, if it ever came up your way.”

“I don’t know. I just thought I ought to help out a little,” said Cathcart, simply.

For three years more Charley ran his father’s cattle in the hills. Then he announced his intention of going away. John Gates was thunderstruck. By now he was stranded high and dry above the tide, fitting perfectly his surroundings. Vaguely he had felt that his son would stay with him always. But the wave was again surging upward. Charley had talked with Cathcart.

“This is no country to draw a salary in,” the latter had told him, “nor to play with farming or cows. It’s too big, too new, there are too many opportunities. I’ll resign, and you leave; and we’ll make our fortunes.”

“How?” asked Charley.

“Timber,” said Cathcart.

They conferred on this point. Cathcart had the experience of business ways; Charley Gates the intimate knowledge of the country; there only needed a third member to furnish some money. Charley broke the news to his family, packed his few belongings, and the two of them went to San Francisco.

Charley had never seen a big city. He was very funny about it, but not overwhelmed. While willing, even avid, to go the rounds and meet the sporting element, he declined to drink. When pressed and badgered by his new acquaintances, he grinned amiably.

“I never play the other fellows’ game,” he said. “When it gets to be my game, I’ll join you.”

The new partners had difficulty in getting even a hearing.

“It’s a small business,” said capitalists, “and will be. The demand for lumber here is limited, and it is well taken care of by small concerns near at hand.”

“The state will grow and I am counting on the outside market,” argued Cathcart.

But this was too absurd! The forests of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were inexhaustible! As for the state growing to that extent; of course we all believe it, but when it comes to investing good money in the belief—-

At length they came upon one of the new millionaires created by the bonanzas of Virginia City.

“I don’t know a damn thing about your timber, byes,” said he, “but I like your looks. I’ll go in wid ye. Have a seegar; they cost me a dollar apiece.”

The sum invested was absurdly, inadequately small.

“It’ll have to spread as thin as it can,” said Cathcart.

They spent the entire season camping in the mountains. By the end of the summer they knew what they wanted; and immediately took steps to acquire it. Under the homestead laws each was entitled to but a small tract of Government land. However, they hired men to exercise their privileges in this respect, to take up each his allotted portion, and then to convey his rights to Cathcart and Gates. It was slow business, for the show of compliance with Government regulations had to be made. But in this manner the sum of money at their disposal was indeed spread out very thin.