“I—spoke to Wint,” Chase said slowly.
Routt asked: “About withdrawing his orders to Radabaugh? He’ll never do it.”
“No,” said Chase. “He’ll never do it.”
Kite cried fiercely: “He’s got to. He doesn’t understand. Didn’t you tell him, Chase? Didn’t you make him see?”
“I couldn’t make him see anything. He would not change.”
“He’ll never change unless he’s forced to,” Routt said; and Chase looked at the young man and asked slowly:
“I thought you and Wint were friends, Routt?”
“We are,” Routt declared. “He’s the best friend I’ve got. That’s why I don’t want to see him made a fool of. That’s why I don’t want to see Amos make a fool of him. You’re his father, but you feel the same as I do, that he’s wrong, that he’s got to be made change his mind.”
“I thought you were with Amos,” Chase insisted mildly.
“Amos and I have broken,” said Routt hotly. “He tried to trick me as he tricks every one, and I wouldn’t stand for it. That’s all. I’m out to even things with him.”