"I'm right sorry you was called on to journey all the way here from Frankfort," began Saul apologetically, but the other cut him short with a crisp response.
"Don't let that worry you. There are too many eyes and ears in Frankfort. You know what the situation is now, don't you?"
"I knows right well thet ther Democrat aims ter hev ther legislater seat him. He's been balked by ther people an' his own commission—an' now thet's his only chanst."
"The Governor says that if he leaves the state house it will be on a stretcher," announced the visitor defiantly. "But there are more conspiracies against us on foot than I have leisure to explain. The time has come for you mountain men to make good."
Saul rose and paced the floor for a minute, then halted and jerked his head toward the companion whom he had brought home with him that evening.
"Shake hands with Jim Hollins of Clay County," he said briefly. "We've done talked it all over and he understands."
"All right. It's agreed then that you take Marlin and Mr. Hollins takes Clay. I have representatives in the other counties arranged for. These men who come will be fed and housed all right. There'll be special trains to bring them, and ahead of each section will be a pilot engine, in case the news leaks out and anybody tries to use dynamite."
"All right, then. We'll round ye up ther proper kind of men—upstandin' boys thet ain't none timorous."
The man in good clothes dropped his voice to an impressive undernote.
"Have them understand clearly that if they are asked why they come, they shall all make the same response: that in accordance with their constitutional rights, they are in Frankfort to petition the legislature—but above all have them well armed."