"Well, we expect to begin operations in a year or so. We'll build a mill on the railroad, and drive our logs down the river."
"Givin' my company the drivin' contracts?"
"Looks like we'd have to—if you get in your dam and improvements. But that'll take money. We've looked you up, of course, and we know you haven't it—nor any backing.... That's why we've come to see you."
"To be sure," said Scattergood. "Goin' to drive 'way to the railroad, eh? How if there was a mill right at my dam? Shorten your drive twenty mile, wouldn't it, eh?"
"Yes," said Keith, laughing at Scattergood's ignorance; "but how about transportation from your mill to the railroad? We can't drive cut lumber."
"Course not," said Scattergood, "but this valley's goin' to open up. It's startin'. There's only one way to open a valley, and that's to run a railroad up it.... Narrow-gauge 'u'd do here. Carry mostly lumber, but passengers, too."
"Thinking of building one?" asked Crane, almost laughing in Scattergood's face.
"Thinkin' don't cost nobody anythin'," said Scattergood. "Ever take a look at that charter of mine?"
"No."
"I'll let you read it over a bit. Maybe you'll git a idea from it."