"Well, we was told you was going to ruin our farms, and we won't stand fer that. You talk all right, but the fust thing we know we'll be druv out o' house an' home an' all our crops sp'iled."
"You should have them in by this time. Who told you that your farms would be ruined?"
"Well, we was told, anyhow, an' we warn ye that if any damage is done to our farms or crops ye'll have ter suffer fer it. We ain't goin' to be ground under by no graspin' mono'ly, we ain't, an' yer' goin' to know it fust as last."
"There is no grasping monopoly in it," said Percival impatiently. "We have a right from the railroad to make our surveys and we are going to make 'em. I don't believe there is a farm within ten miles and you don't look like farmers."
"Send some one back for the doctor, Dick," said Jack, who saw that his friend's words had angered the men. "Who told you that we were going to ruin your farms?" he added, turning directly to the big man.
"I don't have to tell ye!" blustered the other. "I know what railroads is an' we ain't goin' to have none on 'em rootin' up our land, an' if ye sot up any o' them machines here we're goin' ter—-Hi! don't shoot!"
Billy Manners had suddenly turned his camera upon the follow, considering him a good subject for a picture, and was just about to squeeze the bulb when the man caught sight of him and sprang back.
"Ah! keep still," cried Billy in disgust. "You've spoiled the picture. It would've been a fine one if you'd kept quiet."
"I don't want my picter took!" growled the big man, falling back among the others. "Ye want ter use it ag'in me, that's what. I know you fellers. An' ye ain't goin' to run no railroad, nuther!"
Jack looked around and quickly discovered that young Smith was missing, and at once came to the conclusion that he had gone off to get the doctor so as to settle the dispute about the surveying.