Yet he found, a little to his own amazement, that he could look upon the theft with entire calmness. The fact was that it did not seem to concern him deeply. His emotions were a throb from the memory of Annette in his arms. He recalled little else of the meeting. She had been in his arms. And now his arms ached for her again with a poignance which made all other things insignificant.
"Well?" said Higgins. "Going to let 'em do it?"
"Do what, Hig?"
"Going to let them drag you into court and beat you because they've got possession of your land?"
"It takes thinking over," mused Roger.
"It takes fighting, that's what it takes," retorted Higgins. "We've got to roust those hard guys out of there before they take root and put up buildings. Some one's got to chase out to Citrus Grove and burn the wires up for about twenty tough fighting men to be delivered at Citrus Grove as quick as the trains will bring 'em. Twenty fighting men, and twenty riot pump-guns, and a dark night, and I'll kick that bunch off the place and have the place back in your own hands by daylight."
Roger laughed sharply.
"What's the matter?" demanded Higgins, "got a better idea?"
"Higgins, if you think Garman has left our back door open you don't half appreciate what the man is. When were the ox teams due?"
"Whew!" Higgins whistled. "That's so; this is the day for 'em to show up. They've been due since daylight."