“We are after a man named Thomas Eye, of your crew,” said one of the men, catching Wade’s inquiring gaze. “We’ve traced that cow-moose killing to him—the Cameron case.”
For an instant Wade’s heart went sick, and then it went wild. Such an impudent, barefaced plot to rob him of an invaluable man at this crisis in his affairs seemed impossible to credit. It was vengefulness run mad, gone puerile.
“Mr. Britt has signed the complaint and has the witnesses,” said the warden. “We’ve got a warrant and we’ll have to take the man.”
“And there he is on that load,” said the Honorable Pulaski, pointing his whip-butt.
“Hold that line, men,” commanded Wade, coming away from the post. “Tommy Eye has not been out of my camp, wardens. He is absolutely indispensable to me. He has killed no moose. But if it can be proven I’ll pay his fine.”
“It takes a trial to prove it,” said the warden, dryly. “That’s why we’re after him.”
“Britt, I didn’t think you’d get down to this,” stormed the young man.
“I’m not a game warden,” retorted the baron of the Umcolcus. “You’re dealin’ with them, not me.”
He sat, slicing his whip-lash into the snow, and watched the young man’s bitter anger with huge enjoyment. And when Wade seemed unable to frame a suitable retort he went on: “If you think I’ve got anything to do with taking that crack teamster out of your crew, you’d better thank me. Anything that interferes with your landing your logs in a blind pocket like Blunder Stream is a godsend to you and Rod Ide.” His temper began to flame. “What do you think you’re going to do there? Do you calculate to steal any of my water? Do you think that whipper-snapper whelp of a lawyer that you’ve set yappin’ at our heels is goin’ to spin a thread for you against the men that have run this section for thirty years? If you’ve only got the law bug in your head, give it up. But if you have the least sneakin’ idea of troublin’ that dam up there”—he shook his fist into the north—“coil your snub-line and save time and money; for, by the eternal Jehovah, blood will run in that valley before water does!”