"Hell!" muttered Big Jack, the wisest and the most outspoken of the three. "This can't go on. Inside a week we'll all be loony or under the ground!"
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" snarled Joe.
"It's no good our fighting over her," said Big Jack. "She'll take the one she wants, anyway. You never can tell about women. Soon as she comes to-day I'll offer myself to her straight out and stand by her answer."
"Do you think you'll be let do all the talking?" asked Joe. "Eh, Shand?"
"Every man is at liberty to speak for himself," replied Jack. "Every man here is welcome to hear what I say to her."
"Jack is right," growled Shand. "I agree."
"Well, how about the order?" demanded Joe. "Who'll speak first?"
"Last word is supposed to be best," said Jack. "We'll give that to you," he added scornfully. "If she's got the sense I credit her with I'm not afraid of you."
"Fat chance you have! Twice her age!" snarled Joe.
"I take my chance," returned Big Jack calmly. "Already I feel better since I thought of putting it up to her. Whichever man she chooses can draw his share out of the concern, and go on with her. Husky speaks first, me second, Shand third, and Joe last—or we can match for chances."