"Look here, Colonel, you'd better fight for us." The young man spoke with a show of feeling. "We'd like to be friendly with you."
Strong went on with his work, but made no answer.
"We're only taking old trees that are dead or dying over there on the State land. Some of 'em are stag-headed—full of 'widow-makers,'" said Thomas Migley.
It should be explained that a big, dead branch was called a "widow-maker" by the woods folk.
"We shall obey the law and pay a fine for every stump," the young man continued. "That's square."
"N-no," said the Emperor, firmly. "That l-law was intended to p-protect the forest."
"You want us to be too ———— honest to live," said young Migley, with an oath.
"N-no. I'll t-tell ye what's the matter with y-you," said Strong. "Y-you 'ain't got no r-res-pec' fer God, country, man, er f-fish."
"You must agree to stand for us against all comers or get out of here to-morrow," the young man added.
"Th-that's quick," said Strong, as he laid down his draw-shave and looked at Thomas Migley.