The Southerner shook his head.
"Oh, that's all? Well, if natural advantages are going to settle it, and not influence, go ahead and vote, and I'll just bring in a minority report for Gulf City."
"The boss of the Senate" was in a corner now.
"Confound it, Langdon, if you will have it, I am interested in
Altacoola."
Langdon nodded.
"That's all I wanted to know," he said.
"Now you see why it's got to be Altacoola," persisted the boss.
"I don't mind telling you, then, Senator Peabody," answered Langdon calmly, "that my being for Gulf City was a bluff. I've been trying to draw you out. Gulf City is a mud bank and no more fitted to be a naval base than Keokuk, Ia. Altacoola it's got to be, for the good of the country and the honor of Mississippi.
"And one thing more, Senator. I'd just like to add that not a single man connected with that committee is going to make a cent out of the deal. You get that straight?"