gone almost to the point of violence in his insistence, and the
sheriff had shaken him off rudely. Finally, Morris and his six
prisoners had trailed away. The sheriff and North's friend occupied
the seat of the buggy, while the other five trudged peaceably
alongside. Once again Reed clattered away on his bony steed, but
this time ahead of the official party.

With a whoop the river crew, now reduced to a scant dozen, rushed
down to meet the too deliberate Newmark.

"Well?" they demanded, crowding about him.

"Reed wanted the sheriff to stay and protect the dam," reported
Newmark in his brief, dry manner. "Sheriff refused. Said his duty
was simply to arrest on warrant, and as often as Reed got out
warrants, he'd serve them. Reed said, then, he should get a posse
and hunt up Orde and the rest of them. Sheriff replied that as far
as he could see, the terms of his warrant were covered by the men he
found working on the dam, Reed demanded protection, Sheriff said for
him to get an injunction, and it would be enforced."

"Well, that's all right," interjected Orde with satisfaction.
"We'll have her cut through before he gets that injunction, and I
guess I've got men enough here and down river to get through before
we're ALL arrested."

"Yes," said Newmark, "that's all very well. But now he's gone to
telegraph the governor to send the troops."

Orde whistled a jig tune.