He gasped something like an oath. "There goes the slash on our
operation!" he said, aloud.

"Your grandfather must have got you into politics in good shape by this
time," observed Kavanagh, sarcastically. "At any rate, he seems to be
celebrating with a good big bonfire."

At that moment the three of them beheld the farm buildings burst into
flame.

"Offering up sacrifices, too!" commented the satirist. "Seems to me,
Thornton, you ought to be there. They'll be calling for three cheers and
a speech!"

In one heartsick moment Thornton realized that this raging fire had
something to do with the political affairs of that day. He had seen
"Whispering" Urban Cobb at "The Barracks" in the forenoon, and knew that
he had led away a crowd of woodsmen for some purpose of his own. Just
what a dangerous conflagration on the Jo Quacca hills could accomplish
in relation to that caucus, Harlan did not stop to ponder. He could see
that a fire was rioting over his lands, and destroying the property of
others. His horse had already begun to leap for the highway, but the
girl cried after him so beseechingly that he reined the animal back.

"Just one moment, Harlan! A little instant! I haven't unsaddled Zero
yet. Wait!" She whistled, and the horse came cantering. The hounds,
seeing him, leaped and gave tongue understandingly. "I'm going with
you," she declared, swinging to her saddle.

Her father came down off the steps, running at her. "No, you're not, you