X. The Seamy Side
XI. The Call of the Rain
XII. The Asking Price
XIII. The Selling Price
XIV. The Bargain
XV. The Enemy Listens




THE FIGHTING CHANCE


CHAPTER I ACQUAINTANCE

The speed of the train slackened; a broad tidal river flashed into sight
below the trestle, spreading away on either hand through yellowing level
meadows. And now, above the roaring undertone of the cars, from far
ahead floated back the treble bell-notes of the locomotive; there came a
gritting vibration of brakes; slowly, more slowly the cars glided to a
creaking standstill beside a sun-scorched platform gay with the bright
flutter of sunshades and summer gowns.

"Shotover! Shotover!" rang the far cry along the cars; and an absent-
minded young man in the Pullman pocketed the uncut magazine he had been
dreaming over and, picking up gun case and valise, followed a line of
fellow-passengers to the open air, where one by one they were engulfed
and lost to view amid the gay confusion on the platform.

The absent-minded young man, however, did not seem to know exactly where