Beta Book

Leejune."
The hairy man "tied his mule to the ground" by dropping the end of the
reins, and mounted the two steps to the verandah.
"This is my assistant, Mr. Orde," said Welton. "How are the sheep coming
on? Mr. Leejune," he told Bob, "rents the grazing in our timber."
"Et is not coming," stated Lejeune with a studied calm. "Plant he
riffuse permit to cross."
"Permit to what?" asked Welton.
"To cross hees fores', gov'ment fores'. I can' get in here widout cross
gov'ment land. I got to get permit from Plant. Plant he riffuse."
Welton rose, staring at his visitor.
"Do you mean to tell me," he cried at last, "that a man hasn't got a
right to get into his own land? That they can keep a man out of his own
_land_?"
"Da's right," nodded the Frenchman.
"But you've been in here for ten years or so to my knowledge."
Abruptly the sheepman's calm fell from him. He became wildly excited.
His black eyes snapped, his hair bristled, he arose from his chair and
gesticulated.
"Every year I geev heem three ship! Three ship!" he repeated, thrusting
three stubby fingers at Welton's face.


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