The Government
reasoning looks pretty conclusive to a man who doesn't know all the
circumstances."
"Oh, it is, is it!" cried Samuels, stung to anger. "Well, what claim do
you think the Government has?"
But Bob was too wily to be put in the aggressive.
"I'm not thinking; I'm asking," said he. "They say you're holding this
for the timber, and never proved up."
"I took it up bony-fidy," fairly shouted Samuels. "Do you think a man
plants an orchard and such like on a timber claim. The timber is worth
something, of course. Well, don't every man take up timber? What about
that Wolverine Company of yours? What about the Yellow Pine people? What
about everybody, everywhere? Ain't I got a right to it, same as
everybody else?"
He leaned forward, pounding his knee. A querulous and sleepy voice spoke
up from the interior of the cabin:
"Oh, pa, for heaven's sake don't holler so!"
The old man paused in mid-career. Over the treetops the moon was rising
slowly. Its light struck across the lower part of the verandah, showing
clearly the gnarled hand of the mountaineer suspended above his sturdy
knee; casting into dimness the silver of his massive head.
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