"You're making a great mistake. The future of this
country is with water, and don't you forget it. Fuel is scarce; water
power is the coming force. The country can produce like a garden under
irrigation; and it's only been scratched yet, and that just about the
big cities. We are getting control; and the future of the state is with
us. You're wasting yourself in all this toy work. You've got too much
ability to squander it in that sort of thing. Oldham made you an offer
from us, didn't he?"
"He tried to bribe me, if that's what you mean," said Bob.
"Well, have it your way; but you'll admit there's hardly much use of
bribing you now. I repeat the offer. Come in with us on those terms."
"Why?" demanded Bob.
"Well," said Baker quaintly, "because you seem to have licked me fair
and square; and I never want a man who can lick me to remain where he is
likely to do so."
At this point Orde, who had up to now remained quietly a spectator,
spoke up.
"Bob," said he, "is already fairly intimately connected with certain
interests, which, while not so large as water power, are enough to keep
him busy.
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