"We begin our new war by _objecting_ to the survey, I suppose; ain't it?" Miller asked.

"That is what Roper says," Hughes replied.

"And, meantime, harass the enemy like the deuce," Gasbang added.

"Exactly; that is Roper's advice," said Mathews.

With a gesture of disgust, Romeo said: "Of course, no cattle having been shot in this rancho before Roper advised it, let the harassing begin now."

"Look here, young man, you had better get more years over your head before you talk so glibly," Billy Mathews snarled at Romeo.

"He is a settler like yourself, Mr. Mathews, and he has as good a right to express his opinion, though he may not have the happiness of being old," interposed Everett.

"It seems to me that all the young bloods on this rancho are either on the fence or have bolted clean over to the other side, Mr. Darrell,"

said Mathews, addressing his remarks to the elder Darrell, "but they forget that there aren't girls enough to go round. There are only two left, if, as rumor says, Mr. Clarence has taken the blue-eyed one."

"Roper says those girls must have done good service in Washington to get the appeal dismissed so quick." Gasbang said, grinning.

"And Roper is a dirty-minded dog to say that, and I'll make him eat his dirty words, or I'll take his hide off of his filthy carcass," Everett said, jumping up from his seat, livid with anger.

"Sit still, Retty," Mr. Darrell said, "nobody minds what Roper says, except, perhaps, in law matters."

"Some people do mind what the whelp says, as he is quoted here," Everett argued.

"It oughtn't to be so. I don't like women's names mixed up in men's business."

"Roper only said that, because we heard that those girls were in Washington with a gay crowd, who took them from New York," Gasbang explained.

"Yes, a crowd who went as guests of Mr. Lawrence Mechlin," Everett replied; "a New York banker, and brother of this Mr. Mechlin here. Mr.

Mechlin engaged a special car, as George wanted to take his wife and sister-in-law to visit the capital, and then two other families (of the highest and best in New York) were invited, and all made a party to spend three weeks in Washington. Clarence being a friend of George Mechlin's, was invited, also."

"That may all be, but we heard that the crowd was a gay one, running about the corridors and taking lunches at the Capitol with Senators,"

Gasbang explained. "And as that is the way things are managed when there are any axes to grind, Roper guessed that the girls had been pressed into service to help with their smiles to bamboozle Senators."

"The vile little reptile; I'll put my heel on him yet," said Everett, with white lips.

"It isn't likely that Clarence would have stayed by, seeing Mercedes smiling improperly on anybody, if he cares for her. He wouldn't be a son of mine if he did," said Darrell, frowning.

"No; that is all a very mean talk of Roper's. Attorney General Williams had promised George Mechlin's uncle, six months ago, to dismiss the appeal as soon as the Supreme Court should be session, and, though it cuts us all to pieces, I must say he kept his word like a man; that's all."

"Yes, it was that infernal, dandified puppy George Mechlin, who did the mischief. I'll be even with him yet for it," Old Mathews growled.

"Why shouldn't George Mechlin help his father-in-law? Because it upsets the liver of the amiable Mr. Mathews?" asked Romeo, laughing.

"Keep quiet, Romeo," Old Hancock said, smiling.

"If George Mechlin hadn't helped, the thing would have been done in some other way. It had to come," Darrell said.

"I don't know about that; these Californians are too ignorant to know how to defend their rights, and too lazy to try, unless some American prompts them," Mathews replied.

"They know enough to employ a lawyer to defend their rights," Old Miller observed.

"Yes; but, after all, they have to use influence in Washington," Old Mathews insisted. "And what influence have they, unless it is by the aid of some American?"

"And the pretty daughters," added Gasbang.

"Never mind the pretty daughters," said Miller, seeing that Everett clenched his fists as if ready to pounce upon Gasbang at the next provocation. "The question now is, what is to be done? and who is for us, and who against? The time has come when we have to count noses."

"Yes, what are you going to do, Mr. Darrell?" asked velvety Hughes, with his sickly smile.

"Nothing. What is there for me to do? You heard me promise to the Don that I would pay him for the land I was locating, if it was decided that the title was his."

"You said _when the title is settled_," Gasbang said.

"The title is settled as far as the Government is concerned. As you-the settlers-and the Government were on one side, and the Don on the other, I guess he now naturally supposes I must regard the title as _settled_, since the principal opponent (the Government) has thrown up the sponge,"

Darrell answered.

"But we haven't," said Mathews; "and as long as we keep up the fight I don't see how the title can be considered settled."

"It is settled with the Government, which was the question when I made my location," Darrell answered.

"But you ain't going to desert our cause?" Hughes asked. "You'll be our friend to the last, won't you?"

"Such is my intention, but what I might think I ought to do, circumstances will point out to me. Probably we will see our way better after the survey is made. Meantime, as the Don don't trouble any one with orders to vacate, the best thing to do is to keep quiet."

"And spare his cattle," Romeo added, looking at Mathews.

"You seem to want to pick a quarrel with me, youngster," growled Mathews.

"What makes you think so? Did _you_ ever shoot any of the Don's cattle, that you should appropriate my remarks to yourself? If you never did, I can't mean you."

The boys, the young men, all laughed. Mathews arose, too angry to remain quiet.

"Next time I come to talk business-serious business-with men, with men of my age-I don't want to be twitted by any youngster. Children should be seen, and not heard," said he, putting on his hat energetically.

"Why, Mr. Mathews, you shouldn't call me a youngster. You forget I am a married man," Romeo replied, with great amiability. "I am a papa, I am.

Our baby is now six months old; he weighed twelve pounds when he was born. Now, can you show us a baby of _your own_, only as old as that, and weigh half as much?"

The shout of laughter that followed these words was too much for Mathews. The banging of doors as he left was the only answer he deigned to give.

"Mr. Mathews! Five pounds! Two-and-a-half, Mr. Mathews!" shouted Romeo from the window, to the retreating form of Billy, swiftly disappearing in long strides along the garden walk.

"That is the hardest hit Mathews ever got. He is awfully sensitive about having always been jilted and never been married," Miller said.

"He'll never forgive you," added old Hancock.

"He never has forgiven me for locating my claim either, but I manage to survive. One more grievance can't sour him much more," Romeo replied, laughing.

After Mathews had made his exit, the conversation went on more harmoniously. Gasbang was now the only malignant spirit present, but being very cowardly, he felt that as Mathews' support was withdrawn, and the other settlers were inclined to abide by Darrell's advice, he would be politic; he would listen only and report to Peter Roper. Gasbang knew well how unreliable Roper was, but as they were interested in sundry enterprises of a doubtful character, he consulted Peter in all matters when found sober.