refreshment"parlours，"wheredrinkswereservedbydozensof"prettywaiter—girls，"andhugedance—halls。
　　Theproprietorsoftheseplaceswereaboldandunscrupulouslot。
　　Intheireverydaybusinesstheyhadtodealwiththemostdangerousrough—and—tumblefightersthiscountryhaseverknown；withmenbubblingoverwiththejoyoflife，readyforquarrelifquarrelalsospelledfun，drinkingdeep，andheavy—handedandfearlessintheircups。Buteachoftheserivermenhadtwoorthreehundreddollarsto"blow"assoonaspossible。Thepickingsweregood。Mengotrichveryquicklyatthisbusiness。Andthereexistedthisgreatadvantageinfavourofthedive—keeper：nobodycaredwhathappenedtoariverman。Youcouldpoundhimovertheheadwithaleadpipe，ordrughisdrink，orchokehimtoinsensibility，orrobhimandthrowhimoutintothestreet，orevendrophimtidilythroughatrap—doorintotheriverflowingconvenientlybeneath。
　　Nobodybothered——unless，ofcourse，theaffairwassobungledastobecomepublic。Thepoliceknewenoughtostayawaywhenthedrivehittown。Theywouldhavebeenannihilatediftheyhadnot。Theonlyflyinthedivekeeper’sointmentwasthattherivermanwouldfightback。
　　Andfightbackhedid，untilfromoneendofhisstreettotheotherhehadleftthebatteredevidencesofhisskillasawarrior。Hisconstantheavyliftingmadehimashardasnailsandasstrongasahorse；thecontinualdemandonhisagilityinridingthelogskepthimactiveandpreventedhimfrombecomingmuscle—bound；inhiswildheartwasnottheleasttraceoffearofanythingthatwalked，crawled，orflew。Andhewasastirelessasmachinery，andapparentlyasindifferenttopunishmentasamancastiniron。
　　Addtothisahappyandcompletedisregardofconsequences——tohimselforothers——ofanythinghedid，and，inhisownwords，hewasa"hardmantonick。"
　　AsyettheseasonwastooearlyformuchjoyalongHell’sHalf—Mile。
　　Orde’slittlecrew，andthefortyorfiftymenofthedrivethathadprecededhim，constitutedtherankandfileatthatmomentintown。
　　Alittlelater，whenallthedrivesontherivershouldbein，andthoseofitstributaries，andthemenstilllingeringatthewoodscamps，atleastfivehundredwoods—wearymenwouldbeturnedloose。
　　ThenHell’sHalf—Milewouldawakeninearnestfromitshibernation。
　　Thelightswouldblazefromdaytoday。Fromitsopenedwindowswouldblarethemusic，thecriesofmenandwomen，theshuffleoffeet，thenoiseoffighting，theshrieksofwildlaughter，cursesdeepandfrankandunashamed，songsbrokenandinterrupted。Crewsofmen，armslocked，wouldsurgeupanddownthenarrowsidewalks，theirlittlefelthatscockedoneside，theirheadsback，theirfearlesseyeschallengingthedevilandallhisworks——andgettingthechallengeaccepted。Girlswouldflitacrossthelitwindowslikeshadowsbeforeflames，orstandinthedoorwayshailingthemenjoviallybyname。Andeveryfewmoments，abovetheroarofthiswildinferno，wouldsoundthesuddencrashandthedullblowsofcombat。Only，neverwasheardthebarkofthepistol。Thefightingwasfierce，anditincludedkickingwiththesharpsteelboot—
　　caulks，bitingandgouging；butitbarredknivesandfirearms。AndwhenHell’sHalf—Milewasthusinfulleruption，thecitizensofReddingstayedawayfromWaterStreetafterdark。"Drive’sin，"
　　saidthey，andhadbusinesselsewhere。Andthenextgroupofrivermen，hurryingtowardthefun，brokeintoaneagerdog—trot。
　　"Takingtheoldtownapartto—night，"theytoldeachother。"Let’sgetinthegame。"
　　To—night，however，thestreetwascomparativelyquiet。Thesaloonswereofmodifiedillumination。Inmanyofthemmenstooddrinking，butinasociableratherthanahilariousmood。Oldfriendsofthetwodrivesweregettingtogetherforafriendlyglass。Thebarkeeperswerelistlesslywipingthebars。The"prettywaiter—
　　girls"gossipedwitheachotherandyawnedbehindtheirhands。FromseveraldoorwaysOrde’slittlecompactgroupwasaccostedbytheburlysaloonkeepers。
　　"Hullo，boys！"saidtheyinvariably，"gladtoseeyouback。Comeinandhaveadrinkonme。"
　　Wellthesemenknewthatonefreedrinkwouldmeanadozenpaidfor。
　　Buttherivermenmerelyshooktheirheads。
　　"Huh！"sneeredoneofthegirls。"Them’snoriver—jacks！Them’sjustoffthehaytrail，Ibet！"
　　Buteventhistime—honouredandgenerallyeffectivetauntwasignored。
　　InthemiddleofthethirdblockOrdewheeledsharptotheleftdownadarkanddangerous—lookingalley。Anotherturntotherightbroughthimintoaverynarrowstreet。Facingthisstreetstoodathree—storywoodenstructure，intowhichledahigh—archedentranceupabroadhalf—flightofwoodensteps。ThiswasMcNeill’s。
　　AsOrdeandhismenturnedintothenarrowstreet，afiguredetacheditselffromtheshadowandapproached。Ordeutteredanexclamation。
　　"Youhere，Newmark？"hecried。
　　"Yes，"repliedthatyoungman。"Iwanttoseethisthrough。"
　　"Withthoseclothes？"marvelledOrde。"It’sawondersomeofthesethugshaven’theldyouuplongago！I’llgetJohnnyheretogobackwithyoutothemainstreet。"
　　"No，"arguedNewmark，"Iwanttogoinwithyou。"
　　"It’sdangerous，"explainedOrde。"You’relikelytogetslugged。"
　　"Icanstanditifyoucan，"returnedNewmark。
　　"Idoubtit，"saidOrdegrimly。"However，it’syourfuneral。Comeon，ifyouwantto。"
　　McNeill’slowerstorywasgivenoverentirelytodrinking。Abarrandownallonesideoftheroom。Dozensoflittletablesoccupiedthefloor。"Prettywaiter—girls"werepreparedtoservedrinksattheselatter——andtoshareinthem，atacommission。Thesecondfloorwasatheatre，andthethirdadance—hall。Beneaththebuildingwerestillvilerdepths。Fromthisbasementtherivermanandtheshantyboygenerallygraduatedpenniless，andperhapsunconscious，tothestreet。Now，yourlumber—jackdidnotcustomarilyarriveatthisstagewithoutmoreorlesslivelydoingsenroute；thereforeMcNeill’smaintainedaforceoffighters。Theywereburly，soddenmen，instrikingcontrasttotheclean—cut，clear—eyedrivermen，butstrongintheirexperienceandtheirdiscipline。Tobesure，theymightnotlastquiteaslongastheirantagonistscould——awhiskytrainingisnotconducivetolongwind——
　　buttheyalwayslastedplentylongenough。Sand—bagsandbrassknuckleshelpedsome，ruthlesssinglenessofpurposecounted，andteamworkfinishedthejob。Attimesthestormrosehigh，butuptonowMcNeillhadalwaysriddenit。
　　Ordeandhismenenteredthelowerhall，asthoughsaunteringinwithoutdefiniteaim。Perhapsascoreofmenwereintheroom。Twotablesofcardswereunderway——withagreatdealofnoisycard—
　　slappingthatproclaimedthegamemerelyfriendly。Eightortenothermenwanderedaboutidly，chaffingloudlywiththegirls，pausingtooverlookthecardgames，glancingwithpurposelesscuriosityattheprofessionalgamblerssittingquietlybehindtheirvariouslay—outs。Itwasadullevening。
　　Ordewanderedaboutwiththerest，awide，good—naturedsmileonhisface。
　　"Startyourlittleballtorollingforthat，"heinstructedtherouletteman，tossingdownabill。"Droppedagain！"helamentedhumorously。"Can’tseemtohaveanyluck。"
　　Hedriftedontothecrapgame。
　　"Throwusthelittlebones，pardner，"hesaid。"I’llgoyouafiveonit。"
　　Helosthere，andsofoundhimselfatthetablepresidedoverbythethree—cardmontemen。Therestofhisparty，whohadaccordingtoinstructionsscatteredabouttheplace，nowbeganquietlytogravitateinhisdirection。
　　"Whatkindofalay—outisthis？"inquiredOrde。
　　Thedealerheldupthethreecardsfaceout。
　　"Whatkindofaneyehaveyougot，bub？"heasked。
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。Aprettyfaireye。Why？"
　　"DoyouthinkyoucouldpickoutthejackwhenIthrowthemoutlikethis？"askedthedealer。
　　"Sure！She’sthatone。"
　　"Well，"exclaimedthegamblerwithapretenceofdisgust，"damnifyoudidn’t！Ibetyoufivedollarsyoucan’tdoitagain。"
　　"Takeyou！"repliedOrde。"Putupyourfive。"
　　AgainOrdewaspermittedtopickthejack。
　　"You’vegotthebesteyethat’sbeeninthisplacesinceIgothere，"claimedthedealeradmiringly。"Here，Dennis，"saidhetohispartner，"tryifyoucanfoolthisfellow。"
　　Dennisobliginglytookthecards，threwthem，andlost。Bythistimethemen，augmentedbytheidlersnotbusywiththecardgames，haddrawnclose。
　　"Sailinto’em，bub，"encouragedone。
　　Whetheritwasthatthegamblers，expertinthereadingofaman’smoodandintentions，sensedthefactthatOrdemightbeledtoplunge，orwhether，moresimply，theywereusinghimasacappertodrawthecrowdintotheirgame，itwouldbedifficulttosay，buttwicemoretheybungledthethrowandpermittedhimtowin。
　　Newmarkpluckedhimatthesleeve。
　　"You’retwentydollarsahead，"hemuttered。"Quitit！Ineversawanybodybeatthisgamethatmuchbefore。"
　　Ordemerelyshruggedhimoffwithanappearanceofgrowingexcitement，whileanHABITUEoftheplace，probablyoneofthehiredfighters，growledintoNewmark’sear。
　　"Shutup，youdamndude！"warnedthisman。"Keepoutofwhatain’tnoneofyourbusiness。"
　　"Whatlimitdoyouputonthisgame，anyway？"Ordeleanedforward，hiseyesalight。
　　Thetwogamblersspokeswiftlyapart。
　　"Howmuchdoyouwanttobet？"askedone。
　　"Wouldyoustandforfivehundreddollars？"askedOrde。
　　Adeadsilencefellonthegroup。Plainlycouldbeheardthemen’squickenedbreathing。Theshoutsandnoisefromthecardpartiesblunderedthroughthestillness。Someonetiptoedacrossandwhisperedintheearofthenearestplayer。Amomentlaterthechairsatthetwotablesscrapedback。Oneofthemfellviolentlytothefloor。Theiroccupantsjoinedthetensegroupaboutthemontegame。Allthegirlsdrewnear。Onlybehindthebarthewhite—apronedbartenderswipedtheirglasseswithapparentimperturbability，theireyes，however，ontheirbrassknuckleshangingjustbeneaththecounter，theirearsprickedupfortheriotcall。
　　Thegamblerpretendedtodeliberate，hiscool，shiftyeyesrunningoverthegroupbeforehim。Asmalldoorimmediatelybehindhimswungslowlyajaraninchorso。
　　"Gotthemoney？"heasked。
　　"Haveyou？"counteredOrde。
　　Apparentlysatisfied，themannodded。
　　"I’llgoyou，bub，ifIlose，"saidhe。"Layoutyourmoney。"
　　Ordecountedoutninefifty—dollarbillsandfivetens。Probablynooneinthegroupofmenstandingabouthadrealisedquitehowmuchmoneyfivehundreddollarsmeantuntiltheysawitthustalliedoutbeforethem。
　　"Allright，"saidthegambler，takingupthecards。
　　"Holdon！"criedOrde。"Where’syours？"
　　"Oh，that’sallright，"thegamblerreassuredhim。"I’mwiththehouse。IguessMcNeill’screditisgood，"helaughed。
　　"Thatmayallbe，"insistedOrde，"butI’mputtingupmygoodmoney，andIexpecttoseegoodmoneyputupinreturn。"
　　Theywrangledoverthispointforsometime，butOrdewasobstinate。
　　Finallythegamblersyielded。Acanvassofthedrawer，helpedoutbythebarandtheothergames，madeupthesum。ItbulkedlargeonthetablebesideOrde’shigherdenominations。
　　TheinterestedaudiencenowconsistedofthedozenmencomprisedbyOrde’sfriends；nearlytwiceasmanystrangers，evidentlyrivermen；
　　eighthangers—onofthejoint，probablyfightersand"bouncers"；
　　halfadozenprofessionalgamblers，andseveralwaitresses。Thefourbarkeepersstillheldtheirpositions。Ofthese，therivermenwerescatteredlooselybackofOrde，althoughOrde’sownfriendshadbynowgatheredcompactlyenoughathisshoulder。Themercenariesandgamblershaddivided，andflankedthetableateitherside。
　　Newmark，agrowingwonderanddisgustcreepingintohisusuallyunexpressiveface，recognisedthestrategicadvantageofthisarrangement。Incaseofdifficulty，adeterminedpushwouldseparatetherivermenfromthegamblerslongenoughforthelattertodisappearquietlythroughthesmalldoorattheback。
　　"Satisfied？"inquiredthegamblerbriefly。
　　"Letherflicker，"repliedOrdewithequalbrevity。
　　Agaspofanticipationwentup。Quitecoollythegamblermadehispasses。Withequalcoolnessandnottheslightesthesitation，Ordeplantedhisgreatredfistononeofthecards。
　　"Thatisthejack，"heannounced，lookingthegamblerintheeye。
　　"Oh，isit？"sneeredthedealer。"Well，turnitoverandlet’ssee。"
　　"No！"roaredOrde。"YOUTURNOVERTHEOTHERTWO！"
　　Alowoathbrokefromthegambler，andhisfacecontortedinaspasm。Thebarkeepersslidoutfrombehindthebar。Foramomentthesituationwastenseandthreatening。Thedealerwithasweepingglanceagainsearchedthefacesofthosebeforehim。Inthatmoment，probably，hemadeuphismindthatanopenscandalmustbeavoided。Forceandbrokenbones，evenmurder，mightbeallrightenoughundercolourofright。IfOrdehadturnedupforajackthecardonwhichhenowheldhisfist，andthenhadattemptedtoprovecheating，acryofrobberyandalivelyfightwouldhavegivenopportunityformakingwaywiththestakes。ButMcNeill’scouldnotaffordtobeshownupbeforethirtyinterestedrivermenasrunninganopen—and—shutbrace—game。However，thegamblermadeadesperatetryatwhathemusthaveknownwasaveryforlornhope。
　　"Thatisn’tthewaythisgameisplayed，"saidhe。"Showupyourjack。"
　　"It’sthewayIplayit，"repliedOrdesternly。"Thesegentlemenheardthebet。"Hereachedoveranddexterouslyflippedovertheothertwocards。"Yousee，neitheroftheseisthejack；thismustbe。"
　　"Youwin，"assentedthegambler，afterapause。
　　Orde，hisfiststillonthethirdcard，beganpocketingthestakeswiththeotherhand。Thegamblerreached，palmup，acrossthetable。
　　"Givemetheothercard，"saidhe。
　　Ordepickeditup，laughing。Foramomentheseemedtohesitate，holdingthebitofpasteboardtantalisinglyoutstretched，asthoughheweregoingtoturnalsothisonefaceup。Then，quitedeliberatelyhelookedtorightandtoleftwherethefightersawaitedtheirsignal，laughedagain，andhandedthecardtothegambler。
　　Atoncepandemoniumbrokeloose。TherivermenofOrde’spartyfairlyshoutedwithjoyovertheunexpectedtrick；theemployeesoftheresortwhisperedapart；thegamblerexplained，low—voicedandangry，hisreasonsfornotputtingupafightforsorichastake。
　　"Alltothebar！"yelledOrde。
　　Theymadearush，andlinedupandorderedtheirdrinks。Ordepouredhisonthefloorandtooktheglassbelongingtothemannexthim。
　　"Getthemtogiveyouanother，Tim，"saidhe。"Noknock—outdrops，ifIcanhelpit。"
　　Themendrank，andsomeoneorderedanotherround。
　　"Tim，"saidOrde，low—voiced，"getthecrowdtogetherandwe’llpullout。I’veathousanddollarsonme，andthey’llsand—bagmesureifIgoalone。Andlet’sgetoutrightoff。"
　　TenminuteslatertheyallstoodsafelyonthelightedthoroughfareofWaterStreet。
　　"Good—night，boys，"saidOrde。"Goeasy，andshowupattheboomsMonday。"
　　Heturnedupthestreettowardthemainpartofthetown。Newmarkjoinedhim。
　　"I’llwalkalittlewayswithyou，"heexplained。"AndIsay，Orde，Iwanttoapologisetoyou。’MostoftheeveningI’vebeenthinkingyoutheworstfoolIeversaw，butyoucantakecareofyourselfateverystageofthegame。Thetrickwasgood，butyourtakingtheotherfellow’sdrinkbeatit。"
　　VIII
　　OrdeheardnomoreofNewmark——andhardlythoughtofhim——untilovertwoweekslater。
　　Inthemeantimetheriverman，assumingthemoreconventionalgarmentsofcivilisation，livedwithhisparentsintheoldOrdehomesteadattheedgeoftown。Thiswasaratherpretentioustwo—
　　storybrickstructure，intheoldsolid，squarearchitecture，surroundedbyasmallorchard，somehickories，andagarden。Orde’sfatherhadbuiltitwhenhearrivedinthepioneercountryfromNewEnglandfortyyearsbefore。Atthattimeitwasconsideredwelloutinthecountry。Sincethenthetownhadcrepttoit，sothattherowofgrandoldmaplesinfrontshadedastone—gutteredstreet。A
　　littlepatchofcornopposite，andmanystillvacantlotsabove，placedit，however，asaboutthepresentlimitofgrowth。
　　JackOrdewastheyoungestandmostenergeticofalargefamilythathadlongsincescatteredtodiversecitiesandindustries。HeandGrandpaandGrandmaOrdedweltnowinthebig，echoing，old—
　　fashionedhousealone，savefortheonegirlwhocalledherselfthe"help"ratherthantheservant。GrandpaOrde，nowabovesixty，wastall，straight，slender。Hishairwasquitewhite，andwornalittlelong。Hisfeatureswerefinelychiselledandaquiline。Fromthemlookedapairofpiercing，young，or，standingasidefromthedoorway。
　　Newmarkenteredthecool，duskyinterior，andwasshowntotheleftintoadim，longroom。Heperchedonamahoganychair，andhadtimetonoticethebookcaseswiththewhiteowlatop，theoldpianowiththeyellowingkeys，thehairclothsofaandchairs，thesteelengravings，andthetwooilportraits，whenOrde’slargefiguredarkenedthedoor。
　　Foraninstanttheyoungman，whomustjusthavecomeinfromtheoutsidesunshine，blinkedintothedimness。Newmark，too，blinkedback，althoughhecouldbythistimeseeperfectlywell。
　　NewmarkhadknownOrdeonlyasariverman。LikemostEasterners，thenandnow，hewasunabletoimagineamaninroughclothesasbeinganythingbutessentiallyaroughman。ThefigurehesawbeforehimwasdecentlyandcorrectlydressedinwhatwasthentheproperSundaycostume。Hisbigfiguresetofftheclothtoadvantage，andevenhiswind—reddenedfaceseemedtoneddownandrefinedbythechangeincostumeandsurroundings。
　　"Oh，it’syou，Mr。Newmark！"criedOrdeinhisheartyway，andholdingouthishand。"I’mgladtoseeyou。Whereyoubeen？Comeonoutofthere。Thisisthe’companyplace。’"Withoutawaitingareply，heledthewayintothenarrowhall，whencethetwoenteredanother，brighterroom，inwhichGrandmaOrdesat，thecanarysingingaboveherhead。
　　"Mother，"saidOrde，"thisisMr。Newmark，wdrivethelogsforthesetenfirmsatsomuchathousand，doyousupposeitwouldgetthebusiness？"
　　"Itwoulddependonthedrivingfirm，"saidOrde。"Yousee，millmenhavegottohavetheirlogs。Theycan’taffordtotakechances。
　　Itwouldn’tpay。"
　　"Thenthat’sallright，"agreedNewmark，withagleamofsatisfactionacrosshisthinface。"Wouldyouformapartnershipwithmehavingsuchanobjectinview？"
　　Ordethrewbackhisheadandlaughedwithgenuineamusement。
　　"Iguessyoudon’trealisethesituation，"saidhe。"We’dhavetohaveafewlittlethingslikedistributingbooms，andtugs，andalotoftoolsandsuppliesandworksofvariouskinds。"
　　"Well，we’dgetthem。"
　　ItwasnowOrde’sturntoaskquestions。
　　"Howmuchareyouworth？"heinquiredbluntly。
　　"Abouttwentythousanddollars，"repliedNewmark。
　　"Well，ifIraiseverymuchblackeyes。Inhistime，GrandpaOrdehadbeenamightybreakerofthewilderness；buthistimehadpassed，andwiththeadventofamoreintensivecivilisationhehadfallenuponsomewhatstraitenedways。GrandmaOrde，ontheotherhand，wasaverysmall，spryoldlady，withasmallface，asmallfigure，smallhandsandfeet。Shedressedinthethenusualcapandblacksilkofoldladies。Halfhertimeshespentatherhousekeeping，whichsheloved，jinglingaboutfromcellartoatticstore—room，seeingthatAmanda，the"help，"hadeverythinginorder。Theotherhalfshesatinawooden"Dutch"
　　rocking—chairbyawindowoverlookingthegarden。Hersilk—shodfeetrestedneatlysidebysideonacarpet—coveredhassock，herbackagainstagaytapestriedcushion。NearherpurredbigJim，amalteserumouredtoweighfifteenpounds。Abovehertwitteredacanary。
　　Andtheinteriorofthehouseitselfwasinkeeping。Thelowceilings，theslightirregularitiesofstructurepeculiartotheratherrule—of—thumbmethodsoftheearlierbuilders，thedeepwindowembrasuresduetothethicknessofthewalls，theunexpectedpassagesleadingtounsuspectedrooms，andthefactthatmanyoftheseapartmentswereapproachedbyasteporsouporasteporsodown——theselenttoitaquaint，old—fashionedatmosphereenhancedfurtherbythesteelengravings，theantiquefurnishings，themany—
　　panedwindows，andallthebelongingsofoldpeoplewhohavepassedfromapreviousgenerationuntouchedbymodernideas。
　　TothishouseandthesepeopleOrdecamedirectfromthegreatnessofthewildernessandtheferocityofHell’sHalf—Mile。Suchcontrastswerepossibleeventenorfifteenyearsago。Theuntamedcountrylayatthedoorsofthemostmoderncivilisation。
　　Newmark，reappearingoneSundayafternoonattheendofthetwoweeks，wasapparentlybothered。HeexaminedtheOrdeplaceforsomemoments；walkedonbeyondit；findingnothingthere，hereturned，andaftersomehesitationturnedinupthetarsidewalkandpulledattheold—fashionedwirebell—pull。GrandmaOrdeherselfansweredthedoor。
　　Atsightofherfinefeatures，herdaintylacecapandmitts，andthestiffnessofherrustlingblacksilks，Newmarktookoffhisgrayfelthat。
　　"Good—afternoon，"saidhe。"WillyoukindlytellmewhereMr。Ordelives？"
　　"ThisisMr。Orde’s，"repliedthelittleoldlady。
　　"Pardonme，"persistedNewmark，"IamlookingforMr。JackOrde，andIwasdirectedhere。Iamsorrytohavetroubledyou。"
　　"Mr。JackOrdeliveshere，"returnedGrandmaOrde。"Heismyson。
　　Wouldyouliketoseehim？"
　　"Ifyouplease，"assentedNewmarkgravely，histhin，shrewdfacemaskingitselfwithitsusualexpressionofquizzicalcynicism。
　　"Stepthisway，please，andI’llcallhim，"requestedhisinterlocuthowaswithusonthedrivethisspring。"
　　GrandmaOrdelaidhergold—bowedglassesandherblackleatherBibleonthestandbesideher。
　　"Mr。NewmarkandIspokeatthedoor，"saidshe，extendingherfrailhandwithdignity。"Ifyouwereonthedrive，Mr。Newmark，youmusthavebeenoneoftheHighPrivatesinthisdreadfulwarweallreadabout。"
　　Newmarklaughedandmadesomeappropriatereply。Afewmomentslater，atOrde’ssuggestion，thetwopassedoutasidedoorandbackintotheremainsoftheoldorchard。
　　"It’sprettynicehereunderthetrees，"saidOrde。"Sitdownandlightup。Whereyoubeenforthelastcoupleofweeks？"
　　"IcaughtJohnson’sdriveandwentondownriverwithhimtothelake，"repliedNewmark，thrustingtheofferedcigarinonecornerofhismouthandshakinghisheadatOrde’sprofferofalight。
　　"Youmustlikecamplife。"
　　"Idonotlikeitatall，"negativedNewmarkemphatically，"butthedriveinterestedme。ItinterestedmesomuchthatI’vecomebacktotalktoyouaboutit。"
　　"Fireahead，"acquiescedOrde。
　　"I’mgoingtoaskyouafewquestionsaboutyourself，andyoucananswerthemornot，justasyouplease。"
　　"Oh，I’mnotbashfulaboutmycareer，"laughedOrde。
　　"Howoldareyou？"inquiredNewmarkabruptly。
　　"Thirty。"
　　"Howlonghaveyoubeendoingthatsortofthing——driving，Imean？"
　　"Offandon，aboutsixyears。"
　　"Whydidyougointothatparticularsortofthing？"
　　Ordeselectedatwigandcarefullythrewitatalumpintheturf。
　　"Becausethere’snothingaheadofshovellingbutdirt，"herepliedwithaquaintgrin。
　　"Isee，"saidNewmark，afterapause。"Thenyouthinkthere’smorefuturetothatsortofthingthanthesortofthingtherestofyourfriendsgoinfor——law，andwholesalegroceries，andbankingandtherestofit？"
　　"Thereisforme，"repliedOrdesimply。
　　"Yetyou’remerelyriver—drivingonasalaryatthirty。"
　　Ordeflushedslowly，andshiftedhisposition。
　　"Exactlyso——Mr。DistrictAttorney，"hesaiddrily。
　　Newmarkstartedfromhisabsorptioninhisquestioningandshiftedhisunlightedcigar。
　　"Doessoundlikeit，"headmitted；"butI’mnotaskingallthisoutofidlecuriosity。I’vegotaschemeinmyheadthatIthinkmayworkoutbigforusboth。"
　　"Well，"assentedOrdereservedly，"inthatcase——I’mforemanonthisdrivebecausemyoutfitwentkerplunktwoyearsago，andI’mmakingafreshgoatit。"
　　"Failed？"inquiredNewmark。
　　"Partnerskedaddled，"repliedOrde。"Now，ifyou’resatisfiedwithmyfamilyhistory，supposeyoutellmewhatthedevilyou’redrivingat。"
　　Hewasplainlyrestiveunderthecross—examinationtowhichhehadbeensubjected。
　　"Lookhere，"saidNewmark，abruptlychangingthesubject，"youknowthatrapidsupriverflankedbyshallows，wherethelogsarealwaysgoingaground？"
　　"Ido，"repliedOrde，stillgrim。
　　"Well，whywouldn’tithelptoputastringofpiersdownbothsides，withboomsbetweenthemtoholdthelogsinthedeeperwater？"
　　"Itwould，"saidOrde。
　　"Whyisn’titdone，then？"
　　"Whowoulddoit？"counteredOrde，leaningbackmoreeasilyintheinterestofthisnewdiscussion。"IfDalydidit，forinstance，thenalltherestofthedriverswouldgettheadvantageofitfornothing。"
　　"Getthemtopaytheirshare。"
　　Ordegrinned。"I’dliketoseeyougetanythreementoagreetoanythingonthisriver。"