The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-12-07
"There's not room for both Of US or
this river"

There's not room for both OF US or
this river"
other had CROPPED and then though
better of the impulse You We're go
ing of your own accord. see. Wei.
I'm telling you to go now! The doors
open. l left it so for you when !
came in. And I'm telling you, too. be
fore you leave that you'll do well nc
to come back. There's not room TO;
both Of us on this river any more. Hal
rigan!''
The riverman's eyes shifted Fur
lively they fitted from face to face il
those rows of faces ut the walls. Blu
whatever he thought or hoped to find
feeting fash of support or encourage
ment-was hidden behind common
mask of establishment as blank as had
been his own. They were waiting fol-
his answer. He knew they We're wait
ing for that as he crossed to the door
And when he paused there, to turn III
sudden savagery, lie realized that his
hardness had robbed him of his
chance. 1t was too late to talk bach
then.
You're tellin' me-" he rasped out
land | was goin'-sur-re! But things
ARE not yet finished between you and
me, for I'm pr-romisin' you that I'll
be back. I'm pr-romisin' you III be
wild We again. I'll be wild We again
come spring."
He disappeared. And hard upon his
going Steve wheeled and fronted those
Of ell Iaonn6
from point to point, as Harrigan's had
craftily fitted. Briefly, crisply, he &C.
companied the sweeping survey With
voice that was loud enough for all of
them to hear.
big Louie! Fallon. Shayne! This
is your chance to say so if you're go,
ing to be lonesome, now that youi
song bird has flown. Speak up! ]
came down tonight just to hear You
talk"
Nothing but an indistinguishable
murmur answered him, low growl
| that was neither argument nor eva.
sion. Rebellion was still long way
ahead for most of them. They had not
vet had time to talk themselves to the
pitch of open revolt. They had merely
begun to listen to Harrigan, whose dis.
ciples in dissatisfaction they were.
And now in his absence they stirred
uncomfortable under the gaze of him
who remained. They dropped their
heads and searched for matches. But
Steve felt toe weight of unspoken
thoughts when he, too, faced back In
the doorway. This time there was NO
naming of names. He embraced the
whole room when he spoke.
"They tell me-" Steve continued, that
there's talk among you of no more
work on the river when we've put this
railroad through. I've heard 1t said
that some of you think you are cutting
the ground out from under your feet
with every skovelful of earth you lift
You ought to know better than that
You ought to know for yourselves that
there'll be need for more men in these
woods than there has ever been before
But If you don't. IL you can't see II
that way. why not come around anc
let me have fair chance to tall
things over with you myself before
you decide to turn on this job? ! wan
you to remember that man who is E
liar in one thing is mighty likely tt
talk. loose tongued. no matter what h'
breaches"
And there. without lifting his eyes
from the floor. Big Louie cleared hi
throat and made answer
Maybe" he retorted-"maybe, ant
maybe not so sure either! ! have lis
tened to big words before now, me
that have put no food under my belt
no coat to my back"