“I never knew Johnny Erbe to refuse any sort of case he’d get paid for,” observed California John.

“Well, he’s certainly raising a dust up north,” said Thorne.  “Every paper all at once is full of the most incendiary stuff.  I hate to send a ranger up there these days.”

“I reckon the boys can take care of themselves!” put in Ross Fletcher.

California John turned to look at him.

“Sure thing, Ross,” he drawled, “and a first-class row between a brutal ranger—­who could take care of himself—­and an inoffensive citizen would read fine in print.”

“That’s the idea,” approved Thorne.  “We can’t afford a row right now.  It would bring matters to a head.”

“There’s the Harris case, and the others,” suggested Amy; “what are you going to do about them, now?”

“Carry them through according to my instructions, unless I get orders to the contrary,” said Thorne.  “It is the policy of the Service throughout to clear up and settle these doubtful land cases.  We must get such things decided.  We can’t stop because of a little localized popular clamour.”

“Are there many such cases up in the Durham country?” asked Bob.

“Probably a dozen or so.”

“Isn’t it likely that those men have got behind Samuels in order to discourage action on their own cases?”

“I think there’s no doubt of it,” answered Thorne, “but the point is, they’ve been fighting tooth and nail from the start.  We had felt out their strength from the first, and it developed nothing like this.”

“That’s where Erbe comes in,” suggested Bob.

“Probably.”

“It don’t amount to nothin’,” said California John.  “In the first place, it’s only the ‘nesters,’ [A] the saloon crowd, who are after you for Austin’s case; and the usual muck of old-timers and loafers who either think they own the country and ought to have a free hand in everything just as they’re used to, or who are agin the Government on general principles.  I don’t believe the people at Durham are behind this.  I bet a vote would give us a majority right now.”

“Well, the majority stays in the house, then,” observed Ross Fletcher drily.  “I didn’t observe none of them when I walked down the street.”

“I believe with John,” said Thorne.  “This crowd makes an awful noise, but it doesn’t mean much.  The Office cannot fail to uphold us.  There’s nobody of any influence or importance behind all this.”

Nevertheless, so skilfully was the campaign conducted, pressure soon made itself felt from above.  The usual memorials and largely-signed protests were drawn up and presented to the senators from California, and the representatives of that and neighbouring districts.  Men in the employ of the saloon element rode actively in all directions obtaining signatures.  A signature to anything that does not carry financial obligation is the easiest thing in the world to get.  Hundreds