and their friends.  When the real prospector arrives, with his year’s outfit, he finds hundreds of miles, a whole valley staked, and his one chance is to buy or work under a lease.  Most of these speculators live in the towns, some of them down here in Seattle, carrying on other business, and they never visit their claims.  They re-stake and re-stake year after year and follow on the heels of each new strike, often by proxy.  We have proof enough of all this to convince the most lukewarm senator.”

“You think then,” said Foster quickly, “there is going to be a chance, after all, for the bill for Home Rule?”

“No.”  Tisdale’s voice lost its mellowness.  “It is a mistake; it’s asking too much at the beginning.  We need amended mining laws; we should work for that at once, in the quickest concerted way.  And, first of all, our special delegates should push the necessity of a law giving a defined length of shaft or tunnel for assessment work, as is enforced in the Klondike, and ask for efficient inspectors to see that such laws as we have are obeyed.”

Foster moved to the window and stood looking down again on the city lights.  Presently he said:  “I presume you will see the President while you are in Washington.”

“Probably.  He is always interested in the field work up there, and this season’s reconnaissance in the Matanuska coal district should be of special importance to him just now.  The need of a naval coaling station on the Pacific coast has grown imperative, and with vast bodies of coal accessible to Prince William Sound, the question of location should soon be solved.”

There was another silence, while Poster walked again to the end of the room and returned.  “How soon do you start east?” he asked.

“Within a week.  Meantime, I am going over the Cascades into the sage-brush country to look up that land of Weatherbee’s.”

“You intend then,” said Foster quickly, “to take that piece of desert off Mrs. Weatherbee’s hands?”

“Perhaps.  It depends on the possibility of carrying out his project.  I have just shipped a steam thawing apparatus in to the Aurora, and that, with supplies for a winter camp, has taken a good deal of ready money.  Freighting runs high, whether it’s from the Iditarod or south from Fairbanks.  But spring should see expenses paid and my investment back.”

“From all I’ve heard,” responded Foster dryly, “you’ll get your investment back with interest.”

“Of course,” said Tisdale after a moment, “Mrs. Weatherbee will be eager to dispose of the tract; the only reason it is still on her hands is that no one has wanted to buy it at any price.”

“And that’s just why you should.”  Foster paused, then went on slowly, controlling the emotion in his voice, “You don’t know her, Hollis.  She’s proud.  She won’t admit the situation, and I can’t ask her directly, but I am sure she has come to the limit.  I’ve been trying all day, ever since I knew I must go north again, to raise enough money to make an offer for that land, but practically all I have is tied up in Alaska properties.  It takes time to find a customer, and the banks are cautious.”