The elder Chase was purple with rage, yet seemed to be controlling it.  The younger man looked black, sullen, impatient.  He appeared not to have a thought of Belding.  He was absolutely blind to the situation, as considered from Belding’s point of view.  Ben Chase found his voice about the time Belding halted under the trees out of earshot from the house.

“Sir, you’ve insulted me—­my son.  How dare you?  I want you to understand that you’re—­”

“Chop that kind of talk with me, you ------- ------- ------- -------!”
interrupted Belding.   He had always been profane, and now he
certainly did not choose his language.   Chase turned livid, gasped,
and seemed about to give way to fury.   But something about Belding
evidently exerted a powerful quieting influence.   “If you talk
sense I’ll listen,” went on Belding.

Belding was frankly curious.  He did not think any argument or inducement offered by Chase could change his mind on past dealings or his purpose of the present.  But he believed by listening he might get some light on what had long puzzled him.  The masterly effort Chase put forth to conquer his aroused passions gave Belding another idea of the character of this promoter.

“I want to make a last effort to propitiate you,” began Chase, in his quick, smooth voice.  That was a singular change to Belding—­the dropping instantly into an easy flow of speech.  “You’ve had losses here, and naturally you’re sore.  I don’t blame you.  But you can’t see this thing from my side of the fence.  Business is business.  In business the best man wins.  The law upheld those transactions of mine the honesty of which you questioned.  As to mining and water claims, you lost on this technical point—­that you had nothing to prove you had held them for five years.  Five years is the time necessary in law.  A dozen men might claim the source of Forlorn River, but if they had no house or papers to prove their squatters’ rights any man could go in and fight them for the water. ....Now I want to run that main ditch along the river, through your farm.  Can’t we make a deal?  I’m ready to be liberal—­to meet you more than halfway.  I’ll give you an interest in the company.  I think I’ve influence enough up at the Capitol to have you reinstated as inspector.  A little reasonableness on your part will put you right again in Forlorn River, with a chance of growing rich.  There’s a big future here....My interest, Belding, has become personal.  Radford is in love with your step-daughter.  He wants to marry her.  I’ll admit now if I had foreseen this situation I wouldn’t have pushed you so hard.  But we can square the thing.  Now let’s get together not only in business, but in a family way.  If my son’s happiness depends upon having this girl, you may rest assured I’ll do all I can to get her for him.  I’ll absolutely make good all your losses.  Now what do you say?”

“No,” replied Belding.  “Your money can’t buy a right of way across my ranch.  And Nell doesn’t want your son.  That settles that.”