Part 21 (2/2)

On my way back to the rooms to clean up a bit, I decided to see the attorneys first, and was considerably irritated to find the man after our barrel standing at the foot of my stairs, waiting sentry-like for me as though I had committed a crime. Something about the undersized fellow aggravated me, though I knew I had great need of him now. The impulse was strong upon me to put my foot on his stomach and shove him across the street into a curio shop. I was sure he wanted that barrel of color, but I didn't like his face. If I didn't sell it to him I could elsewhere, so I was obdurate. One hundred dollars per pound, cash, current funds in hand, take it or leave it, but say so quick, was all he could get out of me, as I kept thinking all the time of the necessity of was.h.i.+ng up and getting over to see the attorneys.

He finally took me to his bankers, who told me his credit was practically unlimited with them, then he said he would take it on my terms. We went to the warehouse, got the barrel and weighed it carefully. He even paid me for the odd ounces and it was not until we went back to the bank and the money was actually in my possession, that I realized the size of the transaction. He then told me it was a very rare color and that only a small amount was required for blending, which was the reason they could pay so much.

It took most of the day, but I did have time to go to the attorney's office, and begin more jockeying for position. I soon learned they wanted money, not the boat, were even willing to take it on the _excitement_ plan, as Hiram suggested. It was worth more but they would take twenty thousand dollars. I thought they were distinctly disappointed when I offered cash.

I obtained some allowance for what we paid at the sale. I then returned to the rooms with a bill of sale for the vessel, knowing it would not be long before Hiram would come. I felt disposed to laugh. Some one's plans had miscarried.

I heard his step on the first stair. He came up this time one step at a time, as though carrying weights on each foot, and when he came in I saw he was tired and hungry, but mystified and still fighting.

He came by way of his room, through the communicating door, into my room, where I was busy looking over a considerable mail, placed a chair back toward me, sat down on it reverse way, resting his arms on the back, let fall his big unshaven chin and looked from under the visor of his cap like a young lion ready to spring.

”Ben, you old dog, what have you been doing?” quick to gather a.s.surance from my att.i.tude. ”Just before I left the dock the tug and all the men left, saying they were through so far as they knew.”

”Yes, the _Fearsome_ is released, and all claims against it settled.”

”Yes--yes--but how did you do it?” he demanded.

Somehow at that moment it occurred to me that it might be best to tell the whole incredible story of the sale of the barrel of color which had been a standing joke between us. It was one of those extremely rare things that could happen only in war times, and I thought the flog of resistance better for him than the stimulant of easy success.

”Well, I induced them to cut their claim down some----”

”Yes--yes,” he interrupted; ”get to the point--how did you do it?”

”Well,” I began again, ”this morning I was too busy to tell you that a man came all the way from New York to buy our barrel of steel filings,--he's been waiting about all the time we have been gone on our trip--when I got through with him I had enough money to release the _Fearsome_ and----”

”Ben,” he interrupted, his eyes glittering, ”you are an infernal--no, I won't say liar, because I don't believe you would lie--but you are romancing now to make me feel good, but----”

”All right, then, have it your way--all you need to know is that the _Fearsome_ is released and you are free to do with her as you like--but just now I advise a shave for you and some stimulating food--for instance a beefsteak as big as----”

”Ben, it's got to be as big as the state of New Hamps.h.i.+re this time and as thick as the crust of the earth----” He interrupted himself by springing over the chair, as I thought to thump me on the back, but instead he grabbed my hand affectionately. He craved relief from a long strain; my information took effect upon him like the champagne he used to take, and at that moment refused to consider what it cost or its ultimate effect.

CHAPTER XXV

WE both cleaned up a bit and went out to dinner. I found he had done a good deal of planning. He knew what he wanted but did not know exactly how to get it. He was firm in the plan of getting the saw-mill we had seen in the unclaimed freight house onto the deck of the _Fearsome_ and going up the river for the double purpose of making lumber from the ”floaters,” but most of all to have an excuse for getting into Becker & Co.'s plant. He was very sober most of the time, even morose, but occasionally his youthful buoyancy and humor would break out in the most surprising and delightful way.

We canva.s.sed the details of using the motor to run the saw, and decided that we would try it the next day.

”But, Hiram, suppose the timber people insist on your going back for another load? They can force you.”

”They know, or think, we are still tied up with litigation.

Besides--can't you explain to some one--a few days will turn the trick,” he reasoned. ”After we get Becker we may want to see them as badly as they want to see us,” he added, with an eye for the main chance.

”Hiram, have you seen or heard from Anna Bell Morgan?” I asked suddenly to surprise him.

”No, I haven't--but as the time approaches--and you know it is coming--when I can go back to her with clean hands, I feel as though I can hardly contain myself. That's what keeps me up and doing; of course, I want to make out the Gold-Beater as a d.a.m.ned poor prophet about my future, but the main thing is her. Do you know, I actually feel her beside me urging me on and making me do things. It will be my happiest day when I can go back to her clean--actually clean.” While he spoke he was digging away at the remnants of the great steak he had consumed, and for the first time I saw the harbingers of real manhood as he looked at me through eyes unabashed and unashamed.

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