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Updated: May 13, 2025
"No," said the former, returning to the subject with an affectation of naive directness. "I don't like Alton, and I figure he don't like me. Nothing wrong with the man that I know of, but I'm not fond of anybody who gets in my way, and Alton of Somasco has taken out timber rights all over the valley where we're running the Tyee. He got in with his claim a day or two ahead of me."
"Our rancher kinsman occasionally makes it very evident that he is Alton of Somasco but there are also times when he appears to understand what would be becoming in Alton of Carnaby."
Now you'll ride in to the settlement to-morrow, and put up a notice at the store: 'The ranchers of the Somasco district are requested to attend a meeting at 6.30, Saturday. At the bottom you'll put a big 'Important. I've got to have a talk with you to-night."
"That, I figure, is one of the most useful men in the Dominion, and between Somasco and the place in England he has a good deal in his hands," he said. Seaforth understood him, and smiled grimly. "We brought nothing into this world and we'll be very close to the next one in a few more minutes," he said. "Hadn't you better get way on, Tom?"
The man laughed, and answered him in the bushman's slowest drawl. "You don't know much, or you wouldn't ask," said he. "He's Alton of Somasco, but if he lives long enough he will be one of the biggest men in this country." Hallam said nothing, but there was a curious look in his face which puzzled the rancher. It suggested that he had heard of Alton, and something more.
He had gathered that before the morning Alton of Somasco and Carnaby would either have laid aside his activities for ever or be within hope of recovery, and while Deringham dare not ask himself just then whether he desired the death of his kinsman, the suspense was maddening.
She may also have been aware that the picture had its attractions for a man who had lived a grim life of toil and self-denial, as this one had done. "It has occurred to me that this coffee is not the same that we had when we first came to Somasco," she said. Alton appeared a trifle embarrassed. "I had to go down and worry Horton about one or two little things," he said.
One arm of it dipped again, and wound through a deep sheltered hollow to the Somasco ranch, the other ran straight along the hillside to Townshead's dwelling. The hillside was also steep, the beasts were tired, and the trail was very bad. Seaforth glanced at his comrade when they stopped a moment, and saw him dimly, tugging at the Cayuse's bridle, through the snow.
He was also wondering by what means he could lessen one difficulty, but it was Seaforth who devised one first. "Things will get better presently," he said. "Now Harry and I often remember the pleasant evenings we spent at your ranch, and we never got suppers like those Miss Townshead made us, at Somasco."
"Have you a mineral water factory at Somasco, too?" she said. "Not yet," said Alton gravely. "But we may have by and by, though some of my partners would have more use for a distillery. We're going to have everything that will pay, but we've been too busy making roads lately." Forel stood up, looking a little more thoughtful. "You are, at any rate, running up a confoundedly long bill," he said.
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