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 you've been generous. You see, I grant the possibility of defeat."

"That's modest," she murmured.

"Meaning that it isn't. Well, perhaps modesty isn't one of the things they teach out our way. Modesty, in fact, doesn't do a chap much good when he's hustling for things in our country. It's the chap who elbows his way through and reaches out and grabs what he's after that makes the hit. I've done that; had to. Usually I've got what I wanted. When I told Dave—Dave is my partner, and the best old rough diamond that ever lived. When I told him that I had seen the woman I wanted, and had set my mind on getting her, Dave was a little inclined to be pessimistic at first. 'You can't come here and pick out a gal and just marry her out of hand,' said Dave. Then I asked him why not, and he didn't seem to know. After he'd thought it over a while he concluded it wasn't so unreasonable after all. 'I don't say you won't do it,' be said. 'I don't recollect ever seeing