Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/262

 “You evidently have a very poor opinion of him,” laughed the professor. “Despite his reputation I do not see how the company can go into a court of law and succeed in their suit to hold the land.”

“They’ve got to succeed,” cried Abner, smiting his knee. “It’s not only a question of more’n a hundred thousand dollars, but it’s a question of reputation. Never yet has the company lost in a law-suit. President Thaxter has always directed that the company shall not begin any trouble it can’t go through with and win out. Because of that fighting spirit—and always fighting to win—operators have been mighty skeery of stepping on us. Every man-jack of ’em knows he’s got to have the right on his side if he would whip the company.”

“Certainly; I appreciate that,” said the professor. “But if no litigation has been commenced how is the company embarrassed?”

“Ye mean law-suit by that litisomething,” mumbled Abner. “Taking it fer granted that ye do I’ll tell ye this much: Hatton has gone off half-cocked. He’s formally notified Nace that he should hold the land. Having gone that far and Nace having told other operators and made bets that he would beat us out ye can