Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/401

 of that belief you can always make terms with me. Now, Mister Hatton, I’ve got all the money I need, and that timber isn’t for sale.”

Hatton clicked his teeth and gently asked, “What do you intend to do then?”

“I intend to make your company back water. I propose to let every man in the state know that the Great Northern has met more than its match. You’ve got to go through with this thing now you’ve started it, and you’ll go into court and admit you’re mistaken and pay the costs. Then we’ll see what about my counter claim for damages.”

“Counter claim?” cried Hatton, shaken out of his habitual calm.

“Yes, sirree! Counter claim,” triumphantly repeated Nace. “Think you can blacken my character and put me to a big expense to hold what’s mine and then end the matter by simply refusing to sue? Hardly. I’m going to have damages, and big damages. After that point has been settled we’ll see what about selling the land. It might be possible that I would set a price on it, providing you showed the proper spirit in doing what is just and fair.”

“Just and fair,” murmured Hatton in deep disgust. “You mean you believe you have a