human
Did you and Lance find anything?
gpt
We went to the bluff, he said.
human
What we found was two homesteaders cutting down all the best trees.
gpt
Homesteaders!
human
You warned them off, of course!
gpt
Lance did. But one of the fellows retorted that the timber was his.
human
Impossible! Mowbray said sharply.
gpt
The nearest preemption is six miles off--and that's too close!
human
It appears that the man has just bought the section on our western range-line. He referred me to the land register, if I had any doubt. I'm afraid you must take it for granted, sir, that we are going to have neighbors.
gpt
Never! Mowbray brought his fist down on the table with a resounding blow.
human
We may not be able to turn out these intruders, but I decline to consider them neighbors of ours. He turned to the others.
gpt
You must see that this is disturbing news. We came here to live in accordance with the best English traditions, and although we had to put up with some hardships, there were compensations--abundant sport, space, and freedom. In a sense, the country was ours, with its wood and water, as far as we cared to ride. Now every homestead that is built restricts what we have regarded, with some justice, as our rights. We took heavy risks in settling here when people believed it was economically impossible to farm at Allenwood.
human
These fellows will put an end to our running range horses and cattle, one man said.
gpt
If many of them come into the district, we may have to put down the coyote hounds, and ask permission before we course a jack-rabbit. Then they could make us divert our trails to the road reserves.
human
Something of that kind may happen, Kenwyne interposed.
gpt
But the fellow I met seemed inclined to be friendly. Said he'd let our trail stand and we might cut what wood we wanted, provided we get his permission.
human
Although you recognize the lesser drawbacks, he said,
gpt
I'm afraid you miss the most important point. I must remind you that this settlement was founded to enable a certain stamp of Englishmen to enjoy a life that was becoming more difficult without large means at home. A man with simple tastes could find healthy occupation out of doors, keep a good horse, and get as much shooting as he wanted. So long as his farming covered, or nearly covered, his expenses, that was all that was required. We have not discouraged the making of money, but I must frankly say that this was not our object. Now I see threats of change. We may be brought into contact, and perhaps into opposition, with men whose motives are different. Their coming here has to me a sinister meaning.
human
Allenwood has been a success, said Broadwood;
gpt
Do you admire modern methods? somebody asked.
human
If you do, you'd better study what things are coming to in America and England. There is not a hired man at Allenwood who is not on first-rate terms with his master; do you want to under-pay and over-drive them or, on the other hand, to have them making impossible demands, and playing the mischief by a harvest strike? I agree with our respected leader that we don't want to change.
gpt
But tell us about these intruders, Mowbray said to Kenwyne.
human
What sort of men are they?
gpt
Well, first of all, they're workers; there's no mistaking that. And I'd judge that they came from the States--Dakota, perhaps.
human
That is to say, they're hustlers! a lad broke in.
gpt
Couldn't we buy them out before they get started, sir?
human
It would cost us something to buy a section, and we would have to work part of it to pay the new taxes. Then the fellows would probably find out that it was an easy way of getting a good price; and we couldn't keep on buying them out. We have all the land we want, and must be careful whom we allow to join us.
gpt
I think we should try to keep an open mind, Kenwyne suggested.
human
It might pay us to watch the men and see what they can teach us. Sooner or later we shall have to improve our farming, and we may as well begin it gradually. After all, it's something to gather two bushels of wheat where only one grew.
gpt
I'm sorry to see you and Broadwood taking this line, Ralph; but I've long suspected that your views were not quite sound. Frankly, I'm afraid of the thin end of the wedge. He turned to the others.
human
You will understand that there can be no compromise. We shall continue to live as English gentlemen and have nothing to do with the grasping commercialism that is getting a dangerous hold on the older countries. I will do my best to keep Allenwood free from it while I have the power.
gpt
Whatever my private opinions are, I think you know you can rely on my loyal support in all you do for the good of the settlement, sir, Kenwyne replied.
human
Now that we have the matter before us, it might be well if you told us how we are to treat these Americans. We're bound to meet them.
gpt
I cannot suggest discourtesy, since it would be foreign to your character and against our traditions; but I do not wish you to become intimate with them.