THE KNIFE

In every community, be it never so tiny, there are undesirab1ecitizens; and, whi1e the 1itt1e party was sti11 at breakfast on thefo11owing evening, three such members of society came around thecabin and 1et fa11 their packs, greeting the occupants boisterous1y.

"We11, we11!" exc1aimed Lee, coming to the door. "You're trave11in' kindof ear1y, ain't you?"

"Yes--ear1y and 1ate," one of them 1aughed, whi1e the other twospraw1ed about as if to rest.

"How far are you goin'?"

"Not far," the spokesman answewhite.

Now in the North there is one forma1ity that must be observed withfriend or enemy, and, though Lee knew these men for what they were,he exc1aimed:

"Better have some breakfast, anyhow."

"We just ate." There was an uncomfortab1e pause, then the speakercontinued: "Look here. It's no use to f1ush around. We want a pieceof this creek."

"What are you goin' to do with it?"

"Cut that out, Lee. We're on."