To this short and inconclusive interview, however, Baker1 did not fail to add somewhat through Oldham. The agent used none of the circumspection2 Baker had considered necessary, but rode openly into camp and asked for Bob. The latter, remembering Oldham's reputed antagonism3 to Baker, could not but admire the convenience of the arrangement. The lank4 and sinister5 figure of Saleratus Bill was observed to accompany that of the land agent, but the gun man, at a sign from his principal; did not dismount. He greeted no one, but sat easily across his saddle, holding the reins6 of both horses in his left hand, his jaws7 working slowly, his evil, little eyes wandering with sardonic9 interest over the people and belongings10 at headquarters. Ware11 nodded to him. The man's eyes half closed and for an instant the motion of his jaw8 quickened. Otherwise he made no sign.
Oldham drew Bob one side.
"I want to talk to you where we won't be interrupted," he requested.
"Talk on," said Bob, seating himself on a log. "The open is as good a place as another; you can see your eavesdroppers there."
Oldham considered this a moment, then nodded his head, and took his place by the young man's side.
"It's about those Modoc lands," said he.
"I suppose so," said Bob.
"Mr. Baker tells me you fully12 intend to prosecute13 a suit for their recovery."
"I believe the Government intends to do so. I am, of course, only the agent of the Government in this or any other matter."
"In other words, you have received orders to proceed?"
"I would hardly be acting14 without them, would I?"
"Of course; I see. Mr. Baker is sometimes hasty. Assuming that you cared to do so, is there no way you could avoid this necessity?"
"None that I can discover. I must obey orders as long as I'm a government officer."
"Exactly," said Oldham. "Now we reach the main issue. What if you were not a government officer?"
"But I am."
"Assume that you were not."
"Naturally my successor would carry out the same orders."
"But," suggested Oldham, "it might very well be that another man would not be--well, quite so qualified15 to carry out the case--"
"You mean I'm the only one who heard Baker say he was going to cheat the Government," put in Bob bluntly.
"You and Mr. Welton and Mr. Baker were the only ones present at a certain interview," he amended16. "Now, in the event that you were not personally in charge of the case would you feel it necessary to volunteer testimony17 unsuspected by anybody but you three?"
"If I were to resign, I should volunteer nothing," stated Bob.
Oldham's frosty eyes gleamed with satisfaction behind their glasses.
"That's good!" he cried.
"But I have no intention of resigning," Bob concluded.
"That is a matter open to discussion," Oldham took him up. "There are a great many reasons that you have not yet considered."
"I'm ready to hear them," said Bob.
"Look at the case as it stands. In the first place, you cannot but admit that Mr. Baker and the men associated with him have done great things for this country. When they came into it, it was an undeveloped wilderness18, supplying nothing of value to civilization, and supporting only a scattered19 and pastoral people. The valley towns went about their business on horse cars; they either paid practically a prohibitive price for electricity and gas, or used oil and candles; they drank well water and river water. The surrounding country was either a desert given over to sage20 brush and jack21 rabbits, or raised crops only according to the amount of rain that fell. You can have no conception, Mr. Orde, of the condition of the country in some of these regions before irrigation. In place of this the valley people now enjoy rapid transportation, not only through the streets of their towns, but also by trolley22 lines far out in all directions. They have cheap and abundant electric light and power. They possess pure drinking water. Above all they raise their certain crops irrespective of what rains the heavens may send."
Bob admitted that electricity and irrigation are good things.
"These advantages have drawn24 people. I am not going to bore you with a lot of statistics, but the population of all White Oaks County, for instance, is now above fifty thousand people, where before was a scant25 ten. But how much agricultural wealth do you suppose these people _export_ each year? Not how much they _produce_, but their net exportations?"
"Give it up."
"Fifty million dollars worth! That's a marvellous per capita."
"It is indeed," said Bob.
"Now," said Oldham impressively, "that wealth would be absolutely non-existent, that development could not have taken place, _did_ not take place, until men of Mr. Baker's genius and courage came along to take hold. I have personally the greatest admiration26 for Mr. Baker as a type of citizen without whom our resources and possibilities would be in the same backward condition as obtains in Canada."
"I'm with you there," said Bob.
"Mr. Baker has added a community to the state, cities to the commonwealth27, millions upon millions of dollars to the nation's wealth. He took long chances, and he won out. Do not you think in return the national resources should in a measure reward him for the advantages he has conferred and the immense wealth he has developed? Mind you, Mr. Baker has merely taken advantage of the strict letter of the law. It is merely open to another interpretation29. He needs this particular body of timber for the furtherance of one of his greatest quasi-public enterprises; and who has a better right in the distribution of the public domain31 than the man who uses it to develop the country? The public land has always been intended for the development of resources, and has always been used as such."
Oldham talked fluently and well. He argued at length along the lines set forth32 above.
"You have to use lubricating oil to overcome friction33 on a machine," he concluded. "You have to subsidize a railroad by land grants to enter a new country. By the same immutable34 law you must offer extraordinary inducements to extraordinary men. Otherwise they will not take the risks."
"I've nothing to do with the letter of the law," Bob replied; "only with its spirit and intention. The main idea of the mineral act is to give legitimate35 miners the timber they need for legitimate mining. Baker does not pretend, except officially, that he ever intends to do anything with his claims. He certainly has done a great work for the country. I'll agree to everything you say there. But he came into California worth nothing, and he is now reputed to be worth ten millions and to control vast properties. That would seem to be reward enough for almost anybody. He does not need this Basin property for any of his power projects, except that its possession would let him off from paying a very reasonable tax on the waterpower he has been accustomed to getting free. Cutting that timber will not develop the country any further. I don't see the value of your argument in the present case."
"Mr. Baker has invested in this project a great many millions of dollars," said Oldham. "He must be adequately safeguarded. To further develop and even to maintain the efficiency of what he has, he must operate to a large extent on borrowed capital. Borrowing depends on credit; and credit depends on confidence. If conditions are proved to be unstable36, capital will prove more than cautious in risking itself. That is elementary. Surely you can see that point."
"I can see that, all right," admitted Bob.
"Well," went on Oldham, taking heart, "think of the responsibility you are assuming in pushing forward a mere28 technicality, and a debatable technicality at that. You are not only jeopardizing37 a great and established business--I will say little of that--but you are risking the prosperity of a whole countryside. If Mr. Baker's enterprises should quit this section, the civilization of the state would receive a serious setback38. Thousands of men would be thrown out of employment, not only on the company's works, but all along the lines of its holdings; electric light and power would increase in price--a heavy burden to the consumer; the country trolley lines must quit business, for only with water-generated power can they compete with railroads at all; fertile lands would revert39 to desert--"
"I am not denying the value of Mr. Baker's enterprises," broke in Bob; "but what has a billion and a half of timber to do with all this?"
"Mr. Baker has long been searching for an available supply for use in the enterprises," said Oldham, eagerly availing himself of this opening. "You probably have a small idea of the immense lumber40 purchases necessary for the construction of the power plants, trolley lines, and roads projected by Mr. Baker. Heretofore the company has been forced to buy its timber in the open market."
"This would be cheaper," suggested Bob.
"Much."
"That would increase net profits, of course. I suppose that would result in increased dividends41. Or, perhaps, the public would reap the benefit in decreased cost of service."
"Undoubtedly42 both. Certainly electricity and transportation would cheapen."
"The same open markets can still supply the necessary timber?"
"At practically prohibitive cost," Oldham reminded.
"Which the company has heretofore afforded--and still paid its dividends," said Bob calmly. "Well, Mr. Oldham, even were I inclined to take all you say at its face value; even were I willing to admit that unless Mr. Baker were given this timber his business would fail, the country would be deprived of the benefits of his enterprise, and the public seriously incommoded, I would still be unable to follow the logic43 of your reasoning. Mind you, I do not admit anything of the kind. I do not anticipate any more dire23 results than that the dividends will remain at their present per cent. But even supposing your argument to be well founded, this timber belongs to the people of the United States. It is part of John Jones's heritage, whether John Jones lives in White Oaks or New York. Why should I permit Jones of New York to be robbed in favour of Jones of White Oaks--especially since Jones of New York put me here to look after his interests for him? That's the real issue; and it's very simple."
"You look at the matter from a wrong point of view----" began Oldham, and stopped. The land agent was shrewd, and knew when he had come to an _impasse_.
"I always respect a man who does his duty," he began again, "and I can see how you're tied up in this matter. But a resignation could be arranged for very easily. Mr. Baker knows thoroughly44 both your ability and experience, and has long regretted that he has not been able to avail himself of them. Of course, as you realize, the great future of all this country is not along the lines even of such great industries as lumber manufacture, but in agriculture and in waterpower engineering. Here, more than anywhere else in the world, Water is King!"
A recollection tickled45 Bob. He laughed outright46. Oldham glanced at him sharply.
"Oh, the Lucky Lands," said he at last; "I'd forgotten you had ever been there. Well, the saying is as true now as it was then. The great future for any young man is along those lines. I am sure--in fact, I am told to say with authority--that Mr. Baker would be only too pleased to have you come in with him on this new enterprise he is opening up."
"As how?"
"As stockholder to the extent of ten thousand shares preferred, and a salaried position in the field, of course. But, that is a small matter compared with the future opportunities--"
"It's cheering to know that I'm worth so much," interrupted Bob. "Shares now worth par30?"
"A fraction over."
"One hundred thousand and some odd dollars," observed Bob. "It's a nice tidy bribe47; and if I were any sort of a bribe taker at all, I'd surely feel proud and grateful. Only I'm not. So you might just as well have made it a million, and then I'd have felt still more set up over it."
"I hope you don't think I'm a bribe giver, either," said Oldham. "I admit my offer was not well-timed; but it has been long under contemplation, and I mentioned it as it occurred to me."
Having thus glided48 over this false start, the land agent promptly49 opened another consideration.
"Perhaps we are at fatal variance50 on our economics," said he; "but how about the justice of the thing? When you get right down to cases, how about the rest of them? I'll venture to say there are not two private timber holdings of any size in this country that have been acquired strictly51 within the letter of the law. Do you favour general confiscation52?"
"I believe in the law," declared Bob, "and I do not believe your statement."
Oldham rose.
"I tell you this, young man," he said coldly: "you can prosecute the Modoc Company or not, as you please--or, perhaps, I should say, you can introduce your private testimony or not, as you please. We are reasonable; and we know you cannot control government prosecutions53. But the Modoc Company intends that you play no favourites."
"I do not understand you," said Bob with equal coldness.
"If the Modoc Company is prosecuted54, we will make it our business to see that every great land owner holding title in this Forest is brought into the courts for the same offence. If the letter of the law is to be enforced against us, we'll see that it is enforced against all others."
Bob bowed. "Suits me," said he.
"Does it?" sneered55 Oldham. He produced a bundle of papers bound by a thick elastic56. "Well, I've saved you some trouble in your next case. Here are certified57 copies of the documents for it, copied at Sacramento, and subscribed58 to before a notary59. Of course, you can verify them; but you'll find them accurate."
He handed them to Bob, who took them, completely puzzled. Oldham's next speech enlightened him.
"You'll find there," said the older man, tapping the papers in Bob's hand, "the documents in full relating to the Wolverine Company's land holdings, and how they were acquired. After looking them over, we shall expect you to bring suit. If you do not do so, we will take steps to force you to do so--or, failing this, to resign!"
With these words, Oldham turned square on his heel and marched to where Saleratus Bill was stationed with the horses. Bob stared after him, the bundle of papers in his hand. When Oldham had mounted, Bob looked down on these papers.
"The second line of defence!" said he.
收听单词发音 |
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baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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antagonism
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| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
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lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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Amended
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| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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trolley
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| n.手推车，台车；无轨电车；有轨电车 | |
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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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friction
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| n.摩擦，摩擦力 | |
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immutable
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| adj.不可改变的，永恒的 | |
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legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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jeopardizing
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| 危及，损害( jeopardize的现在分词 ) | |
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setback
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| n.退步，挫折，挫败 | |
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revert
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| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
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lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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variance
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| n.矛盾，不同 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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confiscation
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| n. 没收, 充公, 征收 | |
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53
prosecutions
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| 起诉( prosecution的名词复数 )； 原告； 实施； 从事 | |
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prosecuted
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| a.被起诉的 | |
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55
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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subscribed
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| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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notary
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| n.公证人，公证员 | |
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