With a nod, Carnac put the statue on the table in front of the old man,
and said: "It's all right, isn't it? I've lifted that out of the river-
life. That's one of the best men you ever had, and he's only one of a
thousand. He doesn't belong anywhere. He's a rover, an adventurer, a
wanton of the waters. Look at him. He's all right, isn't he?" He asked
this again.
The timber-man waved the statue aside, and looked at the youth with
critical eyes. "I've just been making up the accounts for the year," he
said. "It's been the best year I've had in seven. I've taken the starch
out of Belloc and Fabian. I've broken the back of their opposition--I've
got it like a twig in iron teeth."
"Yes, Tarboe's been some use, hasn't he?" was the suggestive response.
John Grier's eyes hardened. "You might have done it. You had it in you.
The staff of life--courage and daring--were yours, and you wouldn't take
it on. What's the result? I've got a man who's worth two of Fabian and
Belloc. And you"--he held up a piece of paper--"see that," he broke off.
"See that. It's my record. That's what I'm worth. That's what you
might have handled!" He took a cigar from his pocket, cut off the blunt
end, and continued: "You threw your chance aside.
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