Then, the peat-cutting was his plan; he had, without altogether meaning to do so, allowed himself to become the leader of the revolt against Osborn.

In a way, of course, he was the proper man, because Ashness belonged to his father, and Hayes could not punish him for meddling.

Still, Hayes could punish the tenant farmers and Kit knew they ran some risk.
On the whole, he thought the risk worth while.

He had a talent that was beginning to develop for leading and saw when one could negotiate and when one must fight.

He did not want to fight Osborn, but was being forced into the conflict, and it was comforting to feel that Miss Osborn was not against him.