"It hasn't been so long since there wasn't any mail for the West anyhow, and now look at this bag! Kentucky, and this new Tennessee, and Mississippi, and Louisiana, and the Lord knows what besides! Letters coming thick and fast to Mr.Jefferson, and letters going out from every one who has a dollar or an acre or a son or brother in those God-forsaken parts where Adam Gaudylock says they don't speak English and you walk uphill to the river! I like things snug, Mr.Rand, and this country's too big and this mail's too heavy.

You have correspondents out there yourself, sir." "Yes," answered Rand, with indifference.

"As you say, Mr.Smock, all the world writes letters nowadays.

Certainly it is natural that from all over the West men should write to Mr.Jefferson." "Natural or not, they do it," quoth Mr.Smock doggedly.

"I thought I heard the stage horn ?" Rand looked at his watch.