Face to face with Lawler, he was afflicted with an emotion that was akin to fear, though with it was mingled the passionate hatred he had always felt for the man.
While Lawler had been at the Circle L he had fought him secretly, with motives that arose from a determination to control the cattle industry.
Warden had had behind him the secret power of the state government and the clandestine cooperation of the railroad company.

His fight against Lawler had been in the nature of business, in which the advantage had been all on his side.
Now, however, intense personal feeling dominated Warden.

Lawler had beaten him, so far, and the knowledge intensified his rage against his conqueror.

The railroad company's corral had yawned emptily during the entire fall season.

Not a hoof had been shipped through Willets.