88 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



''I've got a right to go," replied the other, "if 

 I think he's got Duck in there out o' season. I 

 stand by my rights as game warden o ' the county. 

 Yo' can say what yo' like about it, but I'm go in' 

 in to see!" 



"You're getting after this in the wrong way, 

 Thompson," the other warned him, "we don't 

 want to set people against the game laws, they're 

 hostile enough about them as it is. You ought 

 to reason with them, show them that the game laws 

 are for their good, just as for every one else." 



"Eeason with 'em!" growled the game warden. 

 * ' Reason with Bull Adam ! Much good that 'd do ! 

 No, I'll search the house first an' reason after- 

 wards. I'm county game warden and this is my 

 job." 



He strode forward across the clearing. 



"An' how long do you-all reckon yo're goin' 

 to hold down that job after yo' put a foot in that 

 door?" said a voice in a tone of malignant stern- 

 ness. 



The query struck Ned Thompson like a cold 

 douche. 



Both men turned, to see the menacing figure of 

 Bull Adam outlined against the bushes. His gun 

 was still resting idly in the crook of his arm, but 



