Take thousands of men who want to earn an honest dollar, but
not honestly. All the gamblers, outlaws, robbers, murderers,
criminals, adventurers in the States, and perhaps many from abroad,
will be on the trail. Think, man, of the money--the gold! Millions
spilled out in these wilds! ... And last and worst--the bad women!"
Slingerland showed his amazement at the pictures drawn by Neale,
especially at the final one.
"Wal, I reckon thet's all guff too," he said. "A lot of bad women
out in these wilds ain't to be feared. Supposin' thar was a lot of
them which ain't likely--how'd they ever git out to the camps?"
"Slingerland, the trains--the trains will follow the laying of the
rails!"
"Oho! An' you mean thar'll be towns grow up overnightall full of bad
people who ain't workin' on the railroad, but jest followin' the
gold?"
"Exactly. Now listen. Remember all these mixed gangs--the gold--and
the bad women--out here in the wild country--no law--no restraint--
no fear, except of death--drinking-hells--gambling-hells--dancing-
hells! What's going to happen?"
The trapper meditated a while, stroking his beard, and then he said:
"Wal, thar ain't enough gold to build thet railroad--an' if thar was
it couldn't never be done!"
"Ah!" cried Neale, raising his head sharply.
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