He made mistakes, blunders, and when those were brought to his notice, took refuge in bluster.

He knew it to be bluster--knew that sooner or later his subordinates would recognise it as such.

How long could he maintain his position?
So only he could keep his grip upon the lever of control till the battle was over, all would be well.

If not, he would fall, and, once fallen, he knew that now, briber that he was, he would never rise again.
He was on his way at this moment to the city to consult with Lyman as to a certain issue of the contest between the Railroad and the ranchers, which, of late, had been brought to his notice.
When appeal had been taken to the Supreme Court by the League's Executive Committee, certain test cases had been chosen, which should represent all the lands in question.

Neither Magnus nor Annixter had so appealed, believing, of course, that their cases were covered by the test cases on trial at Washington.