They knew what that promise meant, and it implied the opening of mines and mills, a market for all they could raise on the spot, and the quadrupling in value of every ranch.

Alton sat quietly imperturbable at the head of the table.
"And you believe the thing's going to be ?" said somebody.
"I think," said Alton quietly, "I have just told you so." There was another murmur, of strong and patient men's unexpressed exultation, and Seaforth noticed that they had accepted his comrade's statement, without further question, implicitly.

They were in some respects simple, and the complex life of the cities was unknown to most of them, but they had seen human nature stripped of its veneer in the bush and understood it well.

It was a delicate compliment they had paid Alton, and the little flush in his face showed that he realized it.
"It's great news," said somebody.
Alton nodded.

"Yes," he said.