"
"I never bluff, Bill. Remember, if I pull out for the San Hedrin,
I'll not abandon my logging-camps there to come back and log your
timber. One expensive move is enough for me. Better take a dollar,
Bill. It's a good, fair price, as the market on redwood timber is
now, and you'll be making an even hundred per cent, on your
investment. Remember, Bill, if I don't buy your timber, you'll never
log it yourself and neither will anybody else. You'll be stuck with
it for the next forty years--and taxes aren't getting any lower.
Besides, there's a good deal of pine and fir in there, and you know
what a forest fire will do to that."
"I'll hang on a little longer, I think."
"I think so, too," John Cardigan replied. And that night, as was his
wont, even though he realized that it was not possible for Bryce to
gain a profound understanding of the business problems to which he
was heir, John Cardigan discussed the Squaw Creek timber with his
son, relating to him the details of his conversation with the owner.
"I suppose he thinks you're bluffing," Bryce commented.
"I'm not, Bryce. I never bluff--that is, I never permit a bluff of
mine to be called, and don't you ever do it, either. Remember that,
boy. Any time you deliver a verdict, be sure you're in such a
position you won't have to reverse yourself.
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