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But the water is low at this season of the year, and it doesn't take much of a dam to block it off from me. This dam is made of boards, banked up with clay and stones." "Would it be easy to break away?" asked the engineer. "Yes, I suppose so. But Molick will take precious good care that it doesn't break away, They're strengthening it all the while."
"Well, there isn't as much as I thought there'd be," was the comment of the engineer, "but every little helps. We'll make a different section of this a year from now. If it wasn't for Molick standing out against the irrigation scheme we'd have the whole of Rolling River Valley in it," "Is there any way of forcing him?" asked Dave. "There may be, after he sees what he's missing."
"Finish the round-up, get rid of as many cattle as we can, provide for the rest so they'll have plenty of water in the dry spell, and then fight the Molick crowd," said Dave. "Plenty of room for action there," commented the engineer with a smile. "I guess so," assented Dave. "But we're depending on your help." "And I'll give it to the best of my ability.
"What?" asked his father. "He's been talking to them!" and Len pointed to Dave and the others from Bar U ranch across the stream. "Ha! So that's the game!" exclaimed Mr. Molick. "Well, I'll show you that two can play at it, Mr. Bellmore!" he sneered. "If you don't want to go into this scheme with me, after promising " "I never promised!" interrupted the other. "Well, it was the same thing.
Dave whirled his steed about and rode hard and straight for the nearest range where some of the Bar U men were guarding the cattle. Meanwhile Mr. Carson and the engineer crossed the stream below the dam, and rode toward the Centre O boys. "Well, what do you want?" surlily demanded the young heir of the house of Molick. "This is private land, and no trespassers are wanted. Get off!" he snarled.
"Oh, you never can tell what Molick will do," was the answer. "You mean he might try to be revenged on you for opening the dam?" asked Mr. Bellmore. "Something like that yes. It wouldn't be the first time if a barn or bunk house or a pile of fodder should go up in smoke. Such things have occurred here." "And was it never found out who did it?" "Well, we had our suspicions.
"We think we can get together on this irrigation project," the Chicago man went on. "Of course that is if we can deal with Molick," suggested the ranchman. "Oh, yes, it depends a great deal on Molick," Mr. Bellmore admitted. "I wish it didn't," Dave said. "Why, son?" asked Mr. Carson. Then Dave told his story, which was received with rather ominous shakes of the head on the part of Mr. Carson.
Molick," began the Chicago man in rather an embarrassed fashion, "but the truth of the matter is that I guess there won't be any papers to sign." "No papers to sign! What do you mean?" "I mean that the deal is off!" "The deal off? You mean the irrigation scheme you agreed to go into with me?" and Mr. Molick's voice rose. "Yes, that deal is off," went on the engineer.
"Well, I'm glad I warned you, for he'd have you all tangled up if you had gone in with him." "I guess you're right. But well get straightened out after a bit, I think." The Molick outfit was the only one that fought the irrigation project. All the other ranch owners in the vicinity recognizing the value of it to their places, entered into it.
"They know you were hurt; don't they?" asked Dave. "Oh, yes, but I'm practically well again." "What are your plans?" "I must see if I can get some concerted action in forming an irrigation company. I think I shall talk to Mr. Molick, even if his son and you are not on friendly terms." "Oh, don't let that stand in the way of business," Dave said, heartily.
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