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"Well, they're at it, I see," remarked Dave, as the little party topped a rise and saw, down in the river valley below them, a number of men erecting fence posts and stringing barbed wire. "Yes, he doesn't lose any time, that's one thing I'll say for Jason Molick," answered the ranch owner. Indeed Molick's forces were very active.
"But you've got t' remember, Dave, that there's a point of land belongin' t' Centre O ranch that comes up there along the Forked Branch trail. It may be some of Molick's strays." "That's so. I didn't think of that, Pete. There's more to this business than appears at first sight." "Yes, Dave; but you're comin' on first-rate.
And I don't believe lightning set it. I'd like to know how it started." "So would I," said Dave, "and I think I'll investigate." "How? Where?" asked the cattleman. "Why, I'll go over there where the fire started. I may be able to learn something." "Better take one of the boys with you," Mr. Carson cautioned him. "That's in the direction of Molick's ranch, and they may be in a bad humor.
But now I'll bid you good day." "And don't you trespass on Centre O ranch again!" was Mr. Molick's warning. "I've seen enough of you." Mr. Bellmore felt the same way about it, but did not think it necessary to say so. He rode slowly back across the stream and rejoined his friends. "Well?" asked Dave. "It's all off," the Chicago man said.
"I was on my way to Mr. Molick's place, when I got off the trail to look after that rock formation resumed Mr. Bellmore after a pause." Rocks always interest me, for I am always looking to see what the possibilities are for striking a supply of water." "Why water?" asked Dave. "Because I am an irrigation engineer," was the reply. "That is my business.
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.
Molick's land, to have a public right-of- way over it, especially so near the water. It might spoil our legal title. So I told him to fence it in before we did any business." "Then you haven't done any business yet?" "Not actually closed it, no. I am about to, and then I hope to do some business with you." Mr. Bellmore smiled frankly, but Mr.
"Then I know some one who will buy." "Who?" "I will! Dave, I've been thinking for a long time of going into the cattle business. I think it will pay better than water engineering. I've been hoping for a chance to get a good ranch, and now that Molick's is on the market, I'm going to take it" "Good!" cried Mr. Carson. "I'll have decent neighbors all around me then. And if you want any money, Mr.
"I can see two three why, there are half a dozen cattle up there Pete." "Yes, an' probably more. I reckon some of th' Centre O outfit has strayed, same as ours. That's probably one of Molick's men after his brand," Pete went on. "Maybe that's Len," suggested Dave, naming the son of the adjoining ranch owner. "It may be. I'd just as soon it wouldn't be, though.
"But we can't do that," objected Mr. Carson. "It's on Molick's land, and if we go there, and start something, he'll fight us. He is a desperate man." "And so ought you to be with your cattle dying of thirst," said Mr. Bellmore. "I am, but " "There aren't any buts about it," declared the other." This is a desperate situation, and we'll have to meet it desperately.
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