Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-09-22

By Hank H.SpearInaD
illustrations By AnbeBodes
Copyright 1909
By chass0dhwrsSOS@
CHAPTER Xxx.
At the River.
Copyright 1909
By choSSc1h,ersSOS@

On ana DlCkSl0 udu l0IC II, uSSOl IOO'
Puss told them every one was at the
river. McCloud did not approve Dick
sizes plan of going down to see her
cousin first 'Why not let me ride
down and manage it without bringing
you into it at all?" he suggested. 1T
can be DONE" And after further dis
cussion it was so arranged.
McCloud and Smith had been
Joined by Dancing on horseback, and
they made their way around Squaw
lake and across the fields. The fog
was rolling up from the willows at
the bend. Men were chopping in the
brush, and McCloud and his COM
panion soon met Lance Dunning rid
Ing up the narrow strip of sand that
held the river off the ranch.
McCloud greeted Dunning, regard
less of his amazement, as if he had
parted from him the day before. "How
are you making it over here?" he
asked. 1--WE are in pretty good shape
at the moment down below, and
thought would ride over to see If we
could do anything for you. This is
what you call pretty fair, water for
this part of the valley, isn't it?"
Lance swallowed his establishment.
This isn't water, McCloud; this is
hell" He took off his hat and wiped
MS forehead. well, l cali this white,
anyway, and no mistake-I do, indeed,
sir! This is Whispering Smith, isn't
It? Glad to see you at Crawling
Stone, sir" Which served not only
% surprise but to please Whispering
Smith.
Some of my men were free" con-
.inued McCloud; 81 switched some
mattresses and sacks around the Y,
thinking they might come in play here
;or you at the bend. They are at your
service if you think you need them"
Need themi" Lance swore fiercely
and from the bottom of his heart. He
was glad to get help from any quar-
:er and made no bones about it. More
over, McCloud lessened the embarrass-
nent by explaining that he had per-
sonal interest n holding the channel
where it ran, lest a change above
might threaten the approaches already
built to the bridge; and Whispering
Smith, who would have been on terms
with the catfish if he had been flung
into the middle of the Crawling Stone,
contributed at once, like a REINFORCED
spring, to the ease of the situation.
Lance again took off his hat and
wiped the sweat of anxiety from his
dripping forehead. Whatever differ
snces of opinion I may have with
your company, 1 have no lack Of
esteem personally, McCloud, for you,
sir, by heaven! How many men did
you bring?"
"And whatever wheels you Crawling
Stone ranchers may have in your
heads on the subject of irrigation" re-
turned McCloud, evenly, 81 have no
lack of esteem personally, Mr.. Dun
aing, for you. brought 100."
do you want to take charge here?
I'm frank, sir; you understand this
game and l don't"
Suppose we look the situation over;
meantime, all our supplies have to be
brought across from the Y. What
should you think, Mr.. Dunning, of put
ing all the teams you can at that end
Of the work."
! Every man that can be spared
from the river shall go at it. Come
over here and look at our work and
Judge for yourself"
They rode to where the forces as
sembled by Lance were throwing up
smbankmepts and riprapping. There
was hurried running to and fro, VIC
lent dragging about of willows, and q
good deal of shouting.
Dunning, with some excitement
watched McCloud's face to note the
effect OF the activity on him, but Nc
] Clouds expression, naturally reserved
reflected nothing of his views on the
subject. Dunning waved his hand al
the lively scene. They've been at II
all night. How many would you take
away, sir?"
''You might take them all away, as
] far as the river is concerned" said
McCloud, after a moment.
What? He'll! ALP"
"They are not doing anything, are
they, out running around in a circle;
And those fellows over there might as
we'll be making mud pies as riprap
ping at that point. What we need
there is a mattress and sandbags-
and plenty of them. Bill" directed
McCloud in an even tone of business
as he turned to Dancing, "see how
! quick you can get your gangs over
here with what sacks they can carry
and walk fast. If you will put your
men on horses, Mr.. Dunning, they car
help like everything. That bank
won't last a great while the way the
river is getting under it now" Dan
cling wheeled like an elephant on his
bronco and clattered away through the
mud. Lance Dunning, recovering from
his surprise, started his men back fol
the wagons, and McCloud, dismount