Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-06-03
CHAPTER Xxx.
Attic River.


ON and Dicksie had left it, deserted.
Puss told them every one was at the
river. McCloud did not approve Dick
sizes plan Of going down to see her
cousin nrst. 'Why not let me ride
down and manage it without bringing
you into 1t at all?" he suggested. at
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 OF the ranch.
McCloud greeted Dunning, regard
less Of his amazement, as IL he had
parted from him the day before. "How
are you making It over here?" he
asked. I'VE are IN pretty good shape
ut the moment down below, and I
thought would ride over to see IL 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 astonishment.
This isnx water. McCloud; this is
hell" He took OF his hat and wiped
his forehead. well, call this white,
anyway, aud 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
to surprise but to please Whispering
Smith.
"Some OF my men were free,c con-
tinued McCloud: II switched some
mattresses and sacks around the Y,
thinking they might come in play here
for you at the bend. They are at your
service II you think you need them"
NEED them!" Lance swore fiercely
and from the bottom Of his heart. He
was glad to get help from any quar-
ter and made no bones about It. More
over, McClpud 1esseued the embarrass-
ment BY explaining that he had per-
sonai interest In holding the channel
where Il ran, lest q change above
might threaten the approaches already
built to the bridges; and Whispering
Smith, who would have been on terms
with the catfish II 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 on his hat and
/. wiped the sweat Of anxiety from his
dripping forehead. Whatever differ
ences Of opinion / may have with
your company, I have no lack OF
esteem personally, McCloud, for you,
Sir. by heaveni 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, II have no
lack Of esteem personally, Mr.. Dun.
ming, for you. I brought 100"
do you want to take charge here?
I'm frank, sir; you understand this
game and 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 1t. Come
over here and look at our work and
Judge for yourself."
i They rode to where the forces as.
ssmbled by Lance were throwing up
Establishments and riprapping. There
was hurried running to and fro, a VIC.
lent dragging about Of willows, and a
good deal Of shouting.
Dunning, with some excitement,
watched 'McCloud's face to note the
eject OF the~acttyity on him, but Nc.
Clouds expression, naturally reserved.
reflected npthinetof his views on the
subject. Dunningswaved his hand at
the lively scene. They've been at It
all night How many would you take
awayssir!-
"You might take them all away, as
far a. ths.rivet is concerned" said
McCloud. after a moment.
What! Helli AIT"
sTheysare not doing anything, are
they. but running around in a circle?
And,those fellows over there might as
well be making mud pies as riprap-
ping 1t that point. What we need
there Is q mattress and sahdbags--
and plenty Of them. Bill" directed
NcCloud 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 II you will put your
mon on horses. Mr.. Cunning, they can
help like everything. That bank
won't last great while the way the
river IL getting under 1t now" Dan
cinSswhssfed' like an elephant on his
bronco and clattered away through the
mud. Lance Dunning, recovering from
his surprise. started his men back for
the wagons. and McCloud. dismount-
Ing. walked with him to the waters
edge 70 plan the fight for what was
lett Of the strip In front Of the alfalfa
fields.
When Whispering Smith got back
% the house he was In good humor.
He Joined Dicksie and Marion In the
dining room. whare they were drink
ing coffee. Afterward Dickste ordered
horses saddled and the three rode to
the river. Up and down the bank ss
Tar - they could see In the misty
rain. men were moving slowly about
more men, Il seemed to Dsctxie,
than she, had ever seen together In