Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-24
SYNOPSIS.

go on the road as a fireman and his
promotion had been spectacular.
While waiting for Marshall Richard
reads a report of the ravages of the
Colorado despite the efforts Of
Thomas Hardin of the Descent Recla-
nation Company. This Hardin had
been student under Rickard and
had married Gertny Holmes, with
whom Richard had fancied he was in
love
CHAPTER IL Mrshall tells Rick
ard the Overland Pacific has got to
step in to save the Imperial Vale
and sends him to the break. Richard
declines because he does not wan
10 supplant Hardin, but is won over.
stop the river; damn the expense
says Marshall.
CHAPTER Ill-Rickard Journeys to
Calexico. sees the irrigated desert and
learns much about Hardin and his
work
CHAPTER lV-At the hotel he
meets Mr. and Mrs Hardin and lines
Hardin llardins half sister, Di5ap-
pointed in her husband and an nicer
rigible coquette, Mrs, Hardin sets her
cap for her former lover and invites
him to dinner.
CHAPTER V.-Rickard visits the
company's offices and takes control.
He finds the engineers loyal to Har-
din and hostile to him, Estrada n
Mexican, son of the Father of the
Imperial Valley" tells him of the gen
eral situation.
CHAPTER VI--Rickard attends a
meeting Of the directors and asserts
his authority Hardin RACES. Estrada
tells Rickard Of his forebodings that
his work will fail Il can't see it
finished"
CHAPTER VII Inaca is discov.
cred in her ,nrdcn She tries Il lco :
UP al,rdin, who is furious again !
Richard
CHAPTER villa family luncheon
OF the Hardins which throws light on
them.
CHAPTER TX Hardin discover
that Richard is planning a leree to
protect Calexico and puts him down
as incompetent Gerry thinks her lord
jealous.
CHAPTER X-The Hardin dinner
to Richard discloacs further the fam
lily characteristics. Hardin is Surly
and sulty Times is hardly p-lito
Gerty plars progressive ride in
Richards honor.
CHAPTER XI-Rickard encounters
the INSTRUMENTATION OF the compo.y5
engineers. He is stirred by the In.
dians' statement That this Is the hun
uredth year of cycle, when the
Great Yellow Dragon, The Colorado,
grows restless He makes various
leXico leyee and is ordered by Mar,
shall to tale a Gsh;ing chance on
the completion OF lardins pet pro
1ect, a gate to shut the break i'll the
river.
CHAPTER Nil san Francisco is
destroyed by earthquake and fire. ana
dredgc machinery, which Richard had
ordered Hardin to have shipped. is
burned through hardin's neglect.
Richard secretly equips the big water
tower as a signal station.
CHAPTER MULBERRY Hardin de-
cides that Richard still loves her and
plans campaign Tat promises
trouble.
CHAPTER NIV.-Tho progressive
ride is begun under adverse condi-
tons -wind and dust with the guest
of honor absent. Then MacLean,
Richards secretary. brings word that
the river is raging and every man is
wanted on the leyce.
CHAPTER XV.-fIardin motors OFF
with load of dynamite. leaving
everything in confusion on the levee.
mnes, through a friendly engineer, is
sues orders in her brothers name, to
save her brothers face. The levee
and the signal tower save Calexico
I'LL Richards return.
CHAPTER XVG-Gcriy Hardin be
gins to get really interested in Rick, /
ard. The wind blows a gale and the
leve is in danger again.
CHAPTER Women as well
as men work on the leyee the second /
night. hines inds Richard and Gerty /
together and begins to suspect his sis
ter-fn.aw Her brntherss wrong
headedness and Richards evident eff /,
Fciency only servo to emhitter Innes !
against Richard
CHAPTER XVIII w. The river
washes away hat of Nexicali Calex- .
ico's Mexican twin city, but Calexico
still stands
CHAPTER XIX-A stormy public
meeting is held in which representa-,
tiyes OF the settlers, the Overland Pr.
ciic and Mexico clash. A telegram
from Richard that the river has
broken out again saves a big row and
forces united action by all.