Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-31
SYNOPSIS.


enigma to the Office force; he wears
dude" clothes, but he had resigned
a chair of engineering in the east to
70 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 Rocla.
nation Company This Hardin had
been a student under Rckard and
had married Gertny Holmes, with
when Richard had fancied he was in
love
CHAPTER II-aMrshall 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
TO supplant Hardin, but is won over.
stop the river; damn the expense
says Marshall.
CHAPTER III--Rickard journeys to
Calexco, sees the irrigated desert and
learns much about Hardin and his
work
CHAPTER IV-At the hotel he
meets Mr. and Mrs. Hardin and lnncs
Hardin, Hardin's half sister. Disap-
pointed in her husband and an incCr-
rigible coquette, Mrs Hardin sets her
cap for her former lover and invites
him to dinner.
CHAPTER V--Rickard visits the
companys Offices and takes control.
He finds the engineers loyal to Har-
din and hostile to him. Estrada, a
Mexican son OF the Father Of the
Imperial Valley" tells him OF the gen
eral situation.
CHAPTER VT.-Rickard attends
meeting of the directors and asserts
his authority. Hardin RACES. Estrada
tells Richard of his forebodings that
his work will fail. Il can't see 1t
finished"
CHAPTER VII Innes is discoy.
cred in her earden. She tries to cheer
up aHrdin, who Is furious asains-
Richard.
CHAPTER villa family luncheon
OF the IIardins which throws light or
them.
CHAPTER IX.-TIardin discovers
that Richard is planning a leyee to
protect CaleXico and puts him down
as incompetent. Gerty thinks her lord
Jealous.
CHAPTER X,-The Hardin dinner
to Richard discloses further the fam
fly characteristics. Hardin is surly
and sulky. lines is hardly polite.
Gerty plans a progressive ride in
Richards honor
CHAPTER XI--Rckard encounters
the INSTRUMENTATION Of the company
engineers. He is stirred by the In
dams statement that this Is the nun
oredth year OF cycle, when the
Great Yellow Dragon, the Colorado,
grows restless. He makes various
preparations, pushes work on the Ca
lexico levee and is ordered by Mar
shall to take a fighting chance on
the completion of Hardin's pet pro-
JeCl, gaze " ahuI th0 pic"h III thS
river.
CHAPTER XII.-tSan Francisco is
destroyed by earthquake and fire, and
dredge machinery, which Richard had
ordered Hardin to have shipped, is
burned through Hardin'g neglect
Richard secretly equips the big water
lower as a signal station.
CHAPTER XlII.-Gerty Hardin de-
cides that Richard still loves her and
plans campaign that promises
trouble.
CHAPTER XlV,-The progressive
ride is begun under adverse condi-
t:ons--wind and dust, with the guest
of honor absent. Then MacIean,
Richards secretary, brings word that
the river is raging and every man is
wanted on the leyee.
CHAPTER XV.--Hardin motors off
with a load of dynamite, leaving
everything in confusion on the levee
Innes, through friendly engineer, is
sues orders in her brothers name, to
save her brothers face. The levee
and the signal tower save Calexico
till Richards return.
CHAPTER XVI-Gerty Hardin be-
gins to get really interested in Rick
ard. The wind blows gale and the
leve is in danger again.
CHAPTER XVII.-Women as we'll
as men work on the levee the second
night lines finds Rickard and Gerty
together and begins to suspect his sis
ter-in,law Her brothers's wrong
headedness and Richards evident eff
fciency only serve to embitter lnnes
against Richard.
CHAPTER XVIII. - The river
washes away half Of Mexicali, Calex-
ico's Mexican twin city, but Calexico
still stands.
CHAPTER XIX.-A stormy public
meeting is held in which representa-
tives Of the settlers the Overland Pa.
cific and Mexico clash. A telegram
from Richard that the river has
broken out again saves big row and
forces united action by all.