The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-02-15

quest. One thing was certain. he
didn't know the least bit about horses.
It scared me the way he got in front
of Jose. thanked my stars I wasn't
up on Blanco Diable. Well, Dad. I'm
little ashamed now. but I was mad
slashed him across the face with my
quirt. Jose jumped and knocked Mr..
Chase into the sand. I didn't get the
horse under control till I was out of
sight of those surveyors. and then
let him run home"
"Nell. guess you punished the fel-
low enough. Maybe he's only con-
ceited softy. But don't like that sort
of thing. It isn't western"
"I'm sorry now. Dad. Perhaps the
fellow was hurt. But what could 1
do? Let's forget all abou. it. and I'll
be careful where I ride In the future.
Dad. what does 1t mean. this
surveying around Forlorn Riverr
II don't know. Nell," replied Beld-
ing, thoughtfully. 1T worries me. 1t
looks good for Forlorn River. but bad
for Dicks plan to irrigate the valley.
Lord, I'd hate to have some one fore
stall Dick on that!"
mo, no, we won't let anybody have
Dicks rights" declared Nell.
where have been keeping myself
, not to know about these surveyorsT
muttered Belding. "They must have
just come"
Belding discovered that he was, In
deed, the last man Of consequence in
Forlorn River to learn of the arrival
of Ben Chase and son, mine owners
and operators in Sonora. They, with
a force Of miners, had been besieged
by rebels and finally driven OF their
property. This property was not de-
stroyed, but held for ransom. And the
Chases, pending developments. had
packed outfits and struck for the bor-
der. Casita had been their objective
point, but, for some reason which
Belding did not learn. they had ar
rived instead at Forlorn River. 1t
had taken Ben Chase just one day to
see the possibilities of Altar valley,
and in three days he had men at work.
Bedding returned home without 60
ing to see the Chases and their oper-
ations He wanted to think over the
situation. Next morning he went out
| to the valley to see for himself. Mex
leans were hastily erecting adobe
houses upon Ladd's one hundred and
sixty acres, upon Dick Gales. upon
Jim Lash's and Thorne's. There were
men stalking the valley floor and the
river bed. That was sufficient for
Bedding. He turned back toward
| town and headed for the camp OF
these intruders.
He came to big tent with huge
| canvas fly stretched In front, under
| which sat several men In their shirt
| sleeves. They were talking and smok
ing.
my names Bedding. want to see
this Mr.. Chase" said Belding. grufily
Slow-witted as Belding was, and alb
sorbed in his own feelings. he yet saw
| plainly that his advent was disturbing
to these men. One of them, tall
| rugged man with sharp face and
shrewd eyes and white hair. got uI
and offered his hand.
I'm Chase, senior" he said. my
son Radford Chase is here somewhere
You're Bedding, the line inspector,
take 1t? l meant to call on you"
He seemed a rough-and- ready, loud
spoken man, withal cordial enough.
Yes, I'm the Inspector" replied
Belding, ignoring the profrered hand,
land I'd like to know what In the
hi you mean by taking up land
claims-staked ground that belongs
to my rangersT'
Land claimsr' slowly echoed
Chase, studying his man. Were tax
ing up only unclaimed land"
That's lie. You couldn't miss the
stakes"
"Well, Mr.. Belding, as to that,
think my men did run across some
staked ground. But we recognize
only squatters. If your rangers thinl,
they've got property just because they
| drove a few stakes in the ground
they're much mistaken. A squatteI
has to build house and live on his
land so long. according to law, before
he owns it,
This argument was sunanswerable
and Bedding knew it.
According to law!" exclaimed
Belding. "Then you own up; you've
jumped our claims"
"Mr. Bedding. I'm plain business
man. come along. see good
opening. Nobody seems to have ten
able grants. stake out claims, locate
squatters, start to build. 1t seems to
me your rangers have overlooked Ger.
tain precautions. That's unfortunate
Cor them. I'm prepared to hold, my
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