The Nevada County picayune., 1923-03-01

began, T was coming nome, ana III front of that mescal drinking place there was q crowd. It was a noisy crowd I didn't want to walk out into the street or seem afraid. But l had to dc both. There were several young men. and If they weren't drunk they certainly were rude. I never saw them before, but I think they must belong to the mining company that was run out of Sonora by rebels. Any way, these young fellows were Amer jeans They stretched themselves across the walk and smiled at me. had to go out in the road. One of them. the rudest, followed me. He was a big fellow. red-faced, with prom inent eyes and q bold look. He came up beside me and spoke to me. I ran ] home. And as I ran heard his co1h- panions jeering.
 "Well, today, just now, when l was riding up the valley road came upon the same fellows. They had instru- ments and were surveying. Remem- bering Dick, and how he always wished for an instrument to help work out his plan for irrigation, l was cer- tainly surprised to see these strangers suryeying-and surveying upon Lad dys plot of land. It was a sandy road there, and Jose happened to be walking. Sc I refined in and asked these engineers what they were do- ing. The leader, who was that same l bold fellow who had followed me, seemed much pleased at being ad- l dressed He said he was glad to tell me he was going to run water all over l Altar valley. Dad, you can bet that made me wild. That was Dicks plan, l his discovery, and here were surveyors on Laddy's claim.
 Then told him that he was work 1 ing on private land and he'd better get off. He said something about not seeing any squatters on the land, and then he shut up tight on that score. l But he began to be flirty again. He got hold of loses bridle, and before I could catch my breath he said was a peach. that he wanted to make a date with me, tbat his name was Chase that he owned a gold mine in 1 Mexico He said a lot more I didn't gather but when he called me Dearle' well lost my temper.
 "I ierked on the bridle and told him to let go He held on and rolled his eyes at me He seemed sure of con l quest one thing was certain, he l didn't know the least bit about horses. II scared me the way he got in front of Jose thanked my stars l wasn't up on Blanco Diable Well, Dad, I'm a little ashamed now. but I was mad. I slashed him across the face with my quirt Jose jumped and knocked MT. 1 Chase into the sand. didn't get the horse under control till was out of sight of those surveyors. and then I let him run home"
 Nell. l guess you punished the fel- low enough Maybe he's only a con. eeited softly But I don't like that sort of thing II isn't western"
 'T'm sorry now, Dad Perhaps the fellow was hurt But what could I do? Let's forget all about 1t. and I'll be careful where I ride in the future.
 Dad, what does it mean. this surveying around Forlorn Rlver?'
 II don't know, Nell" replied Beld. ing. thoughtfully. Tt worries me. II looks good fer Forlorn River. but bad for Dicks plan to irrigate the valley. Lord, I'd hate to have some one fore stall Dick on that !"
 No, no, we won't let anybody have Dicks rights" declared Nell.
 "Where have l been keeping myself not to know about these suryeyorsT muttered Bedding "They must have just come"
 Bedding 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 n force of miners. had been besieged | by rebels and finally driven off their | property This property was not de- stroyed, but held for ransom. And the Glasses, pending developments, had packed outfits and struck for the bor | der. Casita had been their objective | point. but, for some reason which Bedding did not learn. they had ar- lived instead at Forlorn River It | 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 go-