intention," his father answered. "We've got to be ready to
fight these sheep herders who, I feel sure, will pour in here. They
have been waiting to get possession of some range near the water, and
this is their chance. But they shan't ruin my feeding ground. I've
got too much money invested in it to lose it."

"And though we're farther off, in Happy Valley, we might be harmed by
sheep, too," said Nort. "So we've got to fight also!"

"That's right!" chimed in his brother.

I have indicated to you, briefly, why the cattle men so hated the sheep
herders. Sheep are innocent enough in themselves, and are much needed.
Without them a large part of the world would go hungry and only partly
clothed.

"But let the sheep herders stick to their own pastures!" was the cry of
the cattle men and the horse breeders. "Don't let them foul our
streams and cut up our grass."

As I told you, no western horse or cow, unless under dire need, will
drink from a stream where sheep have drunk, or through which sheep have
passed. And there is no grass left, once a herd of sheep have fed over
a tract, while for years afterward there is only a stunted growth of
green, if, indeed, any.

So it is no wonder that those at Diamond X prepared to fight the sheep
herders, and Spur Creek was the natural place at which to make a stand.

Situated as it was near the Mexican border, the ranch of Diamond X was
near the head of a great valley--a natural pass between the two
countries. Through this pass flowed Spur Creek, branching out into one
or more streams in different places.

You probably know that to successfully raise cattle, horses or sheep
two things are needed--food and water. Food is supplied by the various
rich grasses that grow naturally on the western plains. Water is not
so plentiful in that sometimes arid region, and for that reason is
jealously guarded. A ranch with a natural water supply is worth ten
times what one is without fluid for the cattle to drink. Driving herds
long distances to quench their thirst runs off their fat, and as cattle
are now sold by the pound, instead of by the piece, as formerly was the
case, the heavier a steer is the more money he brings.

Spur Creek, then, was a valuable asset to Mr. Merkel, and he determined
to fight for it to the "last ditch," so to speak. This water was only
a part of the courses that were valuable to his ranch. As for the
boys, they had a water supply of their own in Happy