they graded these lands of theirs."

The question in issue in Genslinger's remark was of the most vital
interest to the ranchers around Bonneville and Guadalajara. Neither
Magnus Derrick, Broderson, Annixter, nor Osterman actually owned all
the ranches which they worked. As yet, the vast majority of these wheat
lands were the property of the P. and S. W. The explanation of this
condition of affairs went back to the early history of the Pacific and
Southwestern, when, as a bonus for the construction of the road, the
national government had granted to the company the odd numbered sections
of land on either side of the proposed line of route for a distance of
twenty miles. Indisputably, these sections belonged to the P. and S. W.
The even-numbered sections being government property could be and had
been taken up by the ranchers, but the railroad sections, or, as they
were called, the "alternate sections," would have to be purchased direct
from the railroad itself.

But this had not prevented the farmers from "coming in" upon that part
of the San Joaquin. Long before this the railroad had thrown open these
lands, and, by means of circulars, distributed broadcast throughout the
State, had expressly invited settlement thereon. At that time patents
had not been issued to the railroad for their odd-numbered sections, but
as soon as the land was patented the railroad would grade it in value
and offer it for sale, the first occupants having the first chance of
purchase. The price of these lands was to be fixed by the price the
government put upon its own adjoining lands--about two dollars and a
half per acre.

With cultivation and improvement the ranches must inevitably appreciate
in value. There was every chance to make fortunes. When the railroad
lands about Bonneville had been thrown open, there had been almost a
rush in the matter of settlement, and Broderson, Annixter, Derrick, and
Osterman, being foremost with their claims, had secured the pick of the
country. But the land once settled upon, the P. and S. W. seemed to be
in no hurry as to fixing exactly the value of its sections included in
the various ranches and offering them for sale. The matter dragged along
from year to year, was forgotten for months together, being only brought
to mind on such occasions as this, when the rumour spread that the
General Office was about to take definite action in the affair.

"As soon as the railroad wants to talk business with me,"