price, they will also be protected in their improvements.'
And here," he commented, "in Section IX. it reads, 'The lands are not
uniform in price, but are offered at various figures from $2.50 upward
per acre. Usually land covered with tall timber is held at $5.00 per
acre, and that with pine at $10.00. Most is for sale at $2.50 and
$5.00."

"When you come to read that carefully," hazarded old Broderson,
"it--it's not so VERY REASSURING. 'MOST is for sale at two-fifty an
acre,' it says. That don't mean 'ALL,' that only means SOME. I wish now
that I had secured a more iron-clad agreement from the P. and S. W. when
I took up its sections on my ranch, and--and Genslinger is in a position
to know the intentions of the railroad. At least, he--he--he is in TOUCH
with them. All newspaper men are. Those, I mean, who are subsidised by
the General Office. But, perhaps, Genslinger isn't subsidised, I don't
know. I--I am not sure. Maybe--perhaps"

"Oh, you don't know and you do know, and maybe and perhaps, and you're
not so sure," vociferated Annixter. "How about ignoring the value of our
improvements? Nothing hazy about THAT statement, I guess. It says in so
many words that any improvements we make will not be considered when the
land is appraised and that's the same thing, isn't it? The unimproved
land is worth two-fifty an acre; only timber land is worth more and
there's none too much timber about here."

"Well, one thing at a time," said Harran. "The thing for us now is to
get into this primary election and the convention and see if we can push
our men for Railroad Commissioners."

"Right," declared Annixter. He rose, stretching his arms above his head.
"I've about talked all the wind out of me," he said. "Think I'll be
moving along. It's pretty near midnight."

But when Magnus's guests turned their attention to the matter of
returning to their different ranches, they abruptly realised that the
downpour had doubled and trebled in its volume since earlier in the
evening. The fields and roads were veritable seas of viscid mud, the
night absolutely black-dark; assuredly not a night in which to venture
out. Magnus insisted that the three ranchers should put up at Los
Muertos. Osterman accepted at once, Annixter, after an interminable
discussion, allowed himself to be persuaded, in the end accepting as
though granting a favour. Broderson protested that his wife, who was not
well, would expect him to return that night and would