nfirmed him in his
course.

Angus maintained grim silence, repressing a strong desire to speak his
mind. He recognized that the boy was becoming increasingly impatient of
his authority, and desired to avoid a clash. As he let things go, Turkey
took more and more rope. Angus learned accidentally that he consorted
with a number of men older than himself, of whom Garland and Blake
French were leading spirits. He knew that this was no company for the
boy, but as reference to it would inevitably lead to unpleasantness, he
put it off. But Turkey's deliberate slacking of work, just when it was
most necessary, got on his nerves to an extent greater than he knew.

It was necessary to explain to Mr. Braden that he was unable to meet the
mortgage payments. To his relief, the mortgagee made no difficulty about
it. Indeed he was most genial.

"I heard you had been hit by the hail," he said. "Well, well, these
things will happen, and I am not a harsh creditor. I will carry you
along."

"That's very good of you," Angus acknowledged. "I am doing considerable
breaking, and next year, if I don't bump into more hard luck, I'll be
able to make a good payment."

Mr. Braden nodded. "Meanwhile there is something you can do for me. I am
selling a piece of land to young Chetwood--about five hundred acres--but
before closing the deal he wants your opinion of it."

Angus had not seen Chetwood for nearly a fortnight. He had not
introduced him to Mr. Braden, but it appeared that they had become
acquainted otherwise.

"Do I know the land?" he asked.

"I think so. It's about five miles from your ranch, on Canon Creek.
There is a little cleared, and an old shack, but otherwise it is mostly
unimproved. A splendid opportunity for an energetic young man to build
up an excellent ranch."

"Do you mean the old Tetreau place?" This was a piece of land long since
abandoned by a man of that name.

"Why--er--yes, I believe that is what it is called," Mr. Braden replied.
"It's good, level land--most of it. I am offering it at a very low
figure--all things considered--twenty dollars."

"And I particularly want this deal to go through," he concluded. "I
should not mind paying you a little commission, my boy--say five per
cent.

"I couldn't take a commission from you for valuing land for a buyer."

"Nonsense! Done every day. I might--er--stretch it a little. You are not
to worry about that note of yours and the mortgage money, my boy. One
good tur