the river."

"For farms on which you're now using it, you mean?"

"I'm not saying where."

Bryant leaned forward and tapped the banker's desk with a finger-tip.

"Mr. Menocal, don't try to start any trouble with me," he said, with
jaw a little outthrust.

"_Dios!_ You dare talk that way to me?"

"I repeat it, don't attempt to keep something that doesn't belong to
you. You may want to--but don't try it. I know all about the water
appropriation for the ranch I've bought; all about your sworn
affidavit filed thirty years ago, with an accompanying map, certifying
that a canal was built and water delivered to the land. It's a matter
of record. Now you seek to reappropriate this water, or to have the
right cancelled, and see where you wind up. Thirty years ago men
winked at false affidavits, but it's different to-day."

The Mexican's white moustache drew up tight under his thick nose,
disclosing his teeth in a snarl.

"You threaten me--me!"

"I'm not threatening, only warning you. Or if you wish a still milder
word, let me say advising," Bryant rejoined.

The banker's eyes, however, continued to flash at the engineer, as if
alive in their sockets and hunting a mark to strike.

"You accuse me of dishonour!" he exclaimed. "I don't know why I should
pay attention to your charge, which is false. A ditch was built to the
ranch--"

"Mighty small one, then. No trace of it remains."

"One was built, one was built!"

"Very well, Mr. Menocal, grant that it was. It but strengthens my
position. But let us pass to recent times; five years ago you passed
title to Stevenson with the water right as a reality when you sold him
the ranch; your son is water inspector for this district, or was until
a year ago, anyway, making reports to the state. Did he say anything
in them about this canal or water right having ceased to exist? No."

"His reports were largely routine," the other stated, regaining his
composure.

"Still they were official. I'm simply pointing out to you, Mr.
Menocal, why it will be unwise for you to endeavour to have this water
appropriation cancelled. You sold it to Stevenson as a live right--the
deed proves that; and now that I have the property I shall make it
such in fact. You've been using the water for other land, which
possibly will suffer afterward, but that doesn't affect the case in
the least. That water is a valuable property; when it's delivered on
my ranch, the land will be worth fifty dollars