've gone over the plat--I brought a copy to show you fellows what we
can do. And by taking up our claims right, we keep a deadline from the
Bear Paws to the Flying U. Now the Old Man owns Denson's ranch, all
south uh here is fairly safe--unless they come in between his south line
and the breaks; and there ain't room for more than two or three claims
there. Maybe we can get some of the boys to grab what there is, and
string ourselves out north uh here too.

"That's the only way on earth we can save what little feed there is
left. This way, we get the land ourselves and hold it, so there don't
any outside stock come in on us. If Florence Grace Hallman and her bunch
lands any settlers here, they'll be between us and Dry Lake; and they're
dead welcome to squat on them dry pinnacles--so long as we keep their
stock from crossing our claims to get into the breaks. Savvy the burro?"

"Yes-s--but how'd yuh KNOW they're going to do all this? Mamma! I don't
want to turn dry-farmer if I don't have to!"

Andy's face clouded. "That's just what'll block the game, I'm afraid. I
don't want to, either. None of the boys'll want to. It'll mean going
up there and baching, six or seven months of the year, by our high
lonesomes. We'll have to fulfill the requirements, if we start
in--because them pilgrims'll be standing around like dogs at a picnic,
waiting for something to drop so they can grab it and run. It ain't
going to be any snap.

"And there's another thing bothers me, Weary. It's going to be one peach
of a job to make the boys believe it hard enough to make their entries
in time." Andy grinned wrily. "By gracious, this is where I could see a
gilt-edged reputation for telling the truth!"

"You could, all right," Weary agreed sympathetically. "It's going to
strain our swallowers to get all that down, and that's a fact. You ought
to have some proof, if you want the boys to grab it, Andy." His face
sobered. "Who is this Florence person? If you could get some kinda
proof--a letter, say..."

"Easiest thing in the world!" Andy brightened at the suggestion. "She's
stopping at the Park, in Great Falls, and she wanted me to come up or
write. Anybody going to town right away? I'll send that foxy dame a
letter that'll produce proof enough. You've helped ma a lot, Weary."

Weary scrutinized him sharply and puckered his lips into a doubtful
expression. "I wish I knew for a fact whether all this is straight
goods, Andy," he said pensively. "