k of ditches. The floods are impounded at Engle Dam, and
held there for man's uses. A great irrigation canal keeps high and
wide, with just fall enough to move the water; each foot saved of high
level means added miles of reclaimed land under the ditch. To a
stranger's eye the water of that ditch runs clearly uphill. To hold
that high level the main ditch, which is first taken out to serve the
west side, crosses the Rio Grande on a high flume to Derry; curves
high and winding about the wide farm lands of Garfield valley; is
siphoned under the river for Hatch and Rodey, and then is siphoned
once again to the east side, to break out in the sunlight for the use
of Rincon Valley. Rough and crooked is made smooth and straight; safe
bridge and easy grade, a modern highway follows up the valley, with a
brave firefly twinkling by night, to join the great National Trail at
Engle Dam. This is what they dreamed amid sand and thorn--and their
dreams have all come true. Now who can say which was better, the
hoping or the having?

It was pleasant enough, at least, on this day of hoping. Stargazer
shuffled by farm and farm, and turned aside at last to where, with ax
and pick and team and tackle, a big man was grubbing up mesquite
roots. Unheeded, for the big man wrought sturdily, Charlie rode close;
elbow on saddlehorn, chin on hand, he watched the work with mingled
interest and pity.

"There," he said, and shuddered--"there, but for the grace of God,
goes Charlie See!"

The big man straightened up and held a hand to his aching back. His
face was brown and his hair was red, his eyes were big and blue and
merry, and his big, homely, honest mouth was one broad grin.

"Why, if it ain't Nubbins! Welcome, little stranger! Hunting saddle
horses--again?"

"Why, no, Big Boy--I'm not. Not this time."

Big Boy rubbed the bridge of his nose, disconcerted. "You always was
before. Not horses? Well, well! What say we go a-visitin', then?" He
squinted at the low sun. "I'll call this a day, and we'll mosey right
home to my little old shack, and wolf down a few eggs and such. Then
we'll wash our hands and faces right good, catch us up some fresh
horses out of the pasture, and terrapin up the road a stretch. Bully
big moonlight night." He began unhooking his team.

"Fine! I just love to ride. Only came about fifty miles to-day, too."

"I was thinkin' some of droppin' in on old man Fenderson. I ain't been
over there since last night. Coalie! Y