or an instrument to help
work out his plan for irrigation, I was certainly surprised to see
these strangers surveying--and surveying upon Laddy's plot of land. It
was a sandy road there, and Jose happened to be walking. So I reined in
and asked these engineers what they were doing. The leader, who was
that same bold fellow who had followed me, seemed much pleased at being
addressed. He was swaggering--too friendly; not my idea of a gentleman
at all. He said he was glad to tell me he was going to run water all
over Altar Valley. Dad, you can bet that made me wild. That was
Dick's plan, his discovery, and here were surveyors on Laddy's claim.

"Then I told him that he was working on private land and he'd better
get off. He seemed to forget his flirty proclivities in amazement.
Then he looked cunning. I read his mind. It was news to him that all
the land along the valley had been taken up.

"He said something about not seeing any squatters on the land, and then
he shut up tight on that score. But he began to be flirty again. He
got hold of Jose's bridle, and before I could catch my breath he said I
was a peach, and that he wanted to make a date with me, that his name
was Chase, that he owned a gold mine in Mexico. He said a lot more I
didn't gather, but when he called me 'Dearie' I--well, I lost my temper.

"I jerked on the bridle and told him to let go. He held on and rolled
his eyes at me. I dare say he imagined he was a gentlemen to be
infatuated with. He seemed sure of conquest. One thing certain, he
didn't know the least bit about horses. It scared me the way he got in
front of Jose. I thanked my stars I wasn't up on Blanco Diablo. Well,
Dad, I'm a little ashamed now, but I was mad. I slashed him across the
face with my quirt. Jose jumped and knocked Mr. Chase into the sand.
I didn't get the horse under control till I was out of sight of those
surveyors, and then I let him run home."

"Nell, I guess you punished the fellow enough. Maybe he's only a
conceited softy. But I don't like that sort of thing. It isn't
Western. I guess he won't be so smart next time. Any fellow would
remember being hit by Blanco Jose. If you'd been up on Diablo we'd
have to bury Mr. Chase."

"Thank goodness I wasn't! I'm sorry now, Dad. Perhaps the fellow was
hurt. But what could I do? Let's forget all about it, and I'll be
careful where I ride in the future.... Dad, what does it mean, this
surveying around F