to me, an' the sooner you boys pack up your duds an' git out the better
it will please me," and Captain Grady smiled maliciously at the blow his
news had brought to the boys.

Both Paul and Chet were much dismayed by the unexpected announcement
Captain Grady had made.

For the moment they stared at the speaker as if they had not heard
aright.

It was Paul who spoke first.

"You bought the ranch, and have the papers to prove it?" he gasped.

"That's just wot I said, boy."

"Your claim will not hold water," put in Chet, faintly.

"Well, I reckon it will," retorted Captain Grady. "I allow as how I know
wot I'm a-doin'."

"My father bought this ranch, and that settles it," said Paul. "We will
not give up our rights here just on what you say."

"Perhaps you had better look at his papers," suggested Noel Urner, who
had thus far remained silent.

"It won't be necessary for them to look at 'em," returned the captain,
doggedly. "I have 'em and that's enough. I ain't got to show my papers
no more than they hev got to show theirs."

"What shall we do?" whispered Paul to the young man from New York, as he
led him a little to one side.

"Stick to your resolve to stand up for your rights," was Noel's reply.
"Remember, possession is nine points of the law. He cannot dispossess
you unless he starts a lawsuit to recover the property he claims."

"I ain't a-goin' to wait for your Uncle Barnaby or Allen to return,"
went on Captain Grady, sullenly. "I want you to leave at once, bag and
baggage."

"Indeed," returned Paul, coldly.

"Yes, indeed. I've been kept out of this place long enough--seeing as
how the original owner gave me a half hold on it long before he died."

"What makes you so anxious for the place?" asked Noel Urner with sudden
interest.

"That's my business," growled the captain.

"Is there any concealed wealth upon it?"

"No, there ain't," exclaimed Captain Grady, almost so quick that it did
not sound natural.

"You seem to be awfully anxious----"

"I own the next ranch, that's why. I want to turn my cattle an' sech in
the two. Besides that, it ain't natural for a man to stand by an' see
others a-usin' of his things."

"You talk very positively, Captain Grady," said Paul. "But it will do
you no good. We shall not budge for the present."

"You won't?"

"Not a step. We claim this property and you will have to get the law to
put us out if we are to be put out."

"You young highflyers!" growled t