lanced toward the figure of the young bullying cowboy whom he

ked Dave slowly, as he guide

ve a letter to him, and I understand that he is one

. It was evident a m

er, Mr. Jason Molick you

"I heard you mention the name Molick and I didn't pay mu

n and hi

u know

y one around h

at the boy. "Is it possible that some error has been made on the part of those w

still his voice had no ring to it. "Mr. Molick

e. I am a stranger in these parts, and I have to depend on residents here for my i

say you haven't missed much by not knowing the Molicks-especially Len. I'm

t's too bad. If

to do business with you in the way you want. I am not speaking from the business en

he wasn't a person to be trusted,

going to find out about the sawed posts, though. But see

r of the man one is dealing with. I'm afraid though," he added as a spasm of pain crossed his face, "

ch," Dave remarked. "The

the manner in which he had come to help the injured man, and it was stranger still that the latter should

rock formation," resumed Mr. Bellmore after a pause. "Rocks always interest me, for

er?" ask

cently formed, called the Rolling Valley Water Company. Our concern has acquired rights in the valley of the Rolling R

chemes had only to do w

armers need water, and we hope to develop some big farms

was saying only the other day, that he could

Bellmore. "Perhaps he already has some rights in the w

who sell us their rights, a certain control. Then we intend to build a big dam to conserve the water supply. As it is here

" Dave admitted.

r around. I certainly must talk with your father. Maybe, after all, it's a good thing I sprain

But, as a matter of fact, some of the rights he has in Rolling River are subject to some agreement with Mr. Molick. I know my fath

e can get together and form a company so he can ha

so," D

of the ranch buildings, which were g

lace!" exclaim

aying there, as he might have done had he been Mr. Carson's son. Even though the ranchman might love Dave as one of his own blood, when Mr. Car

sighed again as he looked at the group of buildings set down in a little valley, with Rolling River in the distance glistening in the slanting rays of the

man need not know his secret, though he might find it out soon eno

will," was

in from their day's labors, and were washing themselves at their bunk houses, in read

mells good!" excl

e horse that followed Dave. It needed but a glance from their

s just wondering where you we

hey got out of the corral, but Pocus Pete and I go

He was in the rock-grove, caught by the foot. I got him out. You look after him, Dad. I've got

ctly understand all that boy of mine has gotten off, but it's all right. We will look after you. Sprained ankle

thing to eat, Dave, won't

te, Dad. We hav

house, while Dave and two other cowboys, after a hasty meal, were o

e had been on guard a cattleman, passing, had

aid, as he and the other punchers began to work on the

tay and help you

at message," the foreman said, and once more D

that Dave could make out, after he had ridden some d

t he has to say, and why he's hanging around he

rward in a gallop, and i

pur on ahead, Dave had

ck worked?" asked Dave, wit

king to me?"

rtain

to talk to a nobod