his father agreed.

Charlie recurred to the matter of the Stevenson ranch.

"What's this fellow's name who bought out Stevenson?"

"Lee Bryant. A young man. And I don't like him; I'm afraid he's a
trouble-maker. You should remember him, Charlie, for he's the fellow
who filled the radiator of the car at the ford on Perro Creek and who
threw your money back in your face."

Young Menocal's thin figure stiffened, while his small black moustache
rose in two points of ire.

"Him! That scoundrel who insulted me before Louise! That
lamb-stealer!" he shrilled.

"That is the man," his father affirmed.

Charlie spat forth a string of Spanish curses. When he had recovered
from his outburst of passion, he said:

"Well, I'm glad he's the man. He'll pay for that. Louise said nothing,
but she heard him. And now he's trying to steal our water, too! I'd
like to tie him down on a cactus-bed and run a band of sheep over
him."

"Charlie, Charlie, control yourself. Don't exhaust your strength by
being angry; it's bad for you in this heat; sunstrokes are sometimes
brought on that way. Besides, such talk as you uttered is foolish and