right and dug the ditch in the first place; and he also secured a
right of way across these fields, sixty feet wide, by buying it from
whoever owned the ground at that time, and the right of way is
certified to the state. Now, I own Perro Creek ranch and the Perro
Creek canal and likewise the right of way. So you see, José, or
whatever your name is, we're standing on my ground and not yours; I
could even make you take down your fence where it crosses my right of
way."

The Mexican blinked stupidly.

"I was born here; my father was born here; my grandfather lived here,"
he said. "There have been little ditches, many of them, but never a
big canal in this field. You must get off."

"No; you're mistaken. Go see Mr. Menocal and he will set you right."

"I saw Charlie Menocal, who said to drive strangers off."

"Well, Charlie had best keep his fingers out of this dish, or he may
find it full of pepper, and you tell him so next time you talk with
him."

Bryant folded his map and restored it to his pocket, while the Mexican
went away to his house.

That day the engineer worked until darkness shut down. At three
o'clock next morning he routed his young assistant out of bed and by
dawn they were in the fields again. Knowing that the Menocals had set
about impeding and if possible altogether obstructing him, he proposed