ot disappointed.

At the top of a draw some hundred and fifty yards from the cabin Rufus
suddenly halted.

"I felt somethin'," he said, hopefully.

"Where?" Wallie asked, interested.

"In my arm--like pins and needles--it's a symptom. She's goin' to bob!"
Excitedly. "You watch and count along of me."

The willow bobbed unmistakably.

"Sixty-eight!" They finished together.

"I told you!" Rufus cried, triumphantly. He stamped his foot: "Right
here is where you'll strike it." His tone was as positive as if he saw
it flowing beneath the surface.

Impressed in spite of himself, Wallie endeavoured to be conservative.

"Could it have been your subconscious mind?" he asked, doubtfully.

"I ain't any. Rufus Reed is right out in the open. I'll stake my
reputation there's plenty of water if you'll go after it."

"It's rather far from the house for convenience," he objected.

"Water in Wyoming is like whiskey, you have to take it where you can get
it and not be particular."

It was a temptation, and the cost at three dollars a foot was not
excessive. Wallie pondered it and said finally:

"You will agree in writing to dig without remuneration until you get
water if you do not strike it at sixty-eight feet?"

"An iron-clad contract will suit yours truly," Mr. Reed declared,
emphatically. He added: "I'll bring two men to work the h'ist and empty
the bucket. Of course you'd aim to board us?"

"Why, yes, I can," Wallie said a little uncertainly. He had not thought
of that feature, but he realized it would be necessary.

He had figured that with strict economy he had provisions enough to last
him well toward summer. Three men eating three meals daily might make
some difference in his calculations, but nothing serious probably.

So the contract was drawn up and signed and Rufus departed, eminently
satisfied, as was Wallie, who was so eager to see his well started that
he could hardly wait until the following Monday.

In the interim he dreamed of his well of cold, pure water, and every
time he made use of his "toe-holts" he told himself that that
inconvenience would soon be eliminated. He meant to have a windmill as
soon as he could afford it, for whatever else the country might lack
there was no dearth of wind for motive power.

There was something permanent-looking about a well and he chuckled as he
speculated as to what Canby would say when he heard of it, and he wished
with all his heart that he might be around