et, Charley," exclaimed Roger, in alarm. "You must
stay to supper."

"I never was so popular in my life," laughed Charley. "Of course I'll
stay. Let me have a look at the new well, Roger. Do you think it's going
to meet your demands?"

She crossed the camp to admire the new pump, Roger following.

"I don't think it will do more than supply engine and camp needs,"
replied Roger. "I don't know whether to go ahead, prospecting for water,
or to erect the plant first."

"Why don't you erect your plant, then if you don't find enough water
after drilling for it, with your engine, move up to the ranch and use
our spring. I'm not trying to graft something free. We'll be glad to pay
for it. But our old gasoline engine is an awful lemon and it's going to
be an awful job to keep up the supply of gasoline."

"Jove! My first customer? Charley, you're a peach!" exclaimed Roger. "I
suppose I might put my plant up on your place to begin with. But no,
this is the spot the Smithsonian picked, it's government land, and to
move now might make endless complications. But you'll have your pumping
plant, Charley, before any one else does. And we'll make the alfalfa
crops pay for it."

Charley nodded, then gasped, "Look, Roger! Oh, if Ernest and Dick could
only steal in now!"

The guest had pulled her rocker out before the tent flap and was seated
in it, eyes closed, hands clasped over her stomach, immovable except for
a light swaying of her chair.

"Concentrating, I suppose," muttered Roger. "Charley, I'll bet the old
bird will never leave me. I have the feeling."

"What on earth does she mean by concentrating?" gasped Charley, through
her laughter.

"Oh, it's some of that occult rot, I don't doubt," groaned Roger.
"Charley, stay till the fellows come. I'm frightened."

"On the contrary," laughed Charley, "I'm going to get us all an early
supper and put those burros to bed before dark."

She was as good as her word. The afterglow had not faded from the sky
when Roger returned to the camp, after helping Charley with her chores.
His guest had retired to her tent and Roger withdrew to his and threw
himself down on his cot to await the return of Dick and Ernest.

It was midnight when the teams rattled into camp. Roger hastened out at
once.

"We'll unhitch and leave both wagons here to unload in the morning,"
said Ernest.

Dick already was silently unchecking his horses, returning only a grunt
to Roger's greeting.

"I'll go wit