e as great
obstacles every day; it was the measure of their genius and will.
Engineers elsewhere crushed a way through earth and rock to their
goals, and under adverse circumstances, with no thought of failure.
Were there not men who would unhesitatingly take hold of this project
now and complete it in the time allotted? Yes, any number. For the
very same reason that he had launched the scheme. Because they had the
ability, because they had the will, because, most of all, they had
faith--faith in their own powers.

Lee went back to Pat Carrigan.

"We shall build it," said he. "And in ninety days."

The contractor rose.

"You talk like a real 'chief' now, Bryant," he replied. "I was waiting
for that. Come along; we'll start burning the wires."

CHAPTER XV

Louise Graham, entering the dining car for breakfast, received a
surprise at beholding Lee Bryant half way along the aisle at one of
the smaller tables. He laid down the spoon with which he was delving
into a half of a cantaloupe and got quickly to his feet to greet her.

"So you're home again," he said, after shaking hands. "Your father
told me when I met him that you were in the East. Will you share my
table?"

"I use 'shopping' as a pretext for a jaunt now and then," she laughed,
when they were seated. "Once in a while the lure of city dissipations
seizes me; I had a week in Washington and three in New York with
friends, which will satisfy me for a few months. You were just
starting work on your project when I went away. Are you making good
progress?"

"Very. But I'll make still better from now on. It's a case with me of
do or be 'done', of dig out or be buried. I may as well be open about
it, for everyone will know presently, anyway. The project must be
completed in ninety days."

"Ninety days? Great heavens!"

"That's what I said, too," Lee stated, with a smile. "Several times,
in fact. There is an old law, it seems, that enables interested
parties to hold a stop-watch on me."

"And what's the penalty if you fail to finish the work in those three
months?"

"Cancellation of my water right."

"Cancellation? Surely not."

"I tried to convince the Land and Water Board of that in Santa Fe, but
made no headway."

"How outrageous!" she exclaimed.

The waiter at her elbow recalled her to the requirements of the
moment. Still with a trace of colour in her cheeks, the result of her
indignation, she scanned the menu and wrote out her order.