next March. You could then take possession. It's a good farm,
and with the money you'll have from the sale of your sheep you can
make a good start on the place, which is in the corn and wheat
section. My equity of three thousand isn't worth, to be sure, anything
like what you paid Menocal for this ranch, but it's something--and all
that I can afford to give."

The rancher stared at Lee as if he could not credit his ears.

"Are you in earnest?" he demanded, at last. "Why I've just told you
there's no water here. A man can't make a living on the place, and the
mortgage is due next week."

"I'll pay off the mortgage; I've enough money saved up to do that."

"But, man, without water----"

"Listen, Stevenson, I know exactly what I'm about," the engineer
interrupted. "This thing's a gamble with me, I admit, but you needn't
do any worrying on that score. I'm going in with my eyes open; I know
the risks and am willing to take them. What about my offer?"

Stevenson, still gazing at his visitor in wonderment, was at a loss;
he rubbed his knuckles doubtfully, hitched about on his chair and knit
his brows, perplexed, hesitating, as was his manner when presented
with any new affair, even with one palpably to his advantage. It was
clear that in this lack of quick decision lay much of the reason for
his failure.

His wife exclaimed in appeal, "Oh, John, if Mr. Bryant really means
it, why don't you say yes? I can't understand why he makes us such a
fine offer, but he is making it. We can start again; we'll be back in
a farming country like what we're used to, even if it isn't in
Illinois; we'll have a farm of our own, a home of our own, and will
not have to rent. Oh, why don't you say yes?"

The rancher looked from his wife to Bryant and back again, pursing his
lips.

"But I don't understand this," he said.

"You heard what he explained," she replied, anxiously. "He expects to
pay off the mortgage and be rid of Mr. Menocal. Perhaps he knows the
sheep business better than you do; you never did learn it well, John,
and you ought never to have stopped farming. You were a good farmer;
you will be again. We can go on this place in Nebraska and raise corn
and wheat and hogs, and I'll have chickens to help clear the debt.
Why, it's a chance for us to be independent again, and have a home,
and neighbours, and attend church, and--and be happy, John!"

"That's so," her husband agreed.

"We are going to leave here anyway," she con