ng its end when through a window Linder's eye caught
sight of a man on horseback rapidly approaching. "Visitors, Transley,"
he was able to say before the rider pulled up at the open door of the
covered wagon.

He was such a rider as may still be seen in those last depths of the
ranching country where wheels have not entirely crowded Romance off
of horseback. Spare and well-knit, his figure had a suggestion of
slightness which the scales would have belied. His face, keen and
clean-shaven, was brown as the August hills, and above it his broad hat
sat in the careless dignity affected by the gentlemen of the plains. His
leather coat afforded protection from the heat of day and from the cold
of night.

"Good evening, men," he said, courteously. "Don't let me disturb your
meal. Afterwards perhaps I can have a word with the boss."

"That's me," said Transley, rising.

"No, don't get up," the stranger protested, but Transley insisted that
he had finished, and, getting down from the wagon, led the way a little
distance from the eager ears of its occupants.

"My name is Grant," said the stranger; "Dennison Grant. I am employed by
Mr. Landson, who has a ranch down the valley. If I am not mistaken you
are Mr. Transley."

"You are not mistaken," Transley replied.

"And I am perhaps further correct," continued Grant, "in surmising that
you are here on behalf of the Y.D., and propose cutting hay in this
valley?"

"Your grasp of the situation does you credit." Transley's manner was
that of a man prepared to meet trouble somewhat more than half way.

"And I may further surmise," continued Grant, quite unruffled, "that
Y.D. neglected to give you one or two points of information bearing upon
the ownership of this land, which would doubtless have been of interest
to you?"

"Suppose you dismount," said Transley. "I like to look a man in the face
when I talk business to him."

"That's fair," returned Grant, swinging lightly from his horse. "I have
a preference that way myself." He advanced to within arm's length of
Transley and for a few moments the two men stood measuring each other.
It was steel boring steel; there was not a flicker of an eyelid.

"We may as well get to business, Grant," said Transley at length. "I
also can do some surmising. I surmise that you were sent here by Landson
to forbid me to cut hay in this valley. On what authority he acts I
neither know nor care. I take my orders from Y.D. Y.D. said cut the hay.