Part 17 (1/2)
”Nothing like that yet,” said Mr. Carson, smiling. ”But about the fences, concerning which Pocus Pete spoke to me?”
”Well, I suggested to Mr. Molick that he'd better put them up,” said Mr.
Bellmore.
”You did!” There was great surprise manifested in the exclamation of Mr.
Carson.
”Why, yes, I did.”
”What for?” asked Mr. Carson.
”Of course you know that if land is allowed to go unfenced for twenty years--or for a longer or shorter period according to different states--that the land becomes public property, or at least the public has a right-of-way over it and it can not be closed off. I did not want, in case our irrigation company took up Mr. Molick's land, to have a public right-of-way over it, especially so near the water. It might spoil our legal t.i.tle. So I told him to fence it in before we did any business.”
”Then you haven't done any business yet?”
”Not actually closed it, no. I am about to, and then I hope to do some business with you.”
Mr. Bellmore smiled frankly, but Mr. Carson's face was grave as he answered:
”Well, I don't know. I'm afraid you can't do business with both of us, Mr.
Bellmore.”
”Why not?” asked the Chicago man, somewhat surprised.
”Because Mr. Molick and I--to be frank about it--don't pull together any too well. I'm not saying whose fault it is, but he and I have been on the outs for some time, and his men are continually seeking to pick quarrels with my men. He has taken more than his share of the water that is supposed to be for our joint use, and when I objected he was very ugly about it.”
”I feel it my duty to warn you that if you have any business dealings with him to look well to your own interests. He will take every legal advantage, and some that, in my opinion, are not legal.”
”You surprise me!” exclaimed Mr. Bellmore. ”I did not know that he was that kind of man.”
”Well, he is,” put in Dave. ”You mustn't think we cowpunchers are in the habit of giving our neighbors black eyes, Mr. Bellmore,” went on the young cowboy, ”but it is for your own interests that my father is speaking.”
Dave did not hesitate at the word of relations.h.i.+p now. Mr. Bellmore did not know the secret.
”Oh, I think I understand,” the water-man said. ”I'm sorry I began negotiations with Molick, but I don't very well see how I can get out of them. I need his water rights.”
”Perhaps he hasn't as many rights as you think he has,” suggested Mr.
Carson.
”What do you mean?”
”I mean there's a dispute about the river boundary lines. I claim more water than I'm getting, but I'm not in a position to enforce my claims just at present. That is why I wanted to know about the fences. It may be that Molick is encroaching.”
”I'd be sorry to hear that,” Mr. Bellmore said. ”When I told him to go ahead and fence in certain open tracts, so we would know just where the water boundaries extended, I had no idea I would cause you trouble, Mr.
Carson.”
”You haven't--yet,” was the dry answer.