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 said Watson abruptly; "in dry weather it is full of water, but in time of rain there aint a drop in it."

"I can beat that," laughed Jack. "Just back of Sampsonville in the town of Olive, and nearly at the top of High Point, four thousand feet high, is a spring called the 'Tidal Spring' because, when the tide is in, the spring overflows, and when it ebbs the water lowers."

Jack looked quickly in Watson's direction. For an instant their eyes met and the answering glance told that in Ulster County was still another spring where, in durance vile, was being served what seemed an unjust term.

After a long silence, Watson shook himself like a great dog and turning to Jack said,—"Young man, I reckon you think I've come just in compliment to your irrigation plant, but you're mighty mistaken if you do. They've made a big strike of gold down in the Llano District. I've always believed there was gold there, for the formation is similar to that of the well-known mining camps in Colorado.