Page:The Baron of Diamond Tail (1923).pdf/128

 "Place up the river about seven miles from the ranch where a couple of brothers from Iowa took up claims side by side, built their house so it stood half way over the line on each end. They could live together that way and each one of 'em hold down their claim accordin' to law at the same time. Finest track of hay land in this country, them two claims."

"Well, we couldn't buy 'em out, Fred. You don't mean to chase 'em off, do you?"

"They're already chased, the Diamond Tail boys chased 'em. That land I'm speakin' of is on the Diamond Tail."

"You mean we'd turn grangers, Fred?"

"Somebody'll take up them claims again one of these days. Might as well be me and you. That's a kind of a marshy land in spots, I've seen elks by the hundred there, right now you can see 'em sometimes, mixin' with the cattle as tame as anything on the Diamond Tail."

"You don't mean that, Fred. Who ever heard"

"Wait till you see with your own eyes; that's all I got to say."

Fred seemed offended that his friend should doubt his word, incredible as it seemed to one not accustomed to that country. Barrett hastened to set it right by acknowledging his hasty judgment, and Fred went on with his talk about the chance that lay out there for the taking.

"Them two boys from Iowa put a bob-wire fence all around them two claims. They got a contract from the quartermaster at the post to sell him hay, and