As far as the dam was concerned and the work going on there, things were quiet for the next day or two. But the situation between the United States and Mexico seemed to be growing more and more tense. From the border came rumors of dissatisfaction caused by the presence of American troops on patrol duty and the deportation of Mexicans from the United States back into their country. As these reports multiplied they furnished a topic of discussion for all. The American element feared especially the effects any serious clash might have on the work at the dam and openly discussed the possibility that an attack of some sort might be made on the work itself.
Bob learned that the cattlemen were strongly in favor of having the United States go into Mexico and stay there until things had been settled for keeps. The most outspoken of the crowd wanted the United States to conquer and then to annex Mexico, feeling that it was the only way in which peace could be assured for any length of time. The reason for their feeling was that the ranchers along the border were in constant fear of cattle rustlers, who, once they were in Mexico with their booty, were safe from pursuit. Under Diaz, who had ruled Mexico firmly, there had been no great trouble. In those days raids were few and they were quite as likely to have been made by American outlaws as by Mexicans. Besides, Diaz would, wherever it was possible, aid in the return of the stolen property. Since he had lost control things had changed. The constant revolutions that came after him left the border states without law and order. All sorts of robbery and murder were permitted to go unpunished.
Even the builders of the dam often felt that intervention was the only way out of a bad situation. Bob was sure that this unsettled condition was responsible for Mr. Whitney’s being away from the work at a time when matters were in such a ticklish condition.
Nothing new had developed in the plot which he felt was being formed between the cattlemen and the Mexicans by means of Jerry. Feather-in-the-Wind had not reported anything further. What worried Bob most was his suspicions regarding Jerry King. Although he was sure that Jerry was not doing what he should, he realized that all he had to go on was circumstantial evidence. He had no real proof!
But he could not trust Jerry, and the feeling worried him. When Sunday came around without the return of Mr. Whitney he determined to make a last effort to find out just where Jerry stood. He did not dare risk coming out into the open and asking Jerry what his suspicious movements meant. If Jerry were guilty of wrong-doing, he would at once know that Bob was onto something. In that case it was quite possible that Jerry would fire the first gun before Bob was ready to combat it.
There was only one other thing which seemed practicable. Of course it had in it a great element of chance as to his finding out anything of value. But he determined to try it for want of anything better.
On Sunday morning he was up before his room-mate, and when the latter came out the front door of the Quarter-house he was waiting for him.
“Going up river again to-day, Jerry?” asked Bob.
“Thought I would,” answered Jerry shortly, but halting.
“Think I’ll go along then,” stated Bob as casually as possible. “I’ve never been up that way and I’d like to see the country that the lake will cover.”