As they rode along Bob ignored Jerry’s evident irritation, knowing that it was caused by his forced presence. He talked about a thousand things. Jerry tried to answer in a light and casual manner but he made a rather bad attempt at it.
The sun was hot as they rode and they kept close to the winding river where there was some vegetation and a few trees that gave a little shelter. After they had covered several miles they came upon crude attempts at irrigation which extended the fertility of the land back some distance from the river.
“These canals were started by the Indians,” said Jerry, “and were made bigger and longer by the white settlers. When we get up to Holman’s you’ll see some real irrigation.”
They did. Bob realized they were approaching the ranch by the sight of broad green fields which were watered by orderly ditches and laterals spreading out from the main canals like the branches of a tree. Here and there were gates which could be used to direct the water down any given canal or ditch.
“I thought Holman was a cattleman,” said Bob. “This looks as if he were a farmer.”
“He is a cattleman, though,” was the answer. “The range is to the north. A branch river flows into the Rio Grande and forms a triangle of green grazing. Holman has put in this irrigation merely to grow crops necessary for house use. It’s taken him years to make this place, and the dam we’re building will wipe it out overnight.”
“That’s tough luck,” said Bob, thinking that if he sympathized Jerry might let something fall which would be useful. But his ruse did not work, for Jerry merely said:
“It is pretty hard, but when the dam is built there’ll be many other fields below the dam. He’ll have to move down there, that’s all.”
There was very little more chance for conversation, as they were rapidly approaching a low, adobe house surrounded by outbuildings which were evidently stables and laborers’ houses. When they galloped in they were hailed by a bunch of cowboys who were perched on the corral fence. Jerry answered them with a shout and waved his hand but continued to lead the way to the main building. On the porch two men were sitting in chairs tilted up against the wall. Jerry introduced Bob to them.
“This is my friend, Bob Hazard, Mr. Holman,” he said. “Wanted to come and see a ranch. He is a rodman down at the dam.”