"I don't like the looks of it," murmured Billy. "But I'm glad Uncle Richfield has that paper."
"And he can look out for himself," observed the old cattleman, with a grin. "I guess there's nothing for us to do, Billy. We can't very well order the men off the road, for, though it's a private one, your uncle doesn't object to folks using it."
"No, I guess we can't do anything," agreed the Western lad. "But we'll tell Uncle Richfield about it, and he can make some inquiries."
"Look!" suddenly exclaimed Frank, and the eyes of all were once more turned on the wagon, which had been lost sight of for a moment in a cloud of dust. "They're turning off the road."
"So they are," agreed Andy. "I didn't notice any other road there."
"There isn't a regular road," said Archie Lynch. "But there's a sort of trail that leads to the river and the big dam that's almost completed. They've taken that road."
"What for?" asked Billy suspiciously.
"Say, I believe I have it!" exclaimed the old cattleman. "Your uncle was telling me the other day that he'd sent for a water-works expert, to report on the dam, and to see that everything was in good shape for the completion of it. He didn't quite trust the contractors, for they'd never tackled a job exactly like this before. That's who that party must be—the expert and his assistants. They're going to the dam."
"Oh, then that puts a different face on it," said Billy, much relieved. "But I should think Uncle Richfield would like to be with 'em when they make the inspection."
"He may come later," suggested Archie. "I guess it's all right. Giddap!" and his horses started off. The boys watched the other wagon. It was swinging away from them now, and a little later was lost to sight below some foothills, that marked the beginning of a rise of land, in which rose the river, that the ranch owner proposed curbing to make water his crops.