For reply Benton fished a bit of paper from his pocket, and passed it over. “Read it,” he said with a grin.
The old-timer slowly spelled out the brief document.
In consideration of four gallons of engine oil, I hereby agree to sell, assign, and transfer to Harris Benton, a full sluice head of water to be taken from the waters of Caribou Creek, and I agree to allow him or his agents to go on my claim or claims to dig the necessary ditch to carry said water.
Joe Murtry.
“You’re the first man that ever got the best of Joe Murtry,” gasped the old-timer. “How in thunder did you do it?”
Benton explained.
“And now,” he went on, “I’ve got some good miners working for me, but—you’re an old-timer—do they seem to be working the ground all right?”
“Listen, son,” said the old-timer solemnly. “You don’t need the advice of an old-timer.”
Transcriber’s Note: This story appeared in the June 5, 1926 issue of Western Story magazine.