"Suppose I refuse to go until you prove to me that you own this land, or have a legal right, by virtue of an agreement, to order me off," asked Mr. Vanter.
"Then I'm afraid there'll be an unpleasant scene," exclaimed Mr. Ranquist, in a harsh voice, and with a sudden motion he drew a revolver, and aimed it full at the surveyor. "I don't want to resort to forceful measures," he went on, "but I'll have no hesitation in using this if you remain here three minutes longer." He drew out his watch.
"You needn't worry," spoke up Mr. Vanter, calmly. "I'm not afraid of that popgun, for I've faced bigger ones than that, but at present you seem to have the law on your side. However, Mr. Ranquist, we may meet again, when perhaps the shoe will be on the other foot. I'll bid you good-morning," and, bowing politely, with not a trace of anger in his face, Mr. Vanter walked slowly down the hill, followed by the two laborers. Roger and Adrian remained behind for a minute or so.
"I guess I can get along without you two boys," remarked Mr. Ranquist, in strange contrast to his pleasant tones of a few days before. "And as for you, Master Roger, if I catch you on this land after to-day, it won't be well for you. Mind what I say, and keep off. I'll see your father, Adrian, and have him keep you away also."
"You needn't trouble yourself," said Adrian, quickly. He was as angry as ever a boy could be. "We don't have any great hankering to get on your land, which you had to cheat to get control of," and with this parting shot Adrian and Roger made their way in the direction taken by Mr. Vanter. They caught up to him before he had gone very far, and though Roger, in obedience to his instructions, was not going to speak, the surveyor addressed him.
"Well, Roger," he said, "I see you were too late. Your uncle must have signed before you got home last night."
"He had," answered the boy. "He was reading the agreement when I got in. I think he said he is to sign the deed to-morrow."
"Too bad," remarked Mr. Vanter, sympathetically, "but I suppose it couldn't be helped. I think I'll go down and see Mr. Kimball, anyhow. He used to know me when I was a Cardiff boy. I suppose," turning to Adrian, "this is his son?"
Adrian nodded pleasantly, and while the party advanced Roger told his cousin in a low tone who Mr. Vanter was, and how he had met him. At the foot of the hill the surveyor dismissed his laborers and went on with the boys.
"I didn't have a chance to do much in the way of examining the land," said Mr. Vanter to Roger. "I would have dug deeper if I hadn't been interrupted. But from what I saw, and the way Ranquist acted, I am pretty sure the salt deposit is a large one, and valuable. I wish, for Mr. Kimball's sake, I had known this two days ago."