“Good morning, Mr. Darrell,” said Don Mariano.
“Good morning,” Darrell answered, laconically.
“Can I speak a few words with you?”
“Certainly,” he said, going a few steps nearer.
“I see you have taken up some land here, and I suppose you think it is government land, but if so, you are misinformed. This land belongs to me,” Don Mariano said.
“Why is it reported rejected then? I have seen the law report, stating that your title was rejected.”
“Yes, I know that such is the case. For some mistake or other the entry was made placing my title in the list of those rejected, but I assure you that it is a mistake. My title is now before the attorney general in Washington, because, having been approved, the settlers took an appeal. If the attorney general sustains the appeal, I suppose he will remand the case for a new trial, but I have reasons to suppose he will dismiss the appeal and affirm the decision of the District Court in my favor.”
“We will see about that,” Darrell said.
“Undoubtedly we will; meantime I thought it was best to undeceive you, and give you warning that you are building on my land.”
“Your land if you get it,” was the answer.