“Nineteen dollars.”
“We have it,” announced Ted, wondering if the relief he felt as he heard the amount was evident in his voice.
With a grunt the registrar took a form from his desk, got up, and advanced to the counter.
“Answer these questions,” he snapped. “Names.”
“Phil and Ted Porter,” replied the elder boy.
“Where do you want to file?”
“On quarter section, E 1, Chikau township.”
Mindful of Andy’s statement that the registrar had long coveted the section upon which they had settled, the boys watched him closely as this answer was given. No outward sign of emotion did he evince. His head, however, was bent over the paper on which he was writing, and could the young homesteaders have seen the light that appeared in his eyes, they would have become even more upset than they were at the warning they had received.
“Raise your right hands and be sworn,” droned the agent, and when the oath had been administered, he continued his interrogations, having put down their general description, leaving the particulars of their parentage and family.
“You have examined the land you desire for a homestead?”