“But why did he confess to so much?” asked Margie. “Won’t it make his sentence more severe?”
“That remains to be seen. We have long suspected he was but a tool in Simmons’ schemes. Undoubtedly he reasoned that, by making a clean breast of it, he would prove a valuable witness against Simmons and thus perhaps escape punishment. In the morning I want to look over your crops. Chester tells me that they are ahead of any others about here. The settlers are all talking about them, and declaring that you are cutting off their water supply by so much irrigating. I may as well tell you that two complaints have been filed. While I believe they are prompted by jealousy, I desire to look over the ground myself. By learning conditions, I shall be able to prevent any serious trouble.”
At Andy’s words consternation seized the family, and the boys related in detail their method of breaking the crust and then irrigating once a week.
“Who is making the complaints, Andy?” asked Joy.
“Oh, let’s forget about them—they don’t amount to anything.”
“I was only wondering if it were Jerry Perkins and Lafe Hall.”
“What makes you mention them?”
“Because I saw them riding to Bradley with Simmons yesterday.”
Glad were the land agent and fire lookout that it was twilight, and that the expressions on their faces at this information could not be seen.
“Much obliged for telling me, Joy,” returned Andy, quietly. “And now let’s think of something else. By the way, I’ve some good news that I almost forgot. Si wrote that he might be over this way any day now.”