the Rolling Valley Water Company. Our concern has acquired rights in the
valley of the Rolling River, and I have been sent out to see what the
chances are for getting the ranchmen and other land-owners interested."

"I thought irrigation schemes had only to do with farming," said Dave.

"No, irrigation takes in much more than that. Of course farmers need
water, and we hope to develop some big farms out here. But ranchmen also
need water for their cattle."

"Yes, that's true," said Dave. "; My--my father was saying only the other
day, that he could do a lot more if we had a better water supply."

"Then he's one of the men I need to see!" exclaimed Mr. Bellmore. "Perhaps
he already has some rights in the water supply of this valley that we
could negotiate for.

"You see our idea is," he continued, "to get the whole water supply under
one head in a big company, of course giving those who sell us their
rights, a certain control. Then we intend to build a big dam to conserve
the water supply. As it is here now I imagine, from what I know of other
places, at one time you have too much water, and at another you don't have
enough."

"That's just it," Dave admitted. "It isn't even."

"Well, that's what we irrigation engineers are aiming to do--make the
water supply even the year around. I certainly must talk with your father.
Maybe, after all, it's a good thing I sprained my ankle, though it
certainly does hurt!" he exclaimed, with a sharp indrawing of his breath.