The result of this discovery was that on the following morning the young engineer and Sanderson journeyed westward to the basin, arriving at the Double A late in the afternoon of the next day.

On the edge of the plateau after the engineer and, Sanderson had spent three or four days prowling through the basin and the gorge, the engineer spoke convincingly: 

“It’s the easiest thing in the world!  A big flume to the point I showed you, a big main ditch and several laterals will do the trick.  I’m with you to the finish!”

Sanderson smiled at the engineer’s glowing enthusiasm and told him of the opposition he would meet in developing the project.

“There’ll be a heap of schemin’, an’ mebbe shootin’, Williams,” Sanderson told him.  “Puttin’ through this deal won’t be any pussy-kitten affair.”

“So much the better,” laughed the engineer; “I’m fed up on soft snaps and longing for action.”

The engineer was thirty; big, square-shouldered, lithe, and capable.  He had a strong face and a level, steady eye.

“If you mean business, let’s get acquainted,” he said.  “My front name is Kent.”

“Well, Kent, let’s get busy,” smiled Sanderson.  “You go to work on your estimates, order your material, hire your men.  I’ll see how bad the people in the basin want the water they’ve been expectin’.”

Kent Williams took up his quarters in the bunkhouse and immediately began work, though before he could do much he rode to Okar, telegraphed to Dry Bottom, the town which had been the scene of his previous activity, and awaited the arrival of several capable-looking young men.

In company with the latter he returned to the Double A, and for many days thereafter he and his men ran the transit and drove stakes in the basin and along the gorge.

Sanderson spent much of his time talking with the cattlemen in the basin.  They were all eager to have water brought to their ranches, for it would save them the long trip to the river, which was inaccessible in many places, and they welcomed the new project.

0ne of the men—­a newcomer to the basin—­voiced the general sentiment.

“We want water, an’ we don’t give a damn who brings it here.  First come, first served!”

The big problem to Sanderson, however, was the question of money.  He was aware that a vast sum would be required.  Nearly all the money he possessed would be sunk in the preliminary work, and he knew that if the work was to go on he must borrow money.

He couldn’t get money in Okar, he knew that.

He rode to Lazette and talked with a banker there.  The latter was interested, but unwilling to lend.

“The Okar Basin,” he said.  “Yes, I’ve heard about it.  Great prospects there.  But I’ve been told that Silverthorn and Maison are going to put it through, and until I hear from them, I shouldn’t like to interfere.”

“That gang won’t touch the Double A water!” declared Sanderson.  “I’ll see the basin scorched to a cinder before I’ll let them in on the deal!”