Dave could and did, an example Lee followed.  The subject of Menocal was dismissed, and the man and the girl fell into a conversation of general matters.  She assured the engineer, when he inquired, that he was not detaining her from household affairs; and urged him, on learning of his prospective absence, to leave Dick at Diamond Creek and he himself to proceed to Kennard by stage.  She owed Dick a return for the favour of carrying her home that day her own horse went lame; he could run in the pasture with the other horses, where Bryant would know he was safe.  The plan included Bryant’s remaining for dinner, naturally.

“Have I your permission, Dave?” Lee asked.  “Or do you refuse to share this pleasure with me?”

Dave looked at Louise and blushed furiously.

“I guess you’ve made your mind up,” he said, to Bryant.

“I guess I have,” Lee admitted.

Toward noon Mr. Graham joined them and laughingly stated that he was glad to make the acquaintance of the man who was causing such a furor among the Mexicans along the Pinas.  He asked a number of questions and listened with interest to the engineer’s brief exposition of the plan to unite the water rights of the Pinas River and of Perro Creek in a common system, though Bryant disclosed nothing of his survey on the mesa.  Of the opposition Lee had met or might yet encounter the rancher was aware, for he remarked, “You have a fight on your hands.”  But that was his only comment.

After dinner they all continued to talk while the men were smoking cigars.  Graham suggested that if Bryant should need an attorney it would be well to employ one from Kennard, as those in Bartolo were nearly all Mexicans.  The engineer jotted down the name of one the rancher recommended, saying that he had his injunction suits to meet in the September term of court.

“Winship, the sheriff, appears to be one man in Bartolo who’s all right,” Lee stated.

“Yes, he’s a good man,” Graham replied.  “Can’t be influenced or bought; and is perfectly square and impartial in the execution of the duties of his office.  He has served twenty years, with exception of one term when he and Menocal had a disagreement.  Menocal controls the votes in this county, you know; that’s general knowledge.  But things became so lax under the Mexican sheriff who displaced him that he was put back in office.  Menocal ordered it; he has much property and believes in law and order; and there’s little or no stealing with Winship in the sheriff’s saddle.  I’ve heard that he first required the banker to support him unconditionally before resuming the place.”

“I can believe that after a look at Winship,” Lee said, smiling.