"Yes," replied Blake. "I regret that you feel as you do about it. Consider what it would mean to hundreds, yes, thousands of people, if this mesa were watered. I assure you that you, too, would benefit by the project." "I don't care for any such benefit, Mr. Blake. I've been a cowman for twenty-five years. I want to keep my range until the time comes for me to take the long trail." "It would be hard to change," agreed the engineer. "However, the point now is to find what Deep Canyon has to tell us." "You still think you can go down it?" "Yes, if I have ropes, a two-pound hammer, and some iron pins; railroad spikes and picket-pins would do." "Going to rope the rocks and pull them up for steps?" asked Gowan. "I shall need two or three hundred feet of half-inch manila," said Blake, ignoring the sarcasm. "They may have it at Stockchute," said Knowles. "Kid, you can drive over with the wagon and fetch Mr. Blake all the rope and other things he wants. I can't stand this waiting much longer." "There will be no time lost," said Blake. "It will take Ashton and me all of tomorrow to carry a line of levels up the mountain." "Why need you do that, Tom?" asked his wife. "Yes, why, if all that's left is to go down into the canyon?" added Isobel, dabbing the tears from her wet eyes. Ashton thrust in an answer before Blake could speak. "We must see how high the upper mesa is above this one, Miss Chuckie, and then compare the difference of altitude with the depth of the canyon, to see whether its bottom is above or below the bottom of the gulch." "Oh--measure up and then down, to see which way is longest," said Genevieve. "Sorry, ma'am," broke in Knowles. "We'll have to be starting now to get home by dark. If you think you can trust me with that young man, I'd like the honor of packing him all the way in. I've toted calves for miles, so I guess I can hold onto a baby if I use both hands." "You shall have him!" replied Genevieve, smiling like a daughter as she met the look in his grave eyes. "Tom, give Thomas to Mr. Knowles--when he is safe in the saddle." Even Gowan cracked a smile at this cautious qualification. He hastened to bring Isobel's horse and hold him for her--which gave Ashton the opportunity to help her mount. Both services were needless, but she rewarded each eager servitor with a dimpled smile. When Blake handed the baby up to Knowles, his wife, untroubled by mock modesty, gave him a loving kiss. He lifted her bodily into the saddle, and she rode off with her three companions. Isobel, however, wheeled within the first few yards, and came back for a parting word: "You can expect us quite early tomorrow. We will overtake you on your way up the mountain. I wish Genevieve to see the canyon. Good night--Pleasant dreams!"