They hurried their prisoner off to jail, and in a few minutes he also was locked behind thick adobe walls. CHAPTER XII Albert Wellesly never made a new investment, nor allowed any change to be made in property in which he was interested, without first making a thorough personal inspection. For that reason he spent a number of busy days at the ranch, near the close of the round-up, inspecting the range and debating with Colonel Whittaker whether it would be better to enlarge it or to run the risk of overstocking by increasing the number of cattle on the land which they already held. They decided that if they could get control of certain springs and surrounding ranges, especially Emerson Mead's Alamo and Cienega springs and another belonging to McAlvin, which joined the range they already held, it would be exactly what they needed. "These water holes would be worth a lot to us," said Colonel Whittaker, "but it would be just like these contrary cusses to refuse to sell at any price, especially to us." "Then they'll have to be persuaded," Wellesly replied. It was necessary for Colonel Whittaker to return to Las Plumas before they had quite finished their inspection, and Wellesly decided to remain a little longer and go back to town alone. Whittaker hesitated over the arrangement, for he knew that Wellesly had neither the instinct nor the training of the plainsman, and that he was unusually deficient in that sense of direction which is the traveler's best pilot over monotonous levels and rolling hills. "Do you think you can find your way?" he said. "One of the boys can guide you over the range, and when you start back to town, unless you are perfectly sure of yourself, you'd better have him go with you, as far as Muletown, at least." "Oh, I'll have no trouble about getting back," Wellesly replied. "It's a perfectly plain, straight road all the way, and all I'll have to do will be to follow the main track. I'll stay here two days longer and I'll take two days for the trip to town. You can expect me--this is Monday--some time Thursday afternoon."