Thorne was highly
enthusiastic, and at once staked out his claim for one hundred and
sixty acres of land adjoining that of Belding and the rangers.
These five tracts took in all the ground necessary for their
operations, but in case of the success of the irrigation project the
idea was to increase their squatter holdings by purchase of more
land down the valley. A hundred families had lately moved to
Forlorn River; more were coming all the time; and Belding vowed
he could see a vision of the whole Altar Valley green with farms.
Meanwhile everybody in Belding's household, except the quiet Ladd
and the watchful Yaqui, in the absence of disturbance of any kind
along the border, grew freer and more unrestrained, as if anxiety
was slowly fading in the peace of the present. Jim Lash made a
trip to the Sonoyta Oasis, and Ladd patrolled fifty miles of the
line eastward without incident or sight of raiders. Evidently all
the border hawks were in at the picking of Casita.
The February nights were cold, with a dry, icy, penetrating coldness
that made a warm fire most comfortable. Belding's household
usually congregated in the sitting-room, where burning mesquite
logs crackled in the open fireplace. Belding's one passion besides
horses was the game of checkers, and he was always wanting to
play. On this night he sat playing with Ladd, who never won a
game and never could give up trying. Mrs. Belding worked with
her needle, stopping from time to time to gaze with thoughtful
eyes into the fire.
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