A number of dead skunks and jack rabbits were removed, and the wells thoroughly cleaned.

Just as they were finishing the work Sim Laing arrived from Sidney with "plenty on board." He also had picked up an old human derelict at Sidney, in an impulse of sentiment, and was taking him out to the ranch. Laing swung into the Water Holes with a whoop, drove his mustangs across the depression and up the slope and nearly into one of the uncovered wells.

Frank Raymond ran forward to turn them aside and prevent a catastrophe, whereby Sim felt himself very much offended, and advised the whole listening world that he had been there before any of the d -- d grangers, and that he did not need to be directed about by any of them. And to show that he knew what he was talking about he whipped up his horses so suddenly that the seat toppled over backwards out of the rig, carrying him and his ancient pickup into the dust. The horses were sensible and waited events.

"Old man," said Laing, penitently to his derelict friend, "I am used to this kind of a thing, but I am sorry if I hurt you."

The Water Holes, at that time, had a roadhouse on the slope north of the depression, and it was run by Wheeler & Son. Ordinarily the grangers would take along their "grub," but occasionally they would drop in for meals. There were unsophisticated strangers who occasionally stopped there for provender and who did not get much to eat but paid seventy-five cents for a meal.