At that high level it was seldom
sultry, and the contrast to the heat of the sun-baked plains below was
refreshing. It amply justified, in the boys' opinion, Mr. Melton's wisdom
in the choice of this airy plateau as a location for his home.
The mountains hemmed them in on the north, but on the west and east and
south stretched grassy plains and rolling slopes as far as the eye could
reach. Great herds of cattle dotted the expanse, and here and there could
be seen a mounted cowboy, winding in and out among the stock. Dark lines
at short intervals marked the course of artificial canals, that were fed
by a series of pipes from brooks back in the mountains. There was an
inexhaustible supply of sparkling water, and it was evident that the
fortunate owner of this ranch was forever secure against drought--that
scourge of the Western plains.
"It must have cost a mint of money to do all that piping and digging,"
suggested Bert as his eyes took in the vast extent of the operations.
"Yes, a good many thousands," assented his host, "but it pays to do
things right.
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