The eastern line was where the elderberry jungle and
Everglade water met and on the west the line was well out on the sand
prairie.
"That's where you may have some trouble, Mr. Payne," said the surveyor.
"Florida is a free-range state, and the cattle men have run cattle here
so long they feel like kings."
"Is Garman in with them too?"
"Nobody knows much about Garman," was the reply, the same reply that
Roger had received often during the week. "But they'll run cattle in
on you from there if you don't fence. And if you do fence--well, there
have been some ugly fence wars down here."
"I'll fence at once," said Payne. "It's the only businesslike thing to
do."
The surveyor had completed his task and gone. Roger was alone. He had
pitched camp by one of the clear, cool springs in the heart of the
Flower Prairie. A camp fire was smoldering before the tent; the smoke
had attracted attention. Payne heard the pounding of hoofs coming
toward him through the tall grass, and soon Ramos swung into sight and
checked his horse sharply.
"Well?" said Payne. And then the girl of the Egret came riding up
beside Ramos.
Payne said, "Well!" again, but the word had another meaning.
"Well!" said she.
Then they both laughed, and she rode up close and dropped off her
horse.
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