Of course Mr.Menocal isn't taking kindly to my proposed use of this water." And Lee paused.
"What has he done?
Anything yet ?" "Not much so far, except a little futile skirmishing," the engineer remarked, with twinkling eyes.

"When I paid off his mortgage on the land, I advised him that I should use the water: and he threatened to have the water right cancelled.

But he backed up on that line when I promised to lodge him in jail for making false affidavits if he tried those tactics.

Thought I'd head him off in that direction at the start.

I got the jump on him there.