Why, for gosh sake, had they planted him in the very middle of their string of claims, then?
With a dandy spring too, that never went dry except in the driest years, and not more than seventy-five yards, at the outside, to carry water.

Up hill?
Well, what of that?
Look at Pink--had to haul water half a mile from One Man Creek, and no trail.

Look at Weary--had to pack water twice as far as Patsy.

And hadn't they clubbed together and put up his darned shack first thing, just so he COULD get busy and cook?
What did the old devil expect, anyway?
Well--you see that the Happy Family had been fully occupied in the week since the arrival of the homeseekers' excursion.

They could not be expected to give very much thought to their next steps.