"Your claim will not hold water," put in Chet, faintly.
"Well, I reckon it will," retorted Captain Grady. "I allow as how I know wot I'm a-doin'."
"My father bought this ranch, and that settles it," said Paul. "We will not give up our rights here just on what you say."
"Perhaps you had better look at his papers," suggested Noel Urner, who had thus far remained silent.
"It won't be necessary for them to look at 'em," returned the captain, doggedly. "I have 'em and that's enough. I ain't got to show my papers no more than they hev got to show theirs."
"What shall we do?" whispered Paul to the young man from New York, as he led him a little to one side.
"Stick to your resolve to stand up for your rights," was Noel's reply "Remember, possession is nine points of the law. He cannot dispossess you unless he starts a lawsuit to recover the property he claims."
"I ain't a-goin' to wait for your Uncle Barnaby or Allen to return," went on Captain Grady, sullenly. "I want you to leave at once, bag and baggage."
