Dr.Glenn's first harvest of wheat in Colusa County, quietly undertaken but suddenly realised with dramatic abruptness, gave a new matter for reflection to the thinking men of the New West.

California suddenly leaped unheralded into the world's market as a competitor in wheat production.

In a few years her output of wheat exceeded the value of her out-put of gold, and when, later on, the Pacific and Southwestern Railroad threw open to settlers the rich lands of Tulare County--conceded to the corporation by the government as a bonus for the construction of the road--Magnus had been quick to seize the opportunity and had taken up the ten thousand acres of Los Muertos.
Wherever he had gone, Magnus had taken his family with him.

Lyman had been born at Sacramento during the turmoil and excitement of Derrick's campaign for governor, and Harran at Shingle Springs, in El Dorado County, six years later.
But Magnus was in every sense the "prominent man." In whatever circle he moved he was the chief figure.

Instinctively other men looked to him as the leader.