Without question Menocal's influence would prevent the owners from selling, even if Bryant had the money with which to buy a second right of way, which he had not.

Dollar for dollar it would be cheaper in the long run to use the old line.

Well, Dave was already across the last fence with his rod; they would soon be working entirely on government land; and with that, it did not matter for the present what the Mexican landowners thought or did.
Bryant had walked fifty yards or so away from his transit to call something to Dave, when the crack of a rifle sounded from the hillside and a bullet whined near by.

The engineer pivoted about.

Another shot followed, and he beheld a spurt of dust close by his instrument.