For Andy Green had risen rapidly to a tacit leadership, since first he told them of the coming colony.

From being the official Ananias of the outfit, king of all joke-makers, chief irritator of the bunch, whose lightest word was suspected of hiding some deep meaning and whose most innocent action was analysed, he had come to the point where they listened to him and depended upon him to see a way out of every difficulty.

They would depend upon him now; of that he was sure--therefore they would wait for his plan.
Strange as it may seem, the Happy Family had not seriously considered the possibility of having their claims "jumped" so long as they kept valid their legal residence.

They had thought that they would be watched and accused of collusion with the Flying U, and they intended to be extremely careful.

They meant to stay upon their claims at least seven months in the year, which the law required.