José — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

110 JOSE. make allowance for the difference in my habits and inclinations; besides two generations may live and die here before our magnificent estate is likely to increase one dollar in value, despite its rich soil and accessible location on the Santa Fe trail—unless, in- deed, this neighborhood can be made an object of speculation. In short, not to mince matters, I in- tend to found a town here. We have building stone and timber near at hand, an inexhaustible supply of water, a splendid valley with a rich soil, and a location which offers every inducement for rapid settlement. As Mr. Brown, who returned with me from California, has considerable standing with Eastern capitalists, I have no doubt that it will be an easy matter to organize a syndicate which will advance the necessary capital to assure the success of our enterprise; but whatever the issue may be, we at least have nothing to lose. It will attract people to this valley, and the ground will increase tenfold in value from the very start.” He paused and looked expectantly at the old overseer, who rocked his head with a grave motion. “Many things are desirable if they can be accom- plished,” he began after a short silence. “The antelope might roam the mountains undisturbed if it were not for the cougar, and the white man would not have need of the walls of a fortress if the redskins were not his sworn foe. How an open town can be formed where the Apache lies in am- bush for every unprotected wayfarer is more than my old head can fathom.” “We shall find ways to protect ourselves, Mc- Allister,” eagerly replied the young man; “the best way to muzzle the Indians is to spread civilization Eomichooks sco