I am very
sorry that the senor is not pleased with my choice."
"You needn't be sorry. It's a very pretty riata, and I have no doubt
it will do all I ask of it. The saddle's a beauty, and the bridle and
spurs--I'm a thousand times obliged."
"It is nothing and less than nothing," disclaimed Manuel once more;
and went in to ask the senora for a most palatable decoction whose
chief ingredient was blackberry wine, which the senora recommended to
all and sundry for various ailments. Though Manuel, the deceitful one,
had no ailment, he did have a keen appreciation of the flavour of the
cordial, and his medicine bottle was never long empty--or full--if he
could help it.
A moment later Jack, hearing a human, feminine twitter from the
direction of the rose garden, left off examining pridefully his
belongings, and bolted without apology, after his usual headlong
fashion.
Don Andres sat him down in an easy-chair in the sun, and sighed as he
did so. "He is hot-tempered, that vaquero," he said regretfully, his
mind upon Manuel. "Something has stirred his blood; surely your friend
has done nothing to offend him?"
"Nothing except remark that he has always liked a four-strand riata
better than six. At the hut he was friendly enough."
"He is not the only one whose anger is easily stirred against the
gringos," remarked the don, reaching mechanically for his tobacco
pouch, while he watched Dade absently examining the new riata.
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