game of
cross-purposes; and the decrees of fate are incorrigible.

"I had no idea you were so savage," she said, softly.

"I'm not savage," replied Freeman. "I am bored."

"Well, I don't know as I can blame you," said Grace, still more softly:
she fancied he was referring to Miriam. "I don't much like Spanish
mixtures myself."

"One has to take what one can get," said Freeman, referring to Don
Miguel.

"But it's all right now," rejoined she, meaning that Freeman and herself
were reconciled after their quarrel.

"If you are satisfied, I am," observed Freeman, too indifferent to care
what she meant.

"Only, you mustn't take that poor young man too seriously," she went
on: "these Mexicans are absurdly demonstrative, but they don't mean
anything."

"He won't, if he values his skin," said Freeman, meaning that if Don
Miguel attempted to interfere between himself and Miriam he would wring
his neck.

"He won't, I promise you," said Grace, sparkling with pleasure.

"I don't quite see how you can help it," returned Freeman.

"I should hope I could manage a creature like that!" murmured she,
smiling.

"Well," said Freeman, after a pause,--for Grace's seeming change of
attitude puzzled him a little,--"I'm glad you look at it that way. I
don't wish to be meddled with; that's all."

"You shan't be," she whispered; and then, just when they were
approaching the point where their eyes might have been opened, in came
General Trednoke. The group round the Golden Fleece broke up.

The general wore his riding-dress, and his bearing was animated, though
he was covered with dust.

"I was wondering what had become of you all," he said, as the others
gathered about him. "I have been taking a canter to the eastward.
Kamaiakan said this morning that one of the boys had brought news of a
cloud-burst in that direction. I rode far enough to ascertain that there
has really been something of the kind, and I think it has affected the
arroyo on the farther side of the little sierra. Now, I don't know how
you gentlemen feel, but it occurred to me that it might be interesting
to make up a little party of exploration to-morrow. Would you like to
try it, Meschines?"

"To be sure I should!" the professor replied. "I imagine I can stand as
much of the desert as you can! And I want to catch a sidewinder."

"Good! And you, Mr. Freeman?"

"It would suit me exactly," said the latter. "In fact, I had been
intending to gratify my curiosit