"she liked horses. And I don't. And I don't
like their old cactus plants with their sharp needles that seem to jump
at you. And the sun is cruel. It bites. And even the mountains look
hard and angry as if they wanted to do you a mean turn.--And that
storm! Did you ever see anything more terrifying? I thought the day
of judgment had come. I don't believe Lady Betty would have been any
braver than I was. Well, not much braver!"

Shirley laughed softly. "Joy dear, how you exaggerate things! Arizona
is wonderful. Did you ever see such glorious sunsets? I'm crazy about
them."

"The sunrises are just as wonderful!" interrupted Bet. "And I'm
wondering who is going to be game enough to start to Saugus before
daylight some morning. Kit says we will have to take an early start if
we are to make the trip in one day."

"Why are we going there?" asked Joy.

"To record our claims. We _could_ mail the filled-in blanks but it's
lots more exciting to take them. And it's good experience for us.
Besides the County Recorder should get acquainted with us, for someday
we'll own a great big mine and be people of importance."

The girls laughed at Bet's seriousness.

"Are you going to say you don't want to go?" Bet asked in a vexed tone.

"Of course we'll go!" assented Enid. "We're The Merriweather Girls;
one for all and all for one! What day do we start?"

"Why not go tomorrow, if our folks agree? I'm anxious to see those
claims put on record," said Shirley, "and the sooner business matters
are attended to, the better for everyone. And just think, girls, it's
our second business venture. Shirley's Shop was a success and still
is, for mother is keeping it going, and she said in her last letter
that she was not doing badly at all."

"Shirley's Shop was a success and the Merriweather Mining Company will
be, too," Bet declared. "It _must_ be a success."

"It will be!" determined Enid.

Only Joy did not share their optimism. "I think the storm was a bad
omen, don't you, Kit? It's hoodooed!"

"Joy Evans!" cried Bet her eyes flashing. "Half an hour ago I would
have let you say that, but now if the creek were near, in you'd go!"

Joy laughed and got beyond the reach of Bet's hand, then said impishly:
"As for boys, I think they are simply wonderful! Mexican boys have
beautiful eyes and Phil Gordon always smiles at you, Bet."

For answer Bet ran into the house and slammed the door to her own room.
Joy had wep