unusual to him. But, arrived at the cabin, he left her and with one
bound had reached the Indian's side, where he still sat beside his
window, his head against its casing and his blanket--Jessica's
gift--closely wrapped about him. He did not move when they entered,
nor respond even by objection to the collie's frantic blandishments,
but John raised his hand for silence, as she stood sorrowfully gazing
downward upon the face of death.

Yes, it was that. He had more than rounded his century of years, he
had lived uprightly, as the good padres had taught; he had bestowed
upon those he loved the secret of great wealth, and he had gone to
keep his precious Navidad in the home of eternal youth.

Jessica comprehended the truth at once, and her eyes filled with the
tears which, as yet, did not overflow; for as she gazed upon the
sleeper's face it filled her with amazement and something akin to
delight; and at last she exclaimed:

"Why, how young and glad he looks! He's even nobler than he was when
he rode away from me last night, and I'd never seen him so dignified
and grand as he was then. It's--it's as if he had done with everything
is hard, like worries, and evil, and loneliness, and--all."

"Ay, lassie; he has done with all--that you or I know aught about; and
every inch a man he seems as he sits there in the majesty of death."

By then the child's tears had begun to flow, and she caught up Pedro's
hand with an outburst of grief and love.

"Poor, poor Pedro! To have been here all alone when it came! What
shall I do without him who was always so good, so good to me? Oh, I
can't have it so, John! I can't, I can't!"

He was wise enough to attempt no consolation, knowing well how small a
part of her life the venerable Indian had been and how easily youth
accustoms itself to such a loss. But, after he had allowed her to sob
for a time, he gently touched her shoulder, and said:

"Come. Pedro has finished his work and has passed it on to us. Those
poor sheep must be cared for, and somebody must ride home at once; or,
rather, should ride at once to Marion to make the necessary
arrangements. I wish----" And he paused in perplexity, regarding her
as if in doubt what was best to be done.

They left the cottage with that quiet tread which seems natural in the
presence of those whom no sound can trouble, and, hand in hand, walked
sadly to the fold, where the penned sheep greeted them with eager
cries and restless movements.