the other girls and all the
priests--vowed he should not have one moment of peace until that cargo
was ours."

"Well?" asked Rezanov sharply, in spite of his amusement.

Concha shook her head. "When he does not swear, he answers only: 'Buy
if you have the money. I have never broken a law of Spain, and I shall
not begin in my old age.' He knows well that we have no money to send
out of New Spain; but I have conceived a plan, senor. It is for you,
not for me, to suggest it. You will never betray that I have been your
friend, Excellency?"

"I will swear it if you wish," said Rezanov frigidly.

"Pardon, senor. If I thought you could I should not be here. One
often says such things. This is the plan: You shall suggest that we
buy your wares, and that you buy again with our money. The dear
Governor only wants to save his conscience an ache, for we have driven
him nearly distracted. I am sure he will consent, for you will know
how to put it to him very diplomatically."

"But if he refused to understand, or his conscience remained obdurate?
I should then have neither cargo nor ballast."

"He would never trick a guest, nor would he let the money go out of the
country. And he knows well how much we need your cargo and longs to be
able to state in his reports that he sold you a hold full of
breadstuffs. Moreover, I think the time has come to tell him of the
distress at Sitka. He is very soft-hearted and is now in that
distracted state of mind when only one more argument is required. I
hope I have given you good advice, Excellency. It is the best I can
think of. I have given it much thought, and the terrible state of
those miserable creatures has kept me awake many nights. I must return
now. Will your excellency kindly remain here until I am well on my
way?--and then return by the beach? I shall go as I came, through the
valley. Neither of us can be seen from the Battery."

"I will obey all your instructions," said Rezanov. But he did not move,
nor could the mustang. Concha smiled and pointed to the other side of
the cleft, which was about as wide as a narrow street.

"Pardon, senor, I cannot turn."

For a moment Rezanov stared at her, through her. Then his heavy eyes
opened and flashed. It seemed to him that for the first time he saw
how beautiful, how desirable she was, set in that gray volcanic rock
with the heavens gray above her, and the stars fading out. It was not
the bower he would have i