ou see, cut off at the top. Pedro wove all this
lacelike outside, of just the common tule rushes. He splits them till
they are like threads, and see that handle! Nothing could break it,
nor can one tell just where it begins or ends--the joinings, I mean.
There are many wonderful weavers among the Indians, but none so deft as
our Pedro, my mother says.

"Now, will you not fill this again and drink it with me? For I see that
our speechless friend, yonder, has gone to work again as if his life
depended on his industry."

"He's always at work, like that. Yet he never neglects his flock. He
has been herding ever since he was a little boy. That must have been
years ago. He's so very old."

"He doesn't look it. I should guess he might be fifty."

"Fifty! Why, there's nobody anywhere around who remembers when our
Pedro was born. Not even Fra Mateo at the mission, yet even he is more
than a hundred," she answered, proudly.

"Possible? Well, this is all wonderful to me who have lived always in
a crowded city. This big West is like a romance, a fairy tale; not the
least of its marvels to find a little girl like you riding alone on such
a steed up such a desolate canyon, yet not in the least afraid."

"Why, why should I be afraid? Except, of course, I was, for a bit, when
I saw that Zulu made your horse rear. A step nearer and you'd have both
gone over."

Mr. Hale shuddered, and Jessica hastened to add:

"But the step wasn't taken and you're quite safe up here. Is the
dizziness all gone? Many are like that before they get used to the glare.
Some of the 'tourists' wear blue glasses, and veils, and things. They
look so funny."

Into her laughter burst Pedro's speech.

"'Ware Antonio. Is it plucking day, no? His third hand is Ferd, who
lies and steals. I know. The mistress' chest has many openings. _Nina_,
go home, and bid Antonio come himself when next he'd have me die. Yes."

Jessica sprang to her feet. These were many words for the shepherd
to utter, and was not to be disobeyed. Though the old man's age was
doubtless far less than was accredited him, he was commonly considered
a sage whose intelligence increased, rather than diminished, with the
passing years.

"I'll go at once, Pedro. Please forget that I was angry and--good-by."

Mr. Hale was unprepared for this sudden departure, which bereft the scene
of its fairest feature; for even while he listened to the brief speech
between this odd pair there was a flash of