bout it. It wasn't that
gal's fault, ole man. The hoss shied at me, lying drunk in a ditch, you
see; the hoss backed, the surcle broke; it warn't in human natur for
her to keep her seat, and that gal rides like an angel; but the mustang
throwed her. Well, I sorter got in the way o' thet hoss, and it stopped.
Hevin' bin the cause o' the hoss shyin', for I reckon I didn't look much
like an angel lyin' in that ditch, it was about the only squar thing for
me to waltz in and help the gal. Thar, thet's about the way the thing
pints. Now, don't you go and hold that agin her!

Don Jose. Well, well! She was grateful. She has a strange fondness
for you Americans; and at her solicitation I gave you--YOU, an unknown
vagrant--employment here as groom. You comprehend, Diego. I, Don Jose
Castro, proprietor of this rancho, with an hundred idle vaqueros on my
hands,--I made a place for you.

Sandy (meditatively). Umph.

Don Jose. You said you would reform. How have you kept your word? You
were drunk last Wednesday.

Sandy. Thet's so.

Don Jose. And again last Saturday.

Sandy (slowly). Look yer, ole man, don't ye be too hard on me: that was
the same old drunk.

Don Jose. I am in no mood for trifling. Hark ye, friend Diego. You have
seen, perhaps,--who has not?--that I am a fond, an indulgent father. But
even my consideration for my daughter's strange tastes and follies has
its limit. Your conduct is a disgrace to the rancho. You must go.

Sandy (meditatively). Well, I reckon, perhaps I'd better.

Don Jose (aside). His coolness is suspicious. Can it be that he expects
the girl will follow him? Mother of God! perhaps it has been already
planned between them. Good! Thank Heaven I can end it here. (Aloud.)
Diego!

Sandy. Old man.

Don Jose. For my daughter's sake, you understand,--for her sake,--I am
willing to try you once more. Hark ye! My daughter is young, foolish,
and romantic. I have reason to believe, from her conduct lately, that
she has contracted an intimacy with some Americano, and that in her
ignorance, her foolishness, she has allowed that man to believe that he
might aspire to her hand. Good! Now listen to me. You shall stay in her
service. You shall find out,--you are in her confidence,--you shall find
out this American, this adventurer, this lover if you please, of the
Dona Jovita my daughter; and you will tell him this,--you will tell
him that a union with him is impossible, forbidden; that the hour she
attem