rk ye, little one! I have news
that will please you, and--who knows? perhaps break up the monotony of
the dull life of the rancho. To-night come to me two famous caballeros,
Americanos, you understand: they will be here soon, even now. Retire,
and make ready to receive them. [Exit JOVITA.

Don Jose (aside, looking at SANDY). He lingers. I shall not be satisfied
until Concho has seen him safely beyond the Mission wall.

Enter CONCHO.

Concho. Two caballeros have dismounted in the corral, and seek the honor
of Don Jose's presence.

Don Jose. Bueno! (Aside.) Follow that fellow beyond the Mission.
(Aloud.) Admit the strangers. Did they give their names?

Concho. They did, Don Jose,--Col. Culpepper Starbottle and the Don
Alexandro Morton.

Sandy (dropping glass of aguardiente, and staggering stupidly to the
centre, confronting DON JOSE and CONCHO, still holding bottle). Eh! Wot?
Wot name did you say? (Looks stupidly and amazedly at CONCHO and DON
JOSE, and then slowly passes his hand over his forehead. Then slowly
and apologetically.) I axes your pardon, Don Jose, and yours, sir (to
CONCHO), but I thought ye called me. No!--that ez--I mean--I mean--I'm
a little off color here (pointing to his head). I don't follow
suit--I--eh--eh! Oh!--ye'll pardon me, sir, but thar's names--perhaps
yer darter will remember that I was took a bit ago on a name--thar's
names sorter hangin' round me yer (pointing to his head), that I thinks
I hear--but bein' drunk--I hopes ye'll excoos me. Adios. (Staggers to
gateway, CONCHO following.)

Concho (aside). There is something more in this than Don Jose would have
known. I'll watch Diego, and keep an eye on Miss Jovita too.

Exit, following SANDY, who, in exit, jostles against COL. STARBOTTLE
entering, who stops and leans exhaustedly at the wall to get his breath;
following him closely, and oblivious of SANDY MORTON, ALEXANDER MORTON,
sen. Enter COL. STARBOTTLE and ALEXANDER MORTON, sen.

SCENE 2.--The Same.

Col. Starbottle (entering, to DON JOSE). Overlooking the
insult of--er--inebriated individual, whose menial position in
this--er--er--household precludes a demand for personal satisfaction,
sir, I believe I have the honor of addressing Don Jose Castro. Very
good, sir. Permit me, sir, to introduce myself as Col. Culpepper
Starbottle--demn me! the legal adviser of Mr. Alexander Morton,
sen., and I may add, sir, the friend of that gentleman, and as such,
sir--er--er--personally--p