p and down the room like an
animal. He was hot and disgusted. What was the use, after all? Why didn't
this young fellow, who had proved himself so brave and so worthy, show
signs of the red blood in him? No Mexican would have acted like this--no
Latin. He would make him get his happiness, if he had to die in the
attempt. Suddenly a crafty look came into his eyes. He came straight toward
Gilbert and snapped his fingers in his face.

"Bah!" he cried.

But all the young ranchman said was, "I'm sorry. You don't understand our
ways."

"Shut up!" Lopez was genuinely infuriated now. "Ees no use for talk wiz
such fools. You make me seek! Such ideas! Not fit for ze child to 'ave! No
blood, no courage! Only ze liver what are white and ze soul what are
yellow." Gilbert winced at the word. "Americans! Bah! Fishes! Zat is all!
Fishes what ees poor! Bah! For you I am finish!" And he snapped his fingers
again. His face was purple with rage.

He heard Gilbert murmuring only, "I'm sorry!"

"Sorry! Ees all you can say--sorry! Ze coward! Ze fool! Ze fish what are
poor! Ze damn doormat for everybody to walk from!" His arms were flying in
the air. "All day I 'ave try to make ze man from you! It are no use. Ees no
man in you. Only ze damn fool what are sorry! Bah! All right. You will not
let me make you 'appy? _Bueno!_ Zen I shall go back and make you on'appy
and serve you damn good right!" He pointed to Lucia. "You will not take
'er?"

Gilbert had stood still during this tirade. "I've tried to explain--" he
began once more.

"Bah!" cried Lopez. "Zen I take her!"

At last the American was roused. "You take her!" he cried.

"Sure! All day I 'ave want 'er. Ees ze first time in my life when I want
woman all day and not--as favor I give 'er to you. Now, since you too big
damn fool not to take 'er yourself, I take 'er myself. And what you know
about 'im?" He paused, and called out, "Pedro!"

Fearful at what might happen, Gilbert said, "Wait a minute." He thought
swiftly. "You mean this?"

Lopez did not even answer him, so deep and abiding was his disgust.
Instead, he said to his man, "Pedro, we go."

Gilbert watched his every motion. "You mean it?" he repeated.

Lopez laughed. "Everybody sink I am joker to-day. Pedro, take 'er," and
nodded toward the terrified Lucia.

Pedro started to obey.

"I'm damned if you do!" cried Gilbert. "All day you've been trying to make
me do things your way. I've had enough. This Mexican stuff may