and the use of
Carolina and three saddle-horses interest you, Mr. Farrel? From our
conversation of this morning, I judge you have abandoned hope of
redeeming the property, and during the year of the redemption period,
six thousand dollars might--ah--er--"

"Well, it would be better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick,"
Don Miguel replied genially. "I need the money; so I accept--but with
certain reservations. I like Carolina's cooking, too; I have a couple
of hundred head of cattle to look after, and I'd like to reserve one
room, my place at this table, and my position as master of Palomar. Of
course, I'm not so optimistic as to think you folks would accept of my
hospitality for a year, so I suggest that you become what our British
cousins call 'paying guests,' albeit I had never expected to fall low
enough to make such a dastardly proposition. Really, it abases me.
It's never been done before in this house."

"I declare you're the most comfortable young man to have around that I
have ever known. Isn't he, Kay?" Mrs. Parker declared.

"I think you're very kind," the girl assured him. "And I think it will
be very delightful to be paying guests to such a host, Don Mike Farrel."

"Then it's settled," Parker announced, much relieved.

"And let us here highly resolve that we shall always be good friends
and dwell together in peace," Kay suggested.

"I made that resolve when you met me at the gate last night, Miss
Parker. Hark! Methinks I hear a young riot. Well, we cannot possibly
have any interest in it, and, besides, we're talking business now. Mr.
Parker, there isn't the slightest hope of my earning sufficient money
to pay the mortgage you hold against this ranch of mine, so I have
resolved to gamble for it whenever and wherever I can. You have agreed
to pay me six thousand dollars, in return for which I guarantee to feed
you and your family and servants well, and house you comfortably and
furnish three saddle-horses, with saddles and bridles, for a period of
one year. Understand?"

"Understood."

Don Miguel Farrel took two dice out of his pocket and cuddled them in
his palm.

"I'll roll you the bones, one flop, twelve thousand dollars or nothing,
sir," he challenged.

"But if I win--"

"You want to know if I am in a position to support you all for one year
if I lose? I am. There are cattle enough on the ranch to guarantee
that."

"Well, while these little adventures are interesting, M