to lighten the blow by saying: "But, my dear sir, this is indeed
evidence God is guarding you. That ranch has been a legacy of
contention and feud for generations. Besides, what good could you get
of it? Its nearest line to the town is six miles distant, and no life
or property would be safe there a fortnight. Far the best cattle ranch
in this section, a fourth of it irrigable, and as fine sugar-cane land
as one could find, do you fancy it would be tenantless as when God
first made it if safe for occupancy? Why, my dear sir, within the last
six months Juan Gaian's Lipans have killed no less than seventy of our
townsmen, some in their fields, some in the very suburbs of the town,
while Mescaleros are raiding a little lower down the river, and Nicanor
Rascon is apt to sweep down any day with his _bandidos_ and plunder
strong boxes and stores. It is with shame I admit it, for I, Don
Abran, am responsible for the peace and safety of this district. But,
_mil demonios_! what can I do with one troop of cavalry against bandits
ruthless as savages, and savages cunning as bandits?

"Oh! but if I only had horses! Those devils take remounts when they
like from the _remoudas_ of ranchers, but I, _carajo_! I am always
limited to my troop allotment.

"Burn a hundred candles to the Virgin, _amigo mio_, as a thank offering
for your deliverance, and wait and see what happens to the Scotchmen;
and while waiting, it will be my great pleasure to show you some of the
grandest cock-fighting you ever saw. Look at them! Beauties, are they
not? Purest blood in all Mexico! Kept me poor four years getting them
together! But now! Ah! now, it will not be long till they win me
ranches and _remoudas_!

"Ah! me. Time was not so very long ago when Abran de la Garza was
called the most dashing _jefe de tropa_ in the service, when senoritas
fell to him as alamo leaves shower down to autumn winds; when pride
consumed him, and ambition for a Division was burning in his brain.
But now this demon of a frontier has scorched and driven him till
naught remains to him but the chance of an occasional fruitless
skirmish, his thirst for mescal, his greed for _aguilas_, and his cocks
to win them! But, senor, bet no money against them, for it would
grieve me to win from a stranger introduced by my General."

Then, with a grave nod of friendly warning, he turned an affectionate
gaze upon his pets. Meantime, as if conscious of his pride in them,
th