er to spite him), it
was at the time of the vintage. And, lo! all unexpectedly I was
overtaken even among the very clusters. So I went aside behind the
watcher's _cana_ huts.... And after I had washed the boy I went back
and finished my row. There are no such women in these days, El Sarria.
This of thine----"

"Peace, Giralda," said Ramon, sternly; "Dolores is as a dove, and weak
from long trouble of heart. On your head, I ask of you, could we move
her in twenty-four hours and yet risk nothing of the life?"

"Yes, as the Virgin sees me," asserted La Giralda, holding up her hands,
"if so be I have the firming of the bands about her--of linen wide and
strong they must be made--to be mine own afterwards. And then she must
be carried between four stout men, as I will show you how."

"It shall be done," cried Rollo. "I will find the men, do you provide
the linen, El Sarria. I will hie me to the convent early to-morrow
morning and talk with this little Concha!"

"You will not be admitted," said La Giralda, somewhat scornfully; "the
Mother Superior is most strict with all within the walls."

"But I shall ask for the Mother Superior," said the modest youth, "and,
gad! if I get only six quiet minutes of the old lady, I warrant she will
refuse me nothing--even to the half of her kingdom. Meantime, here we
are! Is it not so?"

The huge black circle of the mill-wheel rose before them against the
whitewash of the un-windowed wall. They could not see the mill-house
itself from this point, and they halted before going further, in order
to make their dispositions.

"What we are going to do is not strictly within the letter of the law,"
explained Rollo, cheerfully, "but it is the best I can think of, and
containing as it does the elements of justice, may commend itself as a
solution to all parties. If these Fernandez gentlemen kidnap other
men's wives, devise the murder of their children, and strive to have the
men themselves shot, they cannot very well complain of a little
illegality. This is the house. Well, it must be ours for twenty-four
hours--no more, no less. Then, if no accidents happen, we will return it
to Senor Luis Fernandez. All set? _Adelante_, then!"

And with Rollo in the van, El Sarria following a little behind and La
Giralda bolting the doors and generally protecting the rear, the party
of possession went upwards into the mill-house to argue the matter at
length with Senor Luis and his friend the Tia Elvira.