Something in the man's manner aroused in me instant resentment. I was
the toiler in mud-stiffened overalls, he arrogant and supercilious in
broadcloth and linen.

"No," I said sourly, and, going on my way, heard him clattering up the
canyon.

It was about evening when I came onto a fine large plain. Behind me was
the canyon, gloomy like the lair of some evil beast, while before me the
sun was setting, and made the valley like a sea of golden glaze. I
stood, knight-errant-wise, on the verge of one of those enchanted lands
of precious memory, seeking the princess of my dreams; but all I saw was
a man coming up the trail. He was reeling homeward, with under one arm a
live turkey, and swinging from the other a demijohn of claret.

He would have me drink. He represented the Christmas spirit, and his
accent was Scotch, so I up-tilted his demijohn gladly enough. Then, for
he was very merry, he would have it that we sing "Auld Lang Syne." So
there, on the heath, in the golden dance of the light, we linked our
hands and lifted our voices like two daft folk. Yet, for that it was
Christmas Eve, it seemed not to be so mad after all.

There was my first orange grove. I ran to it eagerly, and pulled four of
the largest fruit I could see. They were green-like of rind and bitter
sour, but I heeded not, eating the last before I was satisfied. Then I
went on my way.

As I entered the town my spirits fell. I remembered I was quite without
money and had not yet learned to be gracefully penniless. However, I
bethought me of the time-cheque, and entering a saloon asked the
proprietor if he would cash it. He was a German of jovial face that
seemed to say: "Welcome, my friend," and cold, beady eyes that queried:
"How much can I get of your wad?" It was his eyes I noticed.

"No, I don'd touch dot. I haf before been schvindled. Himmel, no! You
take him avay."

I sank into a chair. Catching a glimpse of my face in a bar mirror, I
wondered if that hollow-cheeked, weary-looking lad was I. The place was
crowded with revellers of the Christmastide, and geese were being diced
for. There were three that pattered over the floor, while in the corner
the stage-driver and a red-haired man were playing freeze-out for one of
them.

I drowsed quietly. Wafts of bar-front conversation came to me. "Envelope
... lost plans ... great delay." Suddenly I sat up, remembering the
package I had found.

"Were you looking for some lost plans?" I asked.