, almost reclining, with an air at once
graceful and haughty; it was evident to Derrick that she was a personage
of some importance, and he was not surprised to see the landlord whip
off his hat and bow low, with a gesture of extreme deference.

"Who is that?" asked Derrick, with an interest and curiosity which
surprised himself.

The landlord lifted his swarthy brows and, extending his huge hands with
an expression of pitying surprise, demanded of Derrick where he had come
from that he did not know Donna Elvira.

"The lady of the ranch?" said Derrick, excusing his deplorable ignorance
by explaining, as well as he could, that he had come from a distance.

"Donna Elvira of--all the senor sees!" exclaimed the landlord, with a
sweep of his hand which included all the earth in view. "The rich, the
all-powerful senora. Her _estancia_ is on the other side of the hill. It
is magnificent, superb, worthy of so great an Excelencia. The senor
should trouble himself so far as to view it. It was probable that her
Excellency might consent to see the senor, for it was well known that
the Donna Elvira was good to all strangers--especially foreigners," he
added, nodding encouragingly at Derrick.

Derrick declared himself grateful for the suggestion, and, with greater
interest, asked if he could be permitted to wash himself. With the
courtesy of his nation, the landlord led him to an outhouse provided
roughly with means of ablution, and Derrick enjoyed a thorough good
wash; then, feeling quite another man, he set off towards the ranch and
the house of the overseer.

Jose, the overseer, received Derrick with Spanish politeness, and
listened phlegmatically to his request for employment; and, in response,
informed Derrick that his experience was insufficient; and Derrick,
receiving the verdict, was limping away, when a little dog came bounding
down the road which wound from the great house to the overseer's lodge.
It yapped round Derrick's legs; then suddenly its bark turned to a
squeal and it held up one paw and regarded, with an eye of entreaty, the
face of the man at whom it had been yapping.

Derrick knew what had happened, and sought for the thing which had run
into its foot. He found the thorn, and, not being able to extract it
with his fingers, seated himself on the bank, and took out his
pen-knife. As he did so, the white-haired lady came, with stately step,
round the bend; she glanced at Derrick, but passed him and went to D