teps, cautious and stealthy, would tell of an "appointment," even
were this not already known to them. Her whole bearing is that of one
on the way to meet a lover; and the sight of Walt Wilder, who now rises
erect to receive her, proclaims him to be the man.

It might appear strange that she does not shy back, on seeing him in
company with another man. She neither starts nor shows any shyness;
evidence that the presence of the third party is a thing understood and
pre-arranged.

She advances without show of timidity; and, curtseying to the "Senor
Francisco," as she styles Hamersley, takes seat upon the log from which
he has arisen; Walt laying hold of her hand and gallantly conducting her
to it.

There is a short interregnum of silence. This Conchita's sweetheart
endeavours to fill up with a series of gestures that might appear
uncouth but for the solemnity of the occasion. So considered, they may
be deemed graceful, even dignified.

Perhaps not thinking them so himself, Walt soon seeks relief by turning
to his interpreter, and making appeal to him as follows--

"Doggone it, Frank! Ye see I don't know how to talk to her, so you do
the palaverin. Tell her right off, what I want. Say I hain't got much
money, but a pair o' arems strong enuf to purtect her, thro' thick an'
thro' thin, agin the dangers o' the mountain an' the puraira, grizzly
bars, Injuns, an' all. She sees this chile hev got a big body; ye kin
say to her thet his heart ain't no great ways out o' correspondence wi'
his karkidge. Then tell her in the eend, thet his body an' his hands
an' heart--all air offered to her; an' if she'll except 'em they shall
be hern, now, evermore, an' to the death--so help me God!"

As the hunter completes his proposal thus ludicrously, though
emphatically pronounced, he brings his huge hand down upon his brawny
breast with a slap like the crack of a cricket bat.

Whatever meaning the girl may make out of his words, she can have had no
doubt about their earnestness or sincerity, judging by the gestures that
accompany them.

Hamersley can scarce restrain his inclination to laugh; but with an
effort he subdues it, and faithfully, though not very literally,
translates the proposal into Spanish.

When, as Walt supposes, he has finished, the ex-Ranger rises to his feet
and stands awaiting the answer, his huge frame trembling like the leaf
of an aspen. He continues to shake all the while Conchita's response is
bein