-rching behind her like _soldats_!" He leaned back and
laughed heartily, his teeth gleaming like old ivory.

Hank grinned and glanced at Tom. "If she'd only lead 'em 'round th'
customs we'd think a hull lot more o' her. It riles me ter have ter pay
ter git our goods inter a town arter such hard work gittin' 'em _to_
it."

"Ah," replied Pedro, smiling broadly. "That ees thee law," he reproved
them. "But I deed not know you were going to Santa Fe, senores. Eet was
said somewhere, by somebody, I do not remember who, that you were going
to thee Senor Bent on thee Arkansas. To hunt and to tr-rap, was eet
not?"

Tom emptied his pipe and blew through the stem. "No," he said. "We're
goin' ter Santa Fe. After we sell th' goods we aim ter go up ter Bent's
for th' fall an' winter huntin' an' trappin'. Takes a lot o' money ter
outfit two men th' way they should be, fer a hull season in the
mountains." He grinned. "That's why we're packin' goods ter Santa Fe.
Got to raise some money." Arising he nodded to his guest. "Now, if ye'll
excuse me, friend, I'll leave ye with Hank. See ye later, mebby?"

Pedro nodded and laughed heartily, wagging an accusing finger at the
young plainsman. "Ah, what should keep a br-rave _caballero_ from sooch
a senorita! Pedro has eyes, senor; an' Pedro, he weesh you ver' _mucho_
luck. He weesh you so ver' _mucho_ luck that per-rhaps he can get you
past those customs. Of thees we weel talk more, eh?"

Hank slapped his leg and pushed his plug of tobacco into the visitor's
hands. "Smoke some of that thar Virginny, friend," he urged. "Ye'll find
it some better than that thar husk, or willer bark you people smoke." He
looked at his partner and chuckled. "These hyar young fellers, now; thar
jest ain't no holdin' 'em."

Pedro thought that this particular young "feller" was going to be held
very securely before he saw Santa Fe, but he grinned and waved his hand,
and after Tom had disappeared among the wagons he turned toward the
hunter.

"Has Senor Boyd ever been een our Santa Fe?" he asked in polite
curiosity.

Hank nodded carelessly. "He war thar some years back."

"Perhaps then I can show heem a new way to thee city," said Pedro,
significantly. "One that my br-rother knows ver' good. Thee knowledge of
thees tr-rail ees of _mucho_ less cost than thee customs that you an' me
like so leetle. But of thees we weel talk more some other time. I must
leeve you, senor. _Adios._"

"_Adios_, senor," beamed Ha