olled
pie-crust and manufactured a pie that eventually had, for those
immediately concerned, historical significance.

The "little hombre," Chico Miguel, returning to his 'dobe that evening,
was greeted with a tide of explanatory utterances that swept him off
his feet. He was introduced to Sundown, apprised of the strange
guest's manifold accomplishments, and partook of the substantial
evidence of his skill until of the erstwhile generous pie there was
nothing left save tender reminiscence and replete satisfaction.

Later in the evening, when the Arizona stars glowed and shimmered on
the shadowy adobe, when the wide mesas grew mysteriously beautiful in
the soft radiance of the slow moon, Chico Miguel brought his guitar
from the bedroom, tuned it, and struck a swaying cadence from its
strings. Then Anita's voice, blending with the rhythm, made melody,
and Sundown sat entranced. Mood, environment, temperament, lent
romance to the simple song. Every singing string on the old guitar was
silver--the singer's girlish voice a sunlit wave of gold.

The bleak and almost barren lives of these isolated folk became
illumined with a reminiscent glow as the tinkling notes of the guitar
hushed to faint echoes of fairy bells hung on the silver boughs of
starlit trees. "Adios, linda Rosa," ran the song. Then silence, the
summer night, the myriad stars.

Sundown, turning his head, gazed spellbound at the dark-eyed singing
girl. In the dim light of the lamp she saw that his lean cheeks were
wet with tears.

CHAPTER XXI

ON THE MESA

With the morning sun came a brave, cloudless day and a more jovial mood
to Sundown as he explained the necessity for haste to the Concho.
Chico Miguel would gladly furnish horse and saddle. Juan Corlees was
of men the finest! Once upon a time, in fact, Chico Miguel had ridden
range for the father of Senor Corlees, but that was in years long past,
Ah, yes! Then there were no sheep in the country--nothing but cattle
and vaqueros. Would the caballero accept the loan of horse and saddle?
The horse could be returned at his convenience. And possibly--and here
Chico Miguel paused to roll a cigarette, light it, and smoke awhile
reflectively--and possibly the caballero would again make their humble
home beautiful with his presence. Such pie as the Senor made was a not
unworthy meal for the saints. Indeed, Chico Miguel himself had had
many pleasant dreams following their feast of the evening