aren't
you?"

"How'd you guess?"

"Lads of my own."

"Where?"

"Several thousand miles away, over the Atlantic coast."

"Why didn't you fetch 'em?"

"Couldn't afford it."

"Oh! couldn't you? H-m-m." Then he turned his attention to Pedro, with
the remark: "Why aren't you sick, like 'Tonio said? Making my sister
come way up here for nothing. Don't you dare do that again, I tell you.
You're just as well as ever, and I smell coffee. Come on, Luis!"

Catching his mate around the shoulders the boy rushed into the hut,
only to be as promptly banished from it. With a swiftness matching the
children's own, the shepherd had followed and caught the pair, a lad
in either hand, and flung them out of doors, exactly as one might a
couple of mischievous kittens. Evidently, what was permissible to "Lady
Jess" was forbidden these, though they were not at all disturbed by
their sudden ejection. Such incidents were too familiar, and, having
landed in one heap upon the ground, they immediately fell to wrestling
as if this were the business they had originally intended. Now the
black head of Spanish Luis was uppermost, now the sunnier one of Ned,
with a flying jumble of vari-colored hands and feet, till Pedro came
out and offered to each contestant a cup of cold, but well-sweetened
coffee.

This meant instant truce and they carried their treat to the bench
Mr. Hale had occupied, leaving him to stand or sit upon the ground,
as he preferred. He chose the latter and near enough to hear their eager
chatter, which was still full of indignation against the shepherd's
robust health.

"'Cause he ought to been dead, 'most. And my mother wanting Jess the
worst ever was. 'Cause Wun Lung cut hisself."

"Maybe Wun Lung die now, maybe," suggested Luis, with hopeful
heartlessness.

"Pshaw! No, he won't. Chinamen don't. You never saw one, Luis Garcia.
Hi! Look at Zulu. Hi! Keno, Keno, Keno! Oh, Wow!"

By a mutual impulse, Prince and the ostrich had put as wide a space
between themselves as possible, and the latter had strolled close to
Pedro's quiet flock before he had perceived it. This was evident, even
from the distance; but now up rose Keno, the collie, and with angry
yelps rushed fearlessly upon the great bird.

King Zulu hesitated but an instant before he turned his back upon his
assailant and made all speed over the bluff into the canyon below.

"Well, of all cowards! A creature that could have killed the dog with
one kick of hi