u'll see.
'Tisn't the first break I've patched, not by any means."

"Of course it isn't. Only last week in that stampede, when the boys
were changing pasture, the creatures ran against it and you fixed it,
good as new. There isn't anything you can't do with an ax and a few
nails."

John passed the compliment by unheeding.

"There's breaks and there's cuts. Reckon I can tell the difference
quick enough. This is a cut and isn't the first one I've found, I say.
'Twas a fresh-ground blade did this piece of deviltry, or I'm no judge
of edges. Now, who did it? Why? And how's old Pedro?"

Despite her faith in her friends, the small ranchwoman's heart sank.

"He--he--why, he isn't sick at all! I was sent up there on a fool's
errand, and just on plucking-day, when I was so needed at home. With Wun
Lung hurt and mother so busy, I ought to have a dozen pairs of hands.
Of course, I'm glad he's well, dear old fellow, but I shouldn't have
gone this morning if somebody hadn't told Antonio wrong. I met a
stranger on the trail, too, and Zulu scared his horse, and it stumbled
in a gopher hole or something and is lamed for ever so long. He'll
likely come to Sobrante, if he can get there, but he looked ill if Pedro
didn't, and the sun nearly overcame him. Can't I help you hold that
board?"

John accepted her offer of help less because he needed it than because
he always liked to have her near him.

"So 'twas Antonio sent you, eh? H-m-m!"

"He didn't send me. Course not. He just said somebody said Pedro was
dying."

The carpenter laughed, but his mirth was not pleasant.

"Queer how stories get mixed, even in this lonesome place. There; you
needn't hold that. Your little hands aren't so very strong, helpful
as they may be. This isn't any great of a job; it 'twould only stay,
once 'twas finished!"

"Then I'll go. Maybe I'd better send up one of the boys to help you.
Shall I? Who do you want?"

Upon the point of declining, the carpenter changed his mind.

"Yes, you may. I wish you would. Send Antonio."

"Send--Antonio! Why, I should as soon think of 'sending' that stranger
I told you about. You're teasing me, for you know well that Antonio is
the only one who ever 'sends' Antonio. Even my mother, who has a
right to 'send' everybody on the ranch whither she will, never orders
the manager. Well, good-by. You shall have a nice dinner out of the
house-kitchen to pay for your hard climb."

"Take care where you step in your hurry