ich "tommyhawking" and
"shootin' chock full o' arrers" were the wildest. But, alas! Now
that their enemy was in their very power, they had no fiercer weapons
than four grimy little fists. Better these than nothing, was Ned's
instant decision, and Luis was but Ned's second thought. As Ned's
right descended upon Mr. Hale's shoulders, Luis' left delivered a
telling blow upon the gentleman's hand, uplifted toward his lips.
This was small assistance to the yellow-haired chief, for the spoon
fled straight from the victim's fingers and landed squarely in Ned's
face.

This created intense diversion. The blows intended for the guest were
now bestowed upon each other, and so impartially that neither side was
worsted. Mrs. Trent rose in her place, flushed and apologetic, though
the stranger was far more surprised than offended, while the sister had
once more appeared and terminated a battle almost before it was begun.
With a strength of which she did not look capable she caught up and
lifted a child into each of the two high chairs in waiting--but wisely
placed at opposite sides of the board. There they settled themselves
composedly, beaming and smiling upon each other like a pair of wingless
cherubs, while Ned thrust forth a tin basin and demanded:

"Give me my soup, mother."

"Gimmesoup!" echoed Luis, choking over a piece of bread he had filched
from Jessica's plate.

"Children!"

"Oh! Huh! Please give me my soup, mother."

"Plea' gimmesoup, _madr'_."

"Isn't your _madre_, Luis Garcia. Isn't nobody's mother but mine,
so there!"

"Humph!" remarked Jessica. "What about me?"

This set Ned off into a giggle, in which Luis dutifully joined, and the
laughter restored the best of feelings all around. The meal over, Mrs.
Trent offered the guest the use of a room in which to rest, and this he
gladly accepted; adding that he wished he might be able to make some
arrangement with her by which he could occupy it indefinitely, till
his health was restored and the business which had brought him to that
region was completed. Any terms she would make would be most satisfactory
to him, for he was charmed with Sobrante and most anxious to sojourn
there for a time.

Jessica was already clearing the table, yet watching her mother closely,
and was surprised to see a moment's hesitation on the dear face before
the expected and customary answer came:

"We are always glad to make our friends welcome at Sobrante, and for
as long as our si