lf haughtily to his full
slender height.

"You'll learn better, Pedro, before the week's out. You've got to stand
the gaff, just the same as a white boy would. You're in for a good
whaling, and there ain't any use getting heroic about it."

"I think not, Senor Gordon." There was a suggestion of repressed emotion
in the voice.

Dick turned sharply at the words. A lean, clean-built young fellow stood
beside the porch. He stepped up lightly, so that he was behind the chair
in which Pedro had been sitting. Seen side by side thus, there could be
no mistaking the kinship between the two Mexicans. Both were good
looking, both lean and muscular, both had a sort of banked volcanic
passion in their black eyes. Dangerous men, these slim swarthy youths,
judged Gordon with a sure instinct.

"You think not, Pedro Number 2," retorted the American lightly.

"My name is Pablo, Senor--Pablo Menendez," corrected the young man with
dignity.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Menendez. I was just telling your brother--if
Pedro is your brother--that I intend to wear out a buggy whip on him as
soon as his leg is well," explained Dick pleasantly.

"No. You have saved his life. It is yours. Take it." The black eyes of
the Mexican met steadily the blue-gray ones of the American.

"Much obliged, but I can't use it. As soon as I've tanned his hide I'm
through with Master Pedro," returned the miner carelessly.

He was turning away when Pablo stopped him. The musical voice was low
and clear. "Senor Gordon understands then. Pedro will pay. He will
endure shot for shot if the Senor wishes it. But no man living shall lay
a whip upon him."

Gordon shrugged his shoulders. "We shall see, my friend. The first time
I meet him after his leg is all right Master Pedro gets the licking he
needs."

"You are warned, _senor_."

Dick nodded and walked away, humming a song lightly.

The black eyes of the Mexicans followed him as long as he was in sight.
A passionate hatred burned in those of the elder brother. Those of Pedro
were full of a wistful misery. With all his heart he admired this man
whom he had yesterday tried to kill, who had to-day saved his life, and
in the next breath promised him a thrashing.

He gave him a grudging hero-worship, even while he hated him; for the
man trod the world with the splendor of a young god, and yet was an
enemy of the young mistress to whom he owed his full devotion. Pedro's
mind was made up.

If this Gordon laid a