nks of the neighboring mission. In the corners stood squat, earthen
water-jars of Mexican molding. On the adobe walls were hung trophies
of the hunt; war-bonnets and the crudely made adornments of the Apaches.

Navajo blankets covered the window-seats, and were used as screens for
sets of shelves built into the spaces between the windows.

Polly carried in on a tray a large bowl of punch surrounded by glasses
and gourds. This was received with riotous demonstrations. She placed
it in the center of a table made of planks laid on trestles, and
assisted by the other girls, served the men liberally from the bowl.

The guests showed the effects of outdoor life and training. Their
gestures were full and free. The tones of their voices were
high-pitched, but they spoke more slowly than their Eastern cousins, as
if feeling the necessity, even when confined, of making every word
carry. No one lolled in his seat, but sat upright, as if still having
the feel of the saddle under him.

Toward women in all social gatherings, the cowboys act with exaggerated
chivalry, but, as Sage-brush would describe it, they "herd by their
lonesome." There is none of the commingling of sexes seen in the East.
At a dance the girls sit at one end of the room, the men group
themselves about the doorway until the music strikes up. Then each
will seize his partner after the boldest has made the first move. When
the dance-measure ends the cowboy will rarely escort partner to her
seat, but will leave her to find her way back to her chum, while he
moves sheepishly back to the doorway, to be received by his fellows
with slaps on the back and loud jests. At table cowboys carry on
little conversation with the girls. They talk amongst themselves, but
at the women. The presence of the girls leads them to play many pranks
on one another. The ice is long in breaking, for their habitual
reserve is not easily worn off. Later in the evening this shyness is
less marked.

As Jack and Echo entered the doorway, Parenthesis had arisen from his
seat at the head of table and was beginning: "Fellow citizens--"

Confused cries of "Sit down," "Let him talk!" greeted him.

Sage-brush held up his hand for silence: "Go ahead, Parenthesis," he
cried encouragingly.

Parenthesis climbed on a chair and put a foot on the table. This was
too much for the orderly soul of Mrs. Allen. "Take your dirty feet off
my tablecloth!" she commanded, making a threatening mov