"He's one of those hard, obstinate Americans, Isidro--and his eyes,
they are bad eyes, I don't like them."

"Yes," Isidro concurred, who had not noticed the eyes at all.




CHAPTER IV


Charlie Menocal, who after his sleep had read a few chapters in a
novel, went out of the shaded room where he had reposed and into the
garden. There he discovered his father in talk with Joe García.

"What's going on?" he exclaimed. "Lost a horse, or a wife or
something, Joe?"

"No, Charlie; this is business," García said, with a grin.

Menocal continued to give his instructions to the latter. They had to
do with bringing a few hundred sheep from one of the bands feeding in
the hills. They were to be driven down on the mesa to graze, and kept
moving about near the Stevenson ranch house; García was to observe
what the young man there did, all he did, whom he saw, and as far as
possible where he went. Particularly was he to note if surveyors came
and set to work anywhere. If the young man appeared to be engaged at
any task on the mountain side, Joe was to approach with his sheep. And
he was to report everything he learned.