"'--one of those who lisp--and it is said of him that he has of his
uncle's hand a map, or the like, which shows where the treasure
lies buried at Rose Ranch. This news comes to my mother's ears by
round-about. We do not know for sure. But Juan Sivello is one bad
man like his uncle, Lobarto. It is the truth I write with this pen.
Juan has collected together, it is said round-about, some men who
once rode the ranges with Lobarto, and they go up into your
country. For what? It is too easy, Miss. It is--'"

"Oh! Oh!" giggled Bess. "What delicious slang!"

"I guess foreigners learn American slang before they learn the
grammar," laughed Rhoda.

"What else, Rhoda?" cried Grace.

"It is to search out the treasure buried so long ago by Lobarto. If
the map Juan has is true, he will find it. Then my mother will lose
forever what Lobarto stole from our hacienda. Is it not possible
that the Senor Hammond, thy father, should get soldiers of the
Americano army, and round up those bad Mexicanos and Juan Sivello,
take from him the map and find the treasure? My mother will pay
much dinero for reward.

"'Believe me, Senorita R. Hammond, your much good friend,

"'JUANITA O'HARRA.'

"She doesn't sound at all as she talked that day she caught me in
the woods, Nan," added Rhoda with a laugh.