"Youmustreturnontheinstant！MotherofGod！Ihafforget，SHE
　　hafforget，WEallhafforget！Butyouhavenotseenhim！"
　　"Seenwhom？"
　　"Elnino，thebaby！Youcomprehend，pig！Thecriaturica，theleetlechildofourselfs！"
　　"Thebaby？"Isaidconfusedly。"ISthere——isthereaBABY？"
　　"Youhearhim？"saidEnriquez，sendinganappealingvoiceupward。
　　"Youhearhim，Urania？Youcomprehend。Thisbeastofaleetlebrotherdemandsifthereeesone！"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"Isaid，hurriedlyreascendingthestairs。OnthelandingImetMrs。Saltillo，butascalm，composed，andpreciseasherhusbandwasextravagantandvehement。"ItwasanoversightofEnriquez’s，"shesaidquietly，reenteringtheroomwithus；"andwasallthemorestrange，asthechildwasintheroomwithyouallthetime。"
　　Shepointedtothecornerofthewall，wherehungwhatIhadbelievedtobeanoldIndianrelic。Tomyconsternation，itWASabark"papoose-case，"occupiedbyaLIVINGchild，swathedandbandagedaftertheapprovedIndianfashion。Itwasasleep，I
　　believe，butitopenedapairofbrighthuckleberryeyes，setinthesmallestoffeatures，thatwerelikethoseofacarvedivoryidol，anduttereda"coo"atthesoundofitsmother’svoice。Shestoodononesidewithunruffledcomposure，whileEnriquezthrewhimselfintoanattitudebeforeit，withclaspedhands，asifithadbeenanimageoftheHolyChild。Formyself，Iwastooastoundedtospeak；luckily，myconfusionwasattributedtotheinexperienceofabachelor。
　　"Ihaveadopted，"saidMrs。Saltillo，withthefaintesttouchofmaternalprideinhermanner，"whatIamconvincedistheonlynaturalandhygienicmodeoftreatingthehumanchild。Itmaybesaidtobeareversiontotheaborigine，butIhaveyettolearnthatitisnotsuperiortoourcivilizedcustom。Bythesebandagesthelimbsoftheinfantarekeptinproperpositionuntiltheyarestrongenoughtosupportthebody，andsuchathingasmalformationisunknown。Itisprotectedbyitscradle，whichtakestheplaceofitsincubating-shell，fromexternalinjury，theinjudiciouscoddlingofnurses，theso-called’dancings’andperniciousrockings。Thesupineposition，asintheadult，isimposedonlyatnight。Bytheaidofthisstrapitmaybecarriedonlongjourneys，eitherbymyselforbyEnriquez，whothusshareswithme，ashefullyrecognizes，itsequalresponsibilityandburden。"
　　"It——certainlydoesnot——cry，"Istammered。
　　"Crying，"saidMrs。Saltillo，withacurveofherprettyredlip。
　　"istheprotestofthechildagainstinsanitaryandartificialtreatment。Initsupright，unostentatiouscradleitisprotectedagainstthatinjudiciousfondlinganddangerouspromiscuousosculationtowhich，asaninfantinhumanarms，itissooftensubjected。Aboveall，itiskeptfromthatshamelessandmortifyingpublicitysounjusttotheweakandunformedanimal。
　　Thechildrepaysthisconsiderationbyagratifyingsilence。Itcannotbeexpectedtounderstandourthoughts，speech，oractions；
　　itcannotparticipateinourpleasures。Whyshoulditbeforcedintoprematurecontactwiththem，merelytofeedourvanityorselfishness？Whyshouldweassumeourparticularparentalaccidentassuperiortothecommonlot？Ifwedonotgiveouroffspringthatprominencebeforeourvisitorssocommontotheyoungwifeandhusband，itisforthatreasonsolely；andthismayaccountforwhatseemedtheforgetfulnessofEnriquezinspeakingofitorpointingitouttoyou。AndIthinkhisactionincallingyoubacktoseeitwassomewhatprecipitate。Asonedoesnotusuallyintroduceanunknownandinferiorstrangerwithoutsomepreviousintroduction，hemighthaveaskedyouifyouwishedtoseethebabybeforeherecalledyou。"
　　IlookedfromUrania’sunfathomableeyestoEnriquez’simpenetrablecountenance。Imighthavebeenequaltoeitherofthemalone，buttogethertheywereinvincible。Ilookedhopelesslyatthebaby。
　　Withitssharplittleeyesandcomposedface，itcertainlywasamarvelousminiatureofEnriquez。Isaidso。
　　"Itwouldbesingularifitwasnot，"saidMrs。Saltillodryly；
　　"andasIbelieveitisbynomeansanuncommonfactinhumannature，itseemstomestrangethatpeopleshouldinsistuponitasadiscovery。Itisaninheritance，however，thatinduetimeprogressandsciencewillnodoubtinterrupt，totheadvancementofthehumanrace。IneednotsaythatbothEnriquezandmyselflookforwardtoitwithconfidenttranquillity。"
　　Therewasclearlynothingformetodonowbuttoshakehandsagainandtakemyleave。YetIwassomuchimpressedwiththeunrealityofthewholescenethatwhenIreachedthefrontdoorIhadastrongimpulsetoreturnsuddenlyandfallinuponthemintheirrelaxedandnaturalattitudes。Theycouldnotkeepupthisposebetweenthemselves；andIhalfexpectedtoseetheirlaughingfacesatthewindow，asIglancedupbeforewendingmyperilouswaytothestreet。
　　IfoundMrs。Saltillo’smanuscriptwellwrittenand，inthenarrativeparts，evengraphicandsparkling。Isuppressedsomegeneralremarksontheuniverse，andsomecorrelativetheoriesofexistence，asnotappertainingparticularlytotheAztecs，andasnotmeetinganyunquenchablethirstforinformationonthepartofthereadersofthe"DailyExcelsior。"Ievenpromotedmyfaircontributortothepositionofhavingbeencommissioned，atgreatexpense，tomaketheMexicanjourneyespeciallyforthe"Excelsior。"
　　This，withMrs。Saltillo’ssomewhatprecisepreraphaelitedrawingsandwater-colors，vilelyreproducedbywoodcuts，gavequiteasensationalairtoherproduction，which，dividedintoparts，fortwoorthreedaysfilledawholepageofthepaper。Iamnotawareofanyparticularservicethatitdidtoethnology；but，asI
　　pointedoutintheeditorialcolumn，itshowedthatthepeopleofCaliforniawerenotgivenoverbymaterialgreedtotheexclusionofintellectualresearch；andasitwasattackedinstantlyinlongcommunicationsfromoneortwoscientificmen，itthusproducedmorecopy。
　　Briefly，itwasaboomfortheauthorandthe"DailyExcelsior。"I
　　shouldadd，however，thatarivalnewspaperintimatedthatitwasalsoaboomforMrs。Saitillo’sHUSBAND，andcalledattentiontothefactthatadesertedMexicanmine，knownas"ElBolero，"wasdescribedgraphicallyintheAztecarticleamongthenews，andagainappearedintheadvertisingcolumnsofthesamepaper。I
　　turnedsomewhatindignantlytothefileofthe"Excelsior，"and，singularlyenough，foundintheelaborateprospectusofanewgold-
　　miningcompanythedescriptionoftheElBoleromineasaQUOTATION
　　fromtheAztecarticle，withextraordinaryinducementsfortheinvestmentofcapitalintheprojectedworkingofanoldmine。IfIhadhadanydifficultyinrecognizingintheextravagantstyletheflamboyanthandofEnriquezinEnglishwriting，Imighthavereadhisnameplainlyenoughdisplayedaspresidentofthecompany。
　　Itwasevidentlytheprospectusofoneoftheventureshehadshownme。Iwasmoreamusedthanindignantatthelittletrickhehadplayeduponmyeditorialastuteness。Afterall，ifIhadthusbenefitedtheyoungcoupleIwassatisfied。Ihadnotseenthemsincemyfirstvisit，asIwasverybusy，——mycommunicationswithMrs。Saltillohadbeencarriedonbylettersandproofs，——andwhenIdidfinallycallattheirhouse，itwasonlytofindthattheywerevisitingatSanJose。Iwonderedwhetherthebabywasstillhangingonthewall，or，ifhewastakenwiththem，whocarriedhim。
　　AweeklaterthestockofElBolerowasquotedatpar。Morethanthat，anincomprehensibleactivityhadbeengiventoallthedesertedMexicanmines，andpeoplebegantolookupscriphithertothrownasideasworthless。WhetheritwasoneofthoseextraordinaryfeverswhichattackedCalifornianspeculationintheearlydays，orwhetherEnriquezSaltillohadinfectedthestock-marketwithhisownextravagance，Ineverknew；butplansaswild，inventionsasfantastic，andargumentsasillogicalaseveremanatedfromhisownbrain，weresetforth"on’Change"withagravityequaltohisown。
　　Themostreasonablehypothesiswasthatitwastheeffectofthewell-knownfactthattheSpanishCalifornianhithertohadnotbeenaminingspeculator，norconnectedinanywaywiththegoldproductiononhisnativesoil，deemingitinconsistentwithhispatriarchallifeandlandeddignity，andthatwhena"sonofoneoftheoldestSpanishfamilies，identifiedwiththelandanditspeculiarcharacterforcenturies，lenthimselftoitsmineralexploitations，"——IbegtosaythatIamquotingfromtheadvertisementinthe"Excelsior，"——
　　"itwasaguerdonofsuccess。"ThiswassofartruethatinaweekEnriquezSaltillowasrich，andinafairwaytobecomeamillionaire。
　　ItwasahotafternoonwhenIalightedfromthestiflingWingdamcoach，andstooduponthecool，deepverandaoftheCarquinezSpringsHotel。AfterIhadshakenoffthedustwhichhadlazilyfollowedus，inourdescentofthemountainroad，likearedsmoke，occasionallyoverflowingthecoachwindows，IwentuptotheroomI
　　hadengagedformybriefholiday。Iknewtheplacewell，althoughIcouldseethatthehotelitselfhadlatelybeenredecoratedandenlargedtomeettheincreasingrequirementsoffashion。Iknewtheforestofenormousredwoodswhereonemightloseone’sselfinafiveminutes’walkfromtheveranda。Iknewtherockytrailthatclimbedthemountaintothesprings，twistingbetweengiantboulders。Iknewthearidgarden，deepinthewaysidedust，withitshurriedlyplantedtropicalplants，alreadywitheringinthedryautumnsunshine，andwashedintofictitiousfreshness，nightandmorningbythehydraulicirrigating-hose。Iknew，too，thecool，reposefulnightwindsthatsweptdownfrominvisiblesnow-crestsbeyond，withthehangingoutofmonstrousstars，thattoooftenfailedtobringreposetothefeverishguests。FortheoverstrainedneuroticworkerswhofledhitherfromthebakingplainsofSacramento，orfromthechillsea-fogsofSanFrancisco，neverlostthefierceunrestthathaddriventhemhere。
　　Unaccustomedtoleisure，theirenforcedidlenessimpelledthemtoseekexcitementinthewildestgayeties；thebracingmountainaironlyreinvigoratedthemtopursuepleasureastheyhadpursuedtheoccupationstheyhadleftbehind。Theirsolerecreationswerefuriousdrivesoverbreak-neckroads；mad，scamperingcavalcadesthroughthesedatewoods；gamblingpartiesinprivaterooms，wherelargesumswerelostbycapitalistsonleave；champagnesuppers；
　　andimpromptuballsthatlastedthroughthecalm，reposefulnighttothefirstraysoflightonthedistantsnowline。Unimaginativemen，intheirtemporarysojourntheymoreoftenoutragedordispossessednatureinherownfastnessesthancourtedherforsympathyorsolitude。Therewereplaying-cardsleftlyingbehindboulders，andemptychampagnebottlesforgotteninforestdepths。
　　Irememberedallthiswhen，refreshedbyabath，Ileanedfromthebalconyofmyroomandwatchedthepullingupofabrake，drawnbysixdusty，foam-bespatteredhorses，drivenbyanotedcapitalist。
　　Asitshot，perspiring，closelyveiledyetburning-facedfairoccupantsdescended，inallthedazzlinggloryofsummertoilets，andIsawthegentlemenconsulttheirwatcheswithsatisfaction，andcongratulatetheirtriumphantdriver，Iknewthecharacteristicexcitementtheyhadenjoyedfroma"recordrun，"probablyforabet，overamountainroadinaburningsun。
　　"Notbad，eh？Forty-fourminutesfromthesummit！"
　　Thevoiceseemedatmyelbow。Iturnedquickly，torecognizeanacquaintance，ayoungSanFranciscobroker，leaningfromthenextbalconytomine。Butmyattentionwasjustthenpreoccupiedbythefaceandfigure，whichseemedfamiliartome，ofawomanwhowasalightingfromthebrake。
　　"Whoisthat？"Iasked；"thestraightslimwomaningray，withthewhiteveiltwistedroundherfelthat？"
　　"Mrs。Saltillo，"heanswered；"wifeof’ElBolero’Saltillo，don’tyouknow。Mightyprettywoman，ifsheisalittlestiffishandsetup。"
　　ThenIhadnotbeenmistaken！"IsEnriquez——isherhusband——here？"
　　Iaskedquickly。
　　Themanlaughed。"Ireckonnot。Thisistheplaceforotherpeople’shusbands，don’tyouknow。"
　　Alas！IDIDknow；andasthereflasheduponmeallthemiserablescandalsandgossipconnectedwiththisreckless，frivolouscaravansary，Ifeltlikeresentinghissuggestion。Butmycompanion’snextwordsweremoresignificant：——
　　"Besides，ifwhattheysayistrue，Saltillowouldn’tbeverypopularhere。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"Isaidquickly。
　　"Why，afterallthatrowhehadwiththeElBoleroCompany。"
　　"Ineverheardofanyrow，"Isaid，inastonishment。
　　Thebrokerlaughedincredulously。"Come！andYOUanewspaperman！
　　Well，maybetheyDIDtrytohushitup，andkeepitoutofthepapers，onaccountofthestock。Butitseemshegotupareg’larshindywiththeboard，oneday；called’emthievesandswindlers，andallowedhewasdisgracinghimselfasaSpanishhidalgobyhavinganythingtodowith’em。Talked，theysay，aboutCharlesV。
　　ofSpain，orsomeotherroyalgaloot，givinghisancestorsthelandintrust！Cleanoffhishead，Ireckon。Thenshuntedhimselfoffthecompany，andsoldout。Youcanguesshewouldn’tbeverypopulararoundhere，withJimBestley，there，"pointingtothecapitalistwhohaddriventhebrake，"whousedtobeontheboardwithhim。No，sir。Hewaseitherlyinglowforsomething，orwasoffhishead。Thinkofhisthrowingupaplacelikethat！"
　　"Nonsense！"Isaidindignantly。"Heismercurial，andhasthequickimpulsivenessofhisrace，butIbelievehimassaneasanywhosatwithhimontheboard。Theremustbesomemistake，oryouhaven’tgotthewholestory。"Nevertheless，Ididnotcaretodiscussanoldfriendwithamereacquaintance，andIfeltsecretlypuzzledtoaccountforhisconduct，inthefaceofhispreviousclevernessinmanipulatingtheElBolero，andtheundoubtedfascinationhehadpreviouslyexercisedoverthestockholders。Thestoryhad，ofcourse，beengarbledinrepetition。IhadneverbeforeimaginedwhatmightbetheeffectofEnriquez’speculiareccentricitiesuponmatter-of-factpeople，——Ihadfoundthemonlyamusing，——andthebroker’ssuggestionannoyedme。However，Mrs。
　　Saltillowashereinthehotel，andIshould，ofcourse，meether。
　　Wouldshebeasfrankwithme？
　　Iwasdisappointedatnotfindingherinthedrawing-roomorontheveranda；andtheheatbeingstillunusuallyoppressive，Istrolledouttowardtheredwoods，hesitatingforamomentintheshadebeforeIranthefierygauntletofthegarden。Tomysurprise，I
　　hadscarcelypassedthegiantsentinelsonitsoutskirtsbeforeI
　　foundthat，fromsomeunusualconditionoftheatmosphere，thecoldundercurrentofairwhichgenerallydrewthroughthesepillaredaisleswaswithheldthatafternoon；itwasabsolutelyhotterthanintheopen，andthewoodwaschargedthroughoutwiththeacridspicesofthepine。Iturnedbacktothehotel，reascendedtomybedroom，andthrewmyselfinanarmchairbytheopenwindow。Myroomwasneartheendofawing；thecornerroomattheendwasnexttomine，onthesamelanding。Itscloseddoor，atrightanglestomyopenone，gaveuponthestaircase，butwasplainlyvisiblefromwhereIsat。Irememberedbeinggladthatitwasshut，asitenabledmewithoutoffensetokeepmyowndooropen。
　　Thehousewasveryquiet。Theleavesofacatalpa，acrosstheroadway，hungmotionless。Somebodyyawnedontheverandabelow。I
　　threwawaymyhalf-finishedcigar，andclosedmyeyes。IthinkI
　　hadnotlostconsciousnessformorethanafewsecondsbeforeIwasawakenedbytheshakingandthrillingofthewholebuilding。AsI
　　staggeredtomyfeet，Isawthefourpictureshangingagainstthewallswingoutwardlyfromitontheircords，andmydoorswingbackagainstthewall。Atthesamemoment，acteduponbythesamepotentialimpulse，thedooroftheendroominthehall，oppositethestairs，alsoswungopen。InthatbriefmomentIhadaglimpseoftheinterioroftheroom，oftwofigures，amanandawoman，thelatterclingingtohercompanioninabjectterror。Itwasonlyforaninstant，forasecondthrillpassedthroughthehouse，thepicturesclatteredbackagainstthewall，thedooroftheendroomclosedviolentlyonitsstrangerevelation，andmyowndoorswungbackalso。Apprehensiveofwhatmighthappen，Isprangtowardit，butonlytoarrestitaninchortwobeforeitshouldshut，when，asmyexperiencehadtaughtme，itmightstickbythesubsidenceofthewalls。Butitdidstickajar，andremainedfirmlyfixedinthatposition。Fromtheclatteringoftheknoboftheotherdoor，andthesoundofhurriedvoicesbehindit，Iknewthatthesamethinghadhappenedtherewhenthatdoorhadfullyclosed。
　　Iwasfamiliarenoughwithearthquakestoknowthat，withthesecondshockorsubsidenceoftheearth，theimmediatedangerwaspassed，andsoIwasabletonotemoreclearlywhatelsewaspassing。Therewastheusualsuddenstampedeofhurryingfeet，thesolitaryoathandscream，thehalf-hystericallaughter，andsilence。Thenthetumultwasreawakenedtothesoundofhighvoices，talkingalltogether，ortheimpatientcallingofabsenteesinhallsandcorridors。ThenIheardthequickswishoffemaleskirtsonthestaircase，andoneofthefairguestsknockedimpatientlyatthedooroftheendroom，stillimmovablyfixed。Atthefirstknocktherewasasuddencessationofthehurriedwhisperingsandturningofthedoorknob。
　　"Mrs。Saltillo，areyouthere？Areyoufrightened？"shecalled。
　　"Mrs。Saltillo"！ItwasSHE，then，whowasintheroom！Idrewnearermydoor，whichwasstillfixedajar。Presentlyavoice，——
　　Mrs。Saltillo’svoice，——withaconstrainedlaughinit，camefrombehindthedoor："Notabit。I’llcomedowninaminute。"
　　"Do，"persistedthewould-beintruder。"It’sallovernow，butwe’reallgoingoutintothegarden；it’ssafer。"
　　"Allright，"answeredMrs。Saltillo。"Don’twait，dear。I’llfollow。Runaway，now。"
　　Thevisitor，whowasevidentlystillnervous，wasgladtohurryaway，andIheardherretreatingsteponthestaircase。Therattlingofthedoorbeganagain，andatlastitseemedtoyieldtoastrongerpull，andopenedsufficientlytoallowMrs。Saltillotosqueezethrough。Iwithdrewbehindmydoor。Ifanciedthatitcreakedasshepassed，asif，noticingitajar，shehadlaidaninquiringhanduponit。Iwaited，butshewasnotfollowedbyanyone。IwonderedifIhadbeenmistaken。Iwasgoingtothebell-
　　ropetosummonassistancetomovemyowndoorwhenasuddeninstinctwithheldme。Iftherewasanyonestillinthatroom，hemightcomefromitjustastheservantansweredmycall，andapublicdiscoverywouldbeunavoidable。Iwasright。Inanotherinstantthefigureofaman，whosefaceIcouldnotdiscern，slippedoutoftheroom，passedmydoor，andwentstealthilydownthestaircase。
　　Convincedofthis，Iresolvednottocallpublicattentiontomybeinginmyownroomatthetimeoftheincident；soIdidnotsummonanyone，but，redoublingmyefforts，Iatlastopenedthedoorsufficientlytopassout，andatoncejoinedtheotherguestsinthegarden。Already，withcharacteristicrecklessnessandaudacity，theearthquakewasmadelightof；theonlydictateofprudencehadresolveditselfintoahilariousproposalto"campout"inthewoodsallnight，andhavea"torch-lightpicnic。"Eventhenpreparationswerebeingmadeforcarryingtents，blankets，andpillowstotheadjacentredwoods；dinnerandsupper，cookedatcampfires，weretobeservedthereonstumpsoftreesandfallenlogs。TheconvulsionofnaturehadbeenusedasanexcuseforoneofthewildestfreaksofextravagancethatCarquinezSpringshadeverknown。PerhapsthatquicksenseofhumorwhichdominatestheAmericanmaleinexigenciesofthiskindkepttheextravagancesfrombeingmerelybizarreandgrotesque，anditwaspresentlyknownthatthehotelanditsmenageweretobeappropriatelyburlesquedbysomeoftheguests，who，attiredasIndians，wouldpersonatethestaff，fromtheoracularhotelproprietorhimselfdowntothesmarthotelclerk。
　　DuringthesearrangementsIhadachanceofdrawingnearMrs。
　　Saltillo。Ifanciedshegaveaslightstartassherecognizedme；
　　buthergreetingsweregivenwithherusualprecision。"Haveyoubeenherelong？"sheasked。
　　"Ihaveonlyjustcome，"Irepliedlaughingly；"intimefortheshock。"
　　"Ah，youfeltit，then？Iwastellingtheseladiesthatoureminentgeologist，ProfessorDobbs，assuredmethattheseseismicdisturbancesinCaliforniahaveaveryremotecentre，andareseldomserious。"
　　"Itmustbeverysatisfactorytohavethesupportofgeologyatsuchamoment，"Icouldnothelpsaying，thoughIhadnottheslightestideawhosethefigurewasthatIhadseen，nor，indeed，hadIrecognizeditamongtheguests。Shedidnotseemtodetectanysignificanceinmyspeech，andIadded："AndwhereisEnriquez？
　　Hewouldenjoythisproposedpicnicto-night。"
　　"EnriquezisatSalvatierraRancho，whichhelatelyboughtfromhiscousin。"
　　"Andthebaby？Surely，hereisachanceforyoutohanghimuponaredwoodtonight，inhiscradle。"
　　"Theboy，"saidMrs。Saltilloquickly，"isnolongerinhiscradle；
　　hehaspassedthepupastate，andisnowfreetodevelophisownperfectedlimbs。Heiswithhisfather。Idonotapproveofchildrenbeingsubmittedtotheindiscriminateattentionsofahotel。Iamheremyselfonlyforthatsupplyofozoneindicatedforbrainexhaustion。"
　　Shelookedsoprettyandpriminhergraydress，solikeheroldcorrectself，thatIcouldnotthinkofanythingbuthermentalattitude，whichdidnot，bytheway，seemmuchlikementaldepression。YetIwasawarethatIwasgettingnoinformationofEnriquez’sconditionoraffairs，unlessthewholestorytoldbythebrokerwasanexaggeration。Ididnot，however，daretoaskmoreparticularly。
　　"YourememberProfessorDobbs？"sheaskedabruptly。
　　Thisrecalledasuspicionawakenedbymyvision，sosuddenlythatI
　　feltmyselfblushing。Shedidnotseemtonoticeit，andwasperfectlycomposed。
　　"Idorememberhim。Ishehere？"
　　"Heis；thatiswhatmakesitsoparticularlyunfortunateforme。
　　Yousee，afterthataffairoftheboard，andEnriquez’swithdrawal，althoughEnriquezmayhavebeenalittleprecipitateinhisenergeticway，Inaturallytookmyhusband’spartinpublic；foralthoughwepreserveourownindependenceinviolable，webelieveinabsoluteconfederationasagainstsociety。"
　　"ButwhathasProfessorDobbstodowiththeboard？"Iinterrupted。
　　"Theprofessorwasscientificandgeologicaladvisertotheboard，anditwasuponsomereportorsuggestionofhisthatEnriqueztookissue，againstthesentimentoftheboard。ItwasaprincipleaffectingEnriquez’sSpanishsenseofhonor。"
　　"Dotellmeallaboutit，"Isaideagerly；"Iamveryanxioustoknowthetruth。"
　　"AsIwasnotpresentatthetime，"saidMrs。Saltillo，rebukingmyeagernesswithagentlefrigidity，"Iamunabletodoso。Anythingelsewouldbemerehearsay，andmoreorlessexparte。Idonotapproveofgossip。"
　　"ButwhatdidEnriqueztellyou？Yousurelyknowthat。"
　　"THAT，beingpurelyconfidential，asbetweenhusbandandwife，——
　　perhapsIshouldsaypartnerandpartner，——ofcourseyoudonotexpectmetodisclose。EnoughthatIwassatisfiedwithit。I
　　shouldnothavespokentoyouaboutitatall，butthat，throughmyselfandEnriquez，youareanacquaintanceoftheprofessor’s，andImightsaveyoutheawkwardnessofpresentingyourselfwithhim。Otherwise，althoughyouareafriendofEnriquez，itneednotaffectyouracquaintancewiththeprofessor。"
　　"Hangtheprofessor！"Iejaculated。"Idon’tcarearapforHIM。"
　　"ThenIdifferwithyou，"saidMrs。Saltillo，withprecision。"Heisdistinctlyanableman，andonecannotbutmissthecontactofhisoriginalmindandhisliberalteachings。"
　　Hereshewasjoinedbyoneoftheladies，andIloungedaway。I
　　daresayitwasverymeanandveryillogical，buttheunsatisfactorycharacterofthisinterviewmademerevertagaintothesingularrevelationIhadseenafewhoursbefore。IlookedanxiouslyforProfessorDobbs；butwhenIdidmeethim，withanindifferentnodofrecognition，IfoundIcouldbynomeansidentifyhimwiththefigureofhermysteriouscompanion。AndwhyshouldIsuspecthimatall，inthefaceofMrs。Saltillo’sconfessedavoidanceofhim？
　　Who，then，couldithavebeen？Ihadseenthembutaninstant，intheopeningandtheshuttingofadoor。Itwasmerelytheshadowybulkofamanthatflittedpastmydoor，afterall。CouldIhaveimaginedthewholething？Weremyperceptivefaculties——justarousedfromslumber，tooinsufficientlycleartobereliedupon？
　　WouldInothavelaughedhadUrania，orevenEnriquezhimself，toldmesuchastory？
　　AsIreenteredthehoteltheclerkhandedmeatelegram。"There’sbeenaprettybigshakealloverthecountry，"hesaideagerly。
　　"Everybodyisgettingnewsandinquiriesfromtheirfriends。
　　Anythingfresh？"HepausedinterrogativelyasItoreopentheenvelope。Thedispatchhadbeenredirectedfromtheofficeofthe"DailyExcelsior。"Itwasdated，"SalvatierraRancho，"andcontainedasingleline："Comeandseeyourolduncle’Ennery。"
　　TherewasnothinginthewordingofthemessagethatwasunlikeEnriquez’susuallight-heartedlevity，butthefactthatheshouldhaveTELEGRAPHEDittomestruckmeuneasily。ThatIshouldhavereceiveditatthehotelwherehiswifeandProfessorDobbswerebothstaying，andwhereIhadhadsuchasingularexperience，seemedtomemorethanamerecoincidence。AninstinctthatthemessagewassomethingpersonaltoEnriquezandmyselfkeptmefromimpartingittoMrs。Saltillo。Afterworryinghalfthenightinourbizarrecampintheredwoods，inthemidstofarestlessfestivitywhichwasscarcelythereposeIhadbeenseekingatCarquinezSprings，IresolvedtoleavethenextdayforSalvatierraRancho。Irememberedtherancho，——alow，golden-brown，adobe-
　　walledquadrangle，sleepinglikesomemonstrousruminantinahollowoftheContraCostaRange。Irecalled，inthemidstofthisnoisypicnic，theslumberouscoolnessofitslongcorridorsandsoundlesscourtyard，andhaileditasarelief。Thetelegramwasasufficientexcuseformyabruptdeparture。InthemorningIleft，butwithoutagainseeingeitherMrs。Saltilloortheprofessor。
　　ItwaslatethenextafternoonwhenIrodethroughthecanadathatledtotherancho。Iconfessmythoughtsweresomewhatgloomy，inspiteofmyescapefromthenoisyhotel；butthiswasduetothesombrescenerythroughwhichIhadjustridden，andthemonotonousrussetoftheleaguesofwildoats。AsIapproachedtherancho，I
　　sawthatEnriquezhadmadenoattempttomodernizetheoldcasa，andthateventhegardenwasleftinitslawlessnativeluxuriance，whiletherudetiledshedsnearthewalledcorralcontainedtheoldfarmingimplements，unchangedforacentury，eventotheox-carts，thewheelsofwhichweremadeofasingleblockofwood。Afewpeons，instripedshirtsandvelvetjackets，weresunningthemselvesagainstawall，andnearthemhungahalf-drainedpellejo，orgoatskinwater-bag。TheairofabsoluteshiftlessnessmusthavebeenrepellenttoMrs。Saltillo’sorderlyprecision，andforamomentIpitiedher。ButitwasequallyinconsistentwithEnriquez’senthusiasticideasofAmericanprogress，andtheextravagantdesignshehadoftenimpartedtomeoftheimprovementshewouldmakewhenhehadafortune。Iwasfeelinguneasyagain，whenIsuddenlyheardtherapidclackofunshodhoofsonarockytrailthatjoinedmyown。Atthesameinstantahorsemandashedpastmeatfullspeed。Ihadbarelytimetoswervemyownhorseasidetoavoidacollision，yetinthatbriefmomentIrecognizedthefigureofEnriquez。ButhisfaceIshouldhavescarcelyknown。
　　Itwashardandfixed。Hisupperlipandthin，penciledmustacheweredrawnupoverhisteeth，whichwerelikeawhitegashinhisdarkface。Heturnedintothecourtyardoftherancho。Iputspurstomyhorse，andfollowed，innervousexpectation。HeturnedinhissaddleasIentered。Butthenextmomentheboundedfromhishorse，and，beforeIcoulddismount，flewtomysideandabsolutelyliftedmefromthesaddletoembraceme。ItwastheoldEnriquezagain；hisfaceseemedtohaveutterlychangedinthatbriefmoment。
　　"Thisisallverywell，oldchap，"Isaid；"butdoyouknowthatyounearlyranmedown，justnow，withthatinfernalhalf-brokenmustang？Doyouusuallychargethecasaatthatspeed？"
　　"Pardon，myleetlebrother！Buthereyoushallslipup。ThemustangisnotHALF-broken；heisnotbrokeatall！Lookathishoof——neverhaveashoebeenthere。Formyself——attendme！WhenI
　　ridealone，Ithinkmooch；whenIthinkmoochIthinkfast；myideahegolikeacannon-ball！Consequent，ifIridenottheeshorselikethecannon-ball，mythoughtHEarrivefirst，andwhereareyou？Yougetleft！BelievemethatIflytheeshorse，theesoldMexicanplug，andyourde’uncle’Enneryandhisleetleoldideaarriveallthesametime，andontheinstant。"
　　ItWAStheoldEnriquez！Iperfectlyunderstoodhisextravagantspeechandillustration，andyetforthefirsttimeIwonderedifothersdid。
　　"Tak’-a-drink！"hesaid，allinoneword。"YoushallpossesstheoldBourbonortherhumfromtheSantaCruz！Nameyourpoison，gentlemen！"
　　Hehadalreadydraggedmeupthestepsfromthepatiototheveranda，andseatedmebeforeasmallroundtablestillcoveredwiththechocolateequipageofthemorning。Alittledried-upoldIndianwomantookitaway，andbroughtthespiritsandglasses。
　　"Mirartheleetleoldone！"saidEnriquez，withunflinchinggravity。"Considerher，Pancho，tothebloosh！SheisnottrulyanAztec，butsheisofyearsonehundredandone，andLIFS！
　　Possiblyshehafnotthebeautywhichravishes，whichdevastates。
　　Butsheshallattentyoutothehotwater，tothebath。Thusshallyoubeprotect，myleetlebrother，fromscandal。"
　　"Enriquez，"Iburstoutsuddenly，"tellmeaboutyourself。WhydidyouleavetheElBoleroboard？Whatwastherowabout？"
　　Enriquez’seyesforamomentglittered；thentheydancedasbefore。
　　"Ah，"hesaid，"youhaveheard？"
　　"Something；butIwanttoknowthetruthfromyou。"
　　Helightedacigarette，liftedhimselfbackwardintoagrasshammock，onwhichhesat，swinginghisfeet。Then，pointingtoanotherhammock，hesaid："Tranquillizeyourselfthere。Iwillrelate；but，truly，iteesnothing。"
　　Hetookalongpullathiscigarette，andforafewmomentsseemedquietlytoexudesmokefromhiseyes，ears，nose，evenhisfinger-
　　ends——everywhere，infact，buthismouth。Thatandhismustacheremainedfixed。Thenhesaidslowly，flickingawaytheasheswithhislittlefinger：——
　　"Firstyouunderstand，friendPancho，thatImakenorow。Theotherthemselfmaketherow，theshindig。Theymakethedance，thehowl，thesnapofthefinger，theoath，the’Helenblazes，’the’Wotthedevil，’the’Thatbed——d，’thebadlanguage；theythemselvesfingertherevolver，advancethebowie-knife，throwoffthecoat，squareoff，andsay’Comeon。’Iremainasyouseemenow，littlebrother——tranquil。"Helightedanothercigarette，madehispositionmorecomfortableinthehammock，andresumed："TheProfessorDobbs，whoisthegeologianofthecompany，madeareportforwhichhegottwothousanddollar。Buttheesreport——lookyou，friendPancho——heisnotgoodforthemine。ForintheholeinthegroundtheProfessorDobbshavefounda’hoss。’"
　　"Awhat？"Iasked。
　　"Ahoss，"repeatedEnriquez，withinfinitegravity。"Butnot，leetlePancho，thehossthatrun，thehossthatbuck-jump，butwhattheminercalla’hoss，’asomethingthatrearupintheveinandstophim。Youpickaroundthehoss；youpickunderhim；sometimesyoufindthevein，sometimesyoudonot。Thehossrearup，andremain！Eeteesnotgoodforthemine。Theboardsay，’D——-thehoss！’’Getridofthehoss。’’Chuckoutthehoss。’Thentheytalktogether，andonesaytotheProfessorDobbs：’Eefyoucannottheeshossremovefromthemine，youcantakehimoutofthereport。’Helooktome，theesprofessor。Iseenothing；Iremaintranquil。Thentheboardsay：’Theesreportwiththehossinhimisworthtwothousanddollar，butWITHOUTthehossheisworthfivethousanddollar。Forthestockholderisfrightedoftherearinghoss。Itisofanecessitythatthestockholdershouldremaintranquil。Withoutthehossthereportisgood；thestockshallerrise；thedirectorshallsellout，andleavethestockholderthehosstoplaywith。’Theprofessorhesay，’Al-right；’hescratchoutthehoss，signhisname，andgetacheckforthreethousanddollar。"
　　"ThenIerrise——so！"Hegotupfromthehammock，suitingtheactiontotheword，andduringtherestofhisnarrative，I
　　honestlybelieve，assumedthesameattitudeanddeliberateintonationhehadexhibitedattheboard。IcouldevenfancyIsawthereckless，cynicalfacesofhisbrotherdirectorsturneduponhisgrim，impassivefeatures。"Iamtranquil。Ismokemycigarette。Isaythatforthreehundredyearmyfamilyhaveheldthelandoftheesmine；thatitpassfromfathertoson，andfromsontoson；itpassbygift，itpassbygrant，butthatNEVARRE
　　THEREPASSALIEWITHIT！IsayitwasagiftbyaSpanishChristiankingtoaChristianhidalgoforthespreadofthegospel，andnotforthecheatandtheswindle！Isaythatthisminewasworkedbytheslave，andbythemule，bytheass，butneverbythecheatandswindler。Isaythatiftheyhavestruckthehossinthemine，theyhavestruckahossINTHELAND，aSpanishhoss；ahossthathavenobridleworthfivethousanddollarinhismouth，butahosstorear，andahossthatcannotbestruckoutbyaYankeegeologian；andthathossisEnriquezSaltillo！"
　　Hepaused，andlaidasidehiscigarette。
　　"Thentheysay，’Dryup，’and’Sellout；’andthegreatbankerssay，’Nameyourownpriceforyourstock，andresign。’AndIsay，’Thereisnotenoughgoldinyourbank，inyourSanFrancisco，intheminesofCalifornia，thatshallbuyaSpanishgentleman。WhenIleave，Ileavethestockatmyback；Ishalltakeit，nevarre！
　　Thenthebankerhesay，’Andyouwillgoandblab，Isuppose？’Andthen，Pancho，Ismile，Ipickupmymustache——so！andIsay：
　　’Pardon，senor，youhafmistake，TheSaltillohafforthreehundredyearnostain，noblotuponhim。Eetisnotnow——thelastoftherace——whoshallconfessthathehafsitataboardofdisgraceanddishonor！’Andthenitisthatthebandbegintoplay，andtheanimalsstandontheirhindlegandwaltz，andbehold，therowhehafbegin！"
　　Iranovertohim，andfairlyhuggedhim。Butheputmeasidewithagentleandphilosophicalcalm。"Ah，eetisnothing，Pancho。Itis，believeme，allthesameahundredyearstocome，andwhereareyou，then？Theearthheturnround，andthencomeeltemblor，theearthquake，andthereyouare！Bah！eetisnotoftheboardthatI
　　haveaskedyoutocome；itissomethingelseIwouldtellyou。Goandwashyourselfoftheesjourney，myleetlebrother，asIhave"——
　　lookingathisnarrow，brown，well-bredhands——"washmyselfoftheboard。Beverycarefuloftheleetleoldwoman，Pancho；donotwinktoheroftheeye！Consider，myleetlebrother，foronehundredandoneyearhehafbeenasanun，asaint！Disturbnothertranquillity。"
　　Yes，itwastheoldEnriquez；butheseemedgraver，——ifIcouldusethatwordofoneofsuchpersistentgravity；onlyhisgravityheretoforehadsuggestedacertainironyratherthanamelancholywhichInowfanciedIdetected。Andwhatwasthis"somethingelse"
　　hewasto"tellmelater"？DiditrefertoMrs。Saltillo？Ihadpurposelywaitedforhimtospeakofher，beforeIshouldsayanythingofmyvisittoCarquinezSprings。Ihurriedthroughmyablutionsinthehotwater，broughtinabronzejarontheheadofthecentenarianhandmaid；andevenwhileIwassmilingoverEnriquez’scautionregardingthisagedRuth，IfeltIwasgettingnervoustohearhisnews。
　　Ifoundhiminhissitting-room，orstudy，——along，lowapartmentwithsmall，deepwindowslikeembrasuresintheouteradobewall，butglazedinlightlyupontheveranda。Hewassittingquiteabstractedly，withapeninhishand，beforeatable，onwhichanumberofsealedenvelopeswerelying。HelookedSOformalandmethodicalforEnriquez。
　　"Youliketheoldcasa，Pancho？"hesaidinreplytomypraiseofitsstudiousandmonasticgloom。"Well，myleetlebrother，somedaythatisfair——whoknows？——itmaybeatyourdisposicion；notofourpoliteness，butofatruth，friendPancho。For，ifIleaveittomywife"——itwasthefirsttimehehadspokenofher——"formyleetlechild，"headdedquickly，"Ishallputinabond，anobligacion，thatmyfriendPanchoshallcomeandgoashewill。"
　　"TheSaltillosarealong-livedrace，"Ilaughed。"Ishallbeagray-hairedman，withahouseandfamilyofmyownbythattime。"
　　ButIdidnotlikethewayhehadspoken。
　　"Quiensabe？"heonlysaid，dismissingthequestionwiththenationalgesture。Afteramomentheadded："Ishalltellyousomethingthatisstrrange，sostrrangethatyoushallsay，likethebankersay，’TheesEnriquez，heeesoffhishead；heeesacrank，alunatico；’butiteesaFACT；believeme，Ihavesaid！"
　　Herose，and，goingtotheendoftheroom，openedadoor。Itshowedaprettylittleroom，femininelyarrangedinMrs。Saltillo’srefinedtaste。"Eetispretty；eetistheroomofmywife。Bueno！
　　attendmenow。"Heclosedthedoor，andwalkedbacktothetable。
　　"Ihavesithereandwritewhentheearthquakearrive。Ihavefeeltheshock，thegrindofthewallsonthemselves，thetremor，thestagger，and——that——door——heswingopen！"
　　"Thedoor？"Isaid，withasmilethatIfeltwasghastly。
　　"Comprehendme，"hesaidquickly；"iteesnotTHATwhicheesstrrange。Thewalllift，thelockslip，thedoorhefellopen；itisfrequent；itcomessoeverwhentheearthquakecome。Buteetisnotmywife’sroomIsee；itisANOTHERROOM，aroomIknownot。
　　MywifeUrania，shestandthere，ofafear，ofatremble；shegrasp，sheclingtosomeone。Theearthshakeagain；thedoorshut。
　　Ijumpfrommytable；Ishakeandtumbletothedoor。Iflinghimopen。Maravilloso！itistheroomofmywifeagain。SheisNOT
　　there；itisempty；itisnothing！"
　　Ifeltmyselfturninghotandcoldbyturns。Iwashorrified，and——
　　andIblundered。"Andwhowastheotherfigure？"Igasped。
　　"Who？"repeatedEnriquez，withapause，afixedlookatme，andasublimegesture。"WhoSHOULDitbe，butmyself，EnriquezSaltillo？"
　　AterriblepremonitionthatthiswasachivalrousLIE，thatitwasNOThimselfhehadseen，butthatourtwovisionswereidentical，cameuponme。"Afterall，"Isaid，withafixedsmile，"ifyoucouldimagineyousawyourwife，youcouldeasilyimagineyousawyourselftoo。IntheshockofthemomentyouthoughtofHER
　　naturally，forthenshewouldasnaturallyseekyourprotection。
　　Youhavewrittenfornewsofher？"
　　"No，"saidEnriquezquietly。
　　"No？"Irepeatedamazedly。
　　"Youunderstand，Pancho！Eefitwasthetrickofmyeyes，whyshouldIaffrightherforthethingthatisnot？Ifitisthetruth，anditarrivetoME，asawarning，whyshallIaffrightherbeforeitcome？"
　　"BeforeWHATcomes？Whatisitawarningof？"Iaskedimpetuously。
　　"Thatweshallbeseparated！ThatIgo，andshedonot。"
　　Tomysurprise，hisdancingeyeshadaslightfilmoverthem。"I
　　don’tunderstandyou，"Isaidawkwardly。
　　"Yourheadisnotofalevel，myPancho。Theesearthquakeheremainforonlytenseconds，andheflingopenthedoor。Ifheremainfortwentyseconds，heflingopenthewall，thehoosetoomble，andyourfriendEnriquezisfeenish。"
　　"Nonsense！"Isaid。"Professor——Imeanthegeologists——saythatthecentreofdisturbanceoftheseCalifornianearthquakesissomefar-awaypointinthePacificandthereneverwillbeanyseriousconvulsionshere。"
　　"Ah，thegeologist，"saidEnriquezgravely，"understandthehossthatrearinthemine，andthefivethousanddollar，believeme，nomore。Hehaflifherethreeyear。Myfamilyhaflifherethreehundred。MygrandfathersawtheearthswallowthechurchofSanJuanBaptista。"
　　Ilaughed，until，lookingup，Iwasshockedtoseeforthefirsttimethathisdancingeyesweremoistandshining。Butalmostinstantlyhejumpedup，anddeclaredthatIhadnotseenthegardenandthecorral，and，linkinghisarminmine，sweptmelikeawhirlwindintothepatio。Foranhourortwohewasinhisoldinvinciblespirits。IwasgladIhadsaidnothingofmyvisittoCarquinezSpringsandofseeinghiswife；Ideterminedtoavoiditaslongaspossible；andashedidnotagainrefertoher，exceptinthepast，itwasnotdifficult。Atlastheinfectedmewithhisextravagance，andforawhileIforgoteventhestrangenessofhisconductandhisconfidences。Wewalkedandtalkedtogetherasofold。Iunderstoodandenjoyedhimperfectly，anditwasnotstrangethatintheendIbegantobelievethatthisstrangerevelationwasabitofhisextravagantacting，gotuptoamuseme。
　　Thecoincidenceofhisstorywithmyownexperiencewasnot，afterall，suchawonderfulthing，consideringwhatmusthavebeenthenervousandmentaldisturbanceproducedbytheearthquake。Wedinedtogether，attendedonlybyPedro，anoldhalf-castebody-
　　servant。Itwaseasytoseethatthehouseholdwascarriedoneconomically，and，fromawordortwocasuallydroppedbyEnriquez，itappearedthattheranchoandasmallsumofmoneywereallthatheretainedfromhisformerfortunewhenhelefttheElBolero。
　　Thestockhekeptintact，refusingtotakethedividenduponituntilthatcollapseofthecompanyshouldoccurwhichheconfidentlypredicted，whenhewouldmakegoodtheswindledstockholders。Ihadnoreasontodoubthisperfectfaithinthis。
　　ThenextmorningwewereupearlyforabreezygallopoverthethreesquaremilesofEnriquez’sestate。Iwasastounded，whenI
　　descendedtothepatio，tofindEnriquezalreadymounted，andcarryingbeforehim，astrideofthehornofhissaddle，asmallchild，——theidenticalpapooseofmymemorablefirstvisit。Buttheboywasnolongerswathedandbandaged，although，forsecurity，hisplumplittlebodywasengirtbythesamesashthatencircledhisfather’sownwaist。Ifeltastirringofself-reproach；Ihadforgottenallabouthim！Tomysuggestionthattheexercisemightbefatiguingtohim，Enriquezshruggedhisshoulders：——
　　"Believeme，no！HeiseverwithmewhenIgoonthepasear。Heisnottooyonge。Forheshalllearn’torride，toshoot，andtospeakthetruth，’evenasthePersianchile。EeteesallIcangiftohim。"
　　Nevertheless，Ithinktheboyenjoyedit，andIknewhewassafewithsuchanaccomplishedhorsemanashisfather。Indeed，itwasafinesighttoseethembothcareeringoverthebroadplain，Enriquezwithjinglingspursandwhirlingriata，andtheboy，withafaceascomposedashisfather’s，andhistinyhandgraspingtheendoftheflappingreinwithatouchscarcelylighterthantheskillfulrider’sown。Itwasalovelymorning；thoughwarmandstill，therewasafainthaze——ararethinginthatclimate——onthedistantrange。Thesun-bakedsoil，aridandthirstyfromthelongsummerdrought，andcrackedintolongfissures，brokeintopuffsofdust，withaslightdetonationlikeapistol-shot，ateachstrokeofourpoundinghoofs。Suddenlymyhorseswervedinfullgallop，almostlosthisfooting，"broke，"andhaltedwithbracedforefeet，tremblingineverylimb。IheardashoutfromEnriquezatthesameinstant，andsawthathetoohadhaltedaboutahundredpacesfromme，withhishandupliftedinwarning，andbetweenusalongchasminthedryearth，extendingacrossthewholefield。Butthetremblingofthehorsecontinueduntilitcommunicateditselftome。Iwasshaking，too，and，lookingaboutforthecause，whenI
　　beheldthemostweirdandremarkablespectacleIhadeverwitnessed。Thewholellano，orplain，stretchingtothehorizon-
　　line，wasDISTINCTLYUNDULATING！Thefainthazeofthehillswasrepeatedoveritssurface，asifadusthadarisenfromsomegrindingdisplacementofthesoil。Ithrewmyselffrommyhorse，butthenextmomentwasfaintoclingtohim，asIfeltthethrillundermyveryfeet。Thentherewasapause，andIliftedmyheadtolookforEnriquez。Hewasnowheretobeseen！Withaterriblerecollectionofthefissurethathadyawnedbetweenus，Isprangtothesaddleagain，andspurredthefrightenedbeasttowardthatpoint。BUTITWASGONE，TOO！IrodebackwardandforwardrepeatedlyalongthelinewhereIhadseenitonlyamomentbefore。
　　Theplainlaycompactanduninterrupted，withoutacrackorfissure。Thedustyhazethathadarisenhadpassedasmysteriouslyaway；theclearoutlineofthevalleyreturned；thegreatfieldwasempty！
　　PresentlyIwasawareofthesoundofgallopinghoofs。Irememberedthen——whatIhadatfirstforgotten——thatafewmomentsbeforewehadcrossedanarroyo，ordriedbedofastream，depressedbelowthelevelofthefield。HowfoolishthatIhadnotremembered！Hehadevidentlysoughtthatrefuge；therewerehisreturninghoofs。I
　　gallopedtowardit，butonlytomeetafrightenedvaquero，whohadtakenthatavenueofescapetotherancho。
　　"DidyouseeDonEnriquez？"Iaskedimpatiently。
　　Isawthattheman’sterrorwasextreme，andhiseyeswerestaringintheirsockets。Hehastilycrossedhimself：——
　　"Ah，God，yes！"
　　"Whereishe？"Idemanded。
　　"Gone！"
　　"Where？"
　　Helookedatmewithstaring，vacanteyes，and，pointingtotheground，saidinSpanish："Hehasreturnedtothelandofhisfathers！"
　　Wesearchedforhimthatdayandthenext，whenthecountrywasarousedandhisneighborsjoinedinaquestthatproveduseless。
　　Neitherhenorhisinnocentburdenwaseverseenagainofmen。
　　Whetherhehadbeenengulfedbymischanceinsomeunsuspectedyawningchasminthatbriefmoment，orhadfulfilledhisownprophecybydeliberatelyerasinghimselfforsomepurposeknownonlytohimself，nooneeverknew。Hiscountry-peopleshooktheirheadsandsaid"itwaslikeaSaltillo。"Andthefewamonghisretainerswhoknewhimandlovedhim，whisperedstillmoreominously："HewillyetreturntohislandtoconfoundtheAmericanos。"
　　YetthewidowofEnriquezdidNOTmarryProfessorDobbs。ButshetoodisappearedfromCalifornia，andyearsafterwardIwastoldthatshewaswellknowntotheingenuousParisiansastheusualwealthywidow"fromSouthAmerica。"