Part 14 (1/2)
”My horse is a remarkable animal for speed and endurance, I must tell you frankly,” said the Senor gravely. ”He has no equal in this country of California. He has proved it more than once and against all comers.”
”He is certainly a fine horse,” admitted Jim, looking at the sorrel with admiring eyes. ”He has a splendid stride.”
”Ah, no, Senor,” laughed the Spaniard with a gleam of his white teeth, ”I did not mean him,” patting the horse on the neck, ”a good animal, indeed, but more for my little sister to ride than for me. Wait, my friend, until I introduce you to Don Fernando and then you will see a horse for the first time.”
”I should be very much pleased to see him,” said Jim, frankly curious and interested.
”Tomorrow,” said the Spaniard.
They had now turned into the narrow trail among the bushes and had only ridden a few steps when Jo called a sudden halt.
”What do you think, Jim, there's my horse and Tom's tied in that thicket.”
Sure enough there they were, utterly worn out, but with spirit enough to recognize their old comrades Jim and Jo, and if ever horses expressed a welcome these two did when they first caught sight of their two friends.
”They have cut the saddles to pieces, the brutes,” exclaimed Jo.
”I'm glad to get the horses,” said Jim, ”I am surprised that they didn't cut their throats.”
”They will follow us all right,” said Jo, in reply to the Spaniard's suggestion that they would have to be led, and they trotted along behind Jo, who was the last one in line.
”Do you know of any place where we could buy things?” asked Jim. ”We need a new outfit.”
”But we have no money,” put in Jo quickly.
”I will get the money or its equivalent today,” said Jim. ”If there is a store where the Senor can get me credit.”
”Yes, there is a store where a Portugee sells about everything that we need in this country,” replied the Spaniard. ”It is some distance to the north. We will ride there before we return to the ranch. There will be no difficulty about the credit,” he concluded, with a bow to Jim.
CHAPTER XVI
THE BOYS PUT ON STYLE
”You do not know my ability to spend,” said Jim, ”I may have to plunge to the extent of several hundred dollars. You see my brother has very expensive tastes. It will cost quite a small fortune when I buy him a complete trousseau including diamonds.”
”I will pledge my lands if necessary to get the young Senor diamonds,”
said the Spaniard laughingly.
In about an hour's time they came to a large one story frame building painted a rather light blue, which color had weathered a good deal. It had a square, false front with a sign on it that read, ”Mr. Gonsalves, General Trader.”
They hitched their horses to some well graveled posts, and went inside leaving Jo's and Tom's horses free to graze at will around, or to stand under the shelter of some drooping pepper tree across the road. The proprietor, a short, thick-set Portugee with a close trimmed black beard, and a gray slouch hat which he always wore, apparently, received them graciously. The contents of the store were entirely at their service,--if they paid for them.
”We will miss poor Tom here,” said Jo, ”he was always our purchasing agent.”
”And a mighty good one,” added Jim. ”Not even a Connecticut Yankee could get the best of him in a bargain.”
The Spaniard sat in a round armed wooden chair, gracefully smoking a cigarette, while his guests busied themselves making purchases. First the boys bought some new clothes, which they retired behind a counter to put on, and emerged in proper apparel for the plains.