"Some man. I'd like to have met him," Gordon commented.

"Señorita Valencia is of the same blood, of the same fine courage. She,
too, is the idol of her people. Will Mr. Gordon, who is himself of the
brave heart, make trouble for an unprotected child without father or
mother?"

"Unprotected isn't quite the word so long as Don Manuel Pesquiera is her
friend," the Coloradoan answered with a smile.

The dark young man flushed, but his eyes met those of Dick steadily.
"You are right, sir. I stand between her and trouble if I can."

"Good. Glad you do."

"So I make you an offer. I ask you to relinquish your shadowy claim to
the illegal Moreño grant."

"Well, I can't tell you offhand just what I'll do, Don Manuel. Make your
proposition to me in writing, and one month from to-day I'll let you
know whether it's yes or no."

"But the _señorita_ wants to make improvements--to build, to fence.
Delay is a hardship. Let us say a thousand dollars and make an end."

"Not if the court knows itself. You say she's young. A month's wait
won't hurt her any. I want to look into it. Maybe you're offering me too
much. A fifth of a cent an acre is a mighty high price for land. I don't
want any fairest daughter of Spain to rob herself for me, you know," he