spread their broad tails, with two white feathers, balancing and
chirping cheerily.

A little valley through which an arroyo flowed, scantily bordered by low
growing willows, formed the scene; on one side was a stubble-field with
many cattle grazing on the new grass; there were a few dark oaks and
then on the first risings, yellow patches of vineyards with red,
ploughed ground dotted with manzanitas. The high hills which formed the
background were rough and black.

In the hollow at the foot of the mesa was a newly formed pond on which
floated branches of trees, bits of wood and some broken pieces of
household furniture; about the grass was strewn the same sort of drift
and the grass itself was torn and bent and there were yellow-white bits
of foam upon it. At one side wedged between two encina trees lay the
roof of a house, on the edge of which a little child was sitting beside
the body of a man, who lying with one arm hung listlessly over the side
seemed asleep or dead. The pond was fast lowering, leaving its burden of
debris scattered about.

This was the scene which met the searching eyes of Jovita of Tulucay
Rancho as, mounted on her horse, she came around the knoll which hid the
house and buildings of the rancho from the meadow.

Jovita quickly alighted, took up the child in her arms, and seeing that
he was unhurt but simply dazed at his situation, placed him upon her
horse and gave her attention to the man who lay there, to all
appearances dead.

"Unfortunate man," she said aloud, unable to repress her tears, "his