have already sent warning to them of your attempted desertion. A
fortnight or less will find you relieved, and the only safety in
store for you is to go forward. Now your employer is going to my
camp for the night, and may not see you again before this herd
reaches the Platte. Remember, Don Felipe, that the opportunity is
yours to regain your prestige as a corporal--and you need it
after to-day's actions. What would Don Dionisio say if he knew
the truth? And do you ever expect to face your friends again at
Los Olmus? From a trusted corporal back to a sheep-shearer would
be your reward--and justly."

Cederdall, Wolf, and myself shook hands with several vaqueros,
and mounting our horses we started for my camp, taking the
stranger with us. Only once did he offer any protest to going.
"Very well, then," replied G--G, unable to suppress his contempt,
"go right back. I'll gamble that you sheathe a knife before
morning if you do. It strikes me you don't sabe Mexicans very
much."

Around the camp-fire that night, the day's work was reviewed. My
rather drastic treatment of the corporal was fully commented upon
and approved by the outfit, yet provoked an inquiry from the
irrepressible Parent. Turning to the questioner, Burl Van Vedder
said in dove-like tones: "Yes, dear, slapped him just to remind
the varmint that his feet were on the earth, and that pawing the
air and keening didn't do any good. Remember, love, there was the
living to be fed, the dead to bury, and the work in hand required
every man to do his duty. Now was there anything else you'd like
to know?"