encounter with the bear, and Adan's timely interference. Hill then shook
the hands of the two other boys, and told them that as long as he had a
roof above his head they could share it, and that he'd do anything to
help them but steal horses, so help him Bob. Roldan then told the tale
of the earthquake and stampede.

"Ugh!" exclaimed Hill, with a shudder. "That's one thing I can't abide--
your earthquakes. I tell you it's enough to take the grit outen a
grizzly to hear the land sliden on the mountain and the big redwoods
that has got their roots about the bed-rock come roarin' down. When an
earthquake comes I go and stand in the middle of the creek so as I can
see what's comin' all round. Once I was on the side of the mountain when
one of those shakes come and I slid down twenty feet before I could stop
myself. It's just the one thing that has happened to me that I can't
help thinkin' about. Well, what kin I do for you? You're welcome to stay
here, but this hut ain't no great shakes for such as you. Be you goin'
home, now that the conscription's over?"

"No!" said Roldan, emphatically, "we are not. There are other reasons
why we must go to Los Angeles as quickly as we can. Could you get us
three horses?"

"I could get them from the priest--"

"No! no!"

"Why, what's the row with the priest? Got in his black books? I
shouldn't like to do that myself."

"You said just now that you would do anything for us. Would you even