"Most of them think we have benefited by Lobarto's stealings,"
sighed Rhoda. "You see, there is much hard feeling on the side of
the Mexicans against the Americans. Even the Mexicans born on our
side of the Border are not really Americans. They never learn to
speak much English, and it makes them clannish and suspicious of
English speaking people."

"And how fierce they are!" murmured Nan.

"Juanita would have struck you. Scratched your face, maybe."

"Well, that is only their excitable way. Perhaps she did not really
intend to strike me," Rhoda said. "I do wish we could help her and
her mother. Somehow, I am sorry for the poor thing."

"Let's get up a searching party when we get to Rose Ranch," said
Bess excitedly, "and find that old treasure."

"Wouldn't that be great!" Nan agreed. "But I am afraid if after six
years all that plunder hasn't been found, we shouldn't be likely to
find it."

"Oh, it's been searched for," Rhoda assured them. "Time and time
again. There have been as many men who believed they could find it
as ever hunted for the old Pegleg Mine--and that is famous."

"Never say die!" said Bess, nodding her curly head. "I'm going to
hunt for it myself."

This raised a laugh; yet every member of the little party,