Jose’s fingers fumbled the little corn-husk wrapping for the cigarette he meant to make.  “Senor, I repeat what I said to Manuel last night,” he said, after a pause.  “If all gringos were like you, we Californians would like the name better.  But I thought you would stand by your friend—­”

“And so I will, to the last—­” Not being of a theatrical temperament, Dade balked at protestations of his loyalty.  “Jack and I have worked and fought and played elbow to elbow for a long time, Don Jose.  But I don’t mix into his personal quarrels, unless I see him getting a crooked deal.  I believe you’ll fight fair.  The rest lies between you two.”

“But is it not your boast that the Senor Allen is the supreme caballero of California?” Jose was frank, at least, and Dade liked him the better for it.  “For three years I have held the medalla oro [gold medal] for riding and for riata throwing; if it is true that you boast—­”

Dade, as was the way of him when disgust or chagrin seized him, flung out both hands impatiently.  “I did say he couldn’t be beat.  I said it to Manuel, when Manuel was sneering that Jack didn’t know a good riata from a bad one.  I won’t take it back.  I haven’t seen your work in the saddle, Don Jose.  I have seen Jack’s, and I never saw any better.  So, until I do, I can believe he’s the best, can’t I?”

“Si.”  Jose smiled without effort.  “You are honest, Senor Hunter, and that pleases me well.  I do not like you less because you are loyal to your friend; but that friend I hope one day to kill.”  He looked at the other questioningly.  “Now I am honest also,” his eyes said plainly.

“That’s your affair and Jack’s, as long as you don’t try to get him when he isn’t looking.”

“I am not an assassin, Senor Hunter,” Jose retorted stiffly.

“Then we understand each other, I guess.  Let’s get these fellows started.  It’s going to be hot, they say, and the horses are soft yet—­at least, ours are.  We took them off pasture yesterday, most of them.”

“Mine are the same, Senor.  But to-day’s marcha will be an easy one.  To Sunal Rancho is not far.”  He turned to remount and give the signal for starting.  And with a little of the pride that had impelled Jack to show off his skill that day when the Captain of the Committee commanded him to mount the buckskin, Jose also vaulted into the saddle without deigning to touch the stirrup.

There was doubt in the senor’s mind about his horsemanship being the best in all California?  Very good.  The senor would have the opportunity to judge for himself.  Still, Jose had put to sleep most of his antagonism towards Dade, and his attitude of friendliness was not so deliberately forced as Manuel, watching eagerly for the first sign of a clash, believed it to be.

CHAPTER XV

WHEN CAMP-FIRES BLINK