Thus the winter passed, and as the limit of the young man’s vacation was near at hand, Wells wrote home pleading for more time, telling his friends how fast he was improving, and estimating that it would take at least six months more to restore him fully to his former health.  This request being granted, he contented himself by riding about the country, even visiting cattle ranches south on the Frio River.  Now and then he would ride into San Antonio for a day or two, but there was nothing new to be seen there, and his visits were brief.  He had acquired a sufficient knowledge of Spanish to get along now without an interpreter.

When the summer was well spent, he began to devise some excuse to give his parents for remaining another winter.  Accordingly he wrote his father what splendid opportunities there were to engage in cattle ranching, going into detail very intelligently in regard to the grasses on the tract and the fine opportunity presented for establishing a ranch.  The water privileges, the faithfulness of Tiburcio, and other minor matters were fully set forth, and he concluded by advising that they buy or start a brand of cattle on this grant.  His father’s reply was that he should expect his son to return as soon as the state of his health would permit.  He wished to be a dutiful son, yet he wished to hunt just one more winter.

So he felt that he must make another tack to gain his point.  Following letters noted no improvement in his health.  Now, as the hunting season was near at hand, he found it convenient to bargain with a renegade doctor, who, for the consideration offered, wrote his parents that their son had recently consulted him to see if it would be advisable to return to a rigorous climate in his present condition.  Professionally he felt compelled to advise him not to think of leaving Texas for at least another year.  To supplement this, the son wrote that he hoped to be able to go home in the early spring.  This had the desired effect.  Any remorse of conscience he may have felt over the deception resorted to was soon forgotten in following a pack of hounds or stalking deer, for hunting now became the order of the day.  The antlered buck was again in his prime.  His favorite range was carefully noted.  Very few hunts were unrewarded by at least one or more shots at this noble animal.  With an occasional visitor, the winter passed as had the previous one.  Some congenial spirit would often spend a few days with them, and his departure was always sincerely regretted.

The most peculiar feature of the whole affair was the friendship of the young man for Tiburcio.  The latter was the practical hunter, which actual experience only can produce.  He could foretell the coming of a norther twenty-four hours in advance.  Just which course deer would graze he could predict by the quarter of the wind.  In woodcraft he was a trustworthy though unquoted authority.  His young patron often showed him his watch and explained how