In starting, the ambulance took the lead as before, and near the middle of the afternoon we reached the ferry.  The merry-makers were assembling from every quarter, and on our arrival possibly a hundred had come, which number was doubled by the time the festivities began.  We turned our saddle and work stock into a small pasture, and gave ourselves over to the fast-gathering crowd.  I was delighted to see that Miss Jean and Uncle Lance were accorded a warm welcome by every one, for I was somewhat of a stray on this new range.  But when it became known that I was a recent addition to Las Palomas, the welcome was extended to me, which I duly appreciated.

The store and hostelry did a rushing business during the evening hours, for the dance did not begin until seven.  A Mexican orchestra, consisting of a violin, an Italian harp, and two guitars, had come up from Oakville to furnish the music for the occasion.  Just before the dance commenced, I noticed Uncle Lance greet a late arrival, and on my inquiring of June who he might be, I learned that the man was Captain Frank Byler from Lagarto, the drover Uncle Lance had been teasing Miss Jean about in the morning, and a man, as I learned later, who drove herds of horses north on the trail during the summer and during the winter drove mules and horses to Louisiana, for sale among the planters.  Captain Byler was a good-looking, middle-aged fellow, and I made up my mind at once that he was due to rank as the lion of the evening among the ladies.

It is useless to describe this night of innocent revelry.  It was a rustic community, and the people assembled were, with few exceptions, purely pastoral.  There may have been earnest vows spoken under those spreading oaks—­who knows?  But if there were, the retentive ear which listened, and the cautious tongue which spake the vows, had no intention of having their confidences profaned on this page.  Yet it was a night long to be remembered.  Timid lovers sat apart, oblivious to the gaze of the merry revelers.  Matrons and maidens vied with each other in affability to the sterner sex.  I had a most enjoyable time.

I spoke Spanish well, and made it a point to cultivate the acquaintance of the leader of the orchestra.  On his learning that I also played the violin, he promptly invited me to play a certain new waltz which he was desirous of learning.  But I had no sooner taken the violin in my hand than the lazy rascal lighted a cigarette and strolled away, absenting himself for nearly an hour.  But I was familiar with the simple dance music of the country, and played everything that was called for.  My talent was quite a revelation to the boys of our ranch, and especially to the owner and mistress of Las Palomas.  The latter had me play several old Colorado River favorites of hers, and I noticed that when she had the dashing Captain Byler for her partner, my waltzes seemed never long enough to suit her.