I never gave her any show to forget me, and worried her to a fare-ye-well.  And if my observation and years go for anything, that’s just the way girls like to have a fellow act.  Of course they’ll bluff and let on they must be wooed and all that, just like Frances did at the tournament a year ago.  I contend that with a clear field the only way to make any progress in sparking a girl, is to get one arm around her waist, and with the other hand keep her from scratching you.  That’s the very way they like to be courted.”

Theodore and I dropped behind after this lecture, and before we reached the ranch had agreed to ride over to the Frio the next morning.  During our absence that day, there had arrived at Las Palomas from the Mission, a padrino in the person of Don Alejandro Travino.  Juana Leal, only daughter of Tiburcio, had been sought in marriage by a nephew of Don Alejandro, and the latter, dignified as a Castilian noble, was then at the house negotiating for the girl’s hand.  Juana was nearly eighteen, had been born at the ranch, and after reaching years of usefulness had been adopted into Miss Jean’s household.  To ask for her hand required audacity, for to master and mistress of Las Palomas it was like asking for a daughter of the house.  Miss Jean was agitated and all in a flutter; Tiburcio and his wife were struck dumb; for Juana was the baby and only unmarried one of their children, and to take her from Las Palomas—­they could never consent to that.  But Uncle Lance had gone through such experiences before, and met the emergency with promptness.

“That’s all right, little sister,” said the old matchmaker to Miss Jean, who had come out to the gate where we were unsaddling.  “Don’t you borrow any trouble in this matter—­leave things to me.  I’ve handled trifles like this among these natives for nearly forty years now, and I don’t see any occasion to try and make out a funeral right after the drouth’s been broken by a fine rain.  Shucks, girl, this is a time for rejoicing!  You go back in the house and entertain Don Alejandro with your best smiles till I come in.  I want to have a talk with Tiburcio and his wife before I meet the padrino.  There’s several families of those Travinos over around the Mission and I want to locate which tribe this oso comes from.  Some of them are good people and some of them need a rope around their necks, and in a case of keeps like getting married, it’s always safe to know what’s what and who’s who.  Now, Sis, go on back in the house and entertain the Don.  Come with me, Tom.”

I saw our plans for the morrow vanish into thin air.  On arriving at the jacal, we were admitted, but a gloom like the pall of death seemed to envelop the old Mexican couple.  When we had taken seats around a small table, Tia Inez handed the ranchero the formal written request.  As it was penned in Spanish, it was passed to me to read, and after running through it hastily, I read it aloud, several times stopping