father of the young man to the parents of the girl, but in the absence of such, by a godfather or padrino.  Fifteen days was the term allowed for a reply, and no matter how desirable the match might be, it was not accounted good taste to answer before the last day.  The owner of Las Palomas was frequently called upon to act as padrino for his people, and so successful had he always been that the vaqueros on his ranch preferred his services to those of their own fathers.  There was scarcely a vaquero at the home ranch but, in time past, had invoked his good offices in this matter, and he had come to be looked on as their patron saint.

The month of September was usually the beginning of the branding season at Las Palomas.  In conducting this work, Uncle Lance was the leader, and with the white element already enumerated, there were twelve to fifteen vaqueros included in the branding outfit.  The dance at Shepherd’s had delayed the beginning of active operations, and a large calf crop, to say nothing of horse and mule colts, now demanded our attention and promised several months’ work.  The year before, Las Palomas had branded over four thousand calves, and the range was now dotted with the crop, awaiting the iron stamp of ownership.

The range was an open one at the time, compelling us to work far beyond the limits of our employer’s land.  Fortified with our own commissary, and with six to eight horses apiece in our mount, we scoured the country for a radius of fifty miles.  When approaching another range, it was our custom to send a courier in advance to inquire of the ranchero when it would be convenient for him to give us a rodeo.  A day would be set, when our outfit and the vaqueros of that range rounded up all the cattle watering at given points.  Then we cut out the Las Palomas brand, and held them under herd or started them for the home ranch, where the calves were to be branded.  In this manner we visited all the adjoining ranches, taking over a month to make the circuit of the ranges.

In making the tour, the first range we worked was that of rancho Santa Maria, south of our range and on the head of Tarancalous Creek.  On approaching the ranch, as was customary, we prepared to encamp and ask for a rodeo.  But in the choice of a vaquero to be dispatched on this mission, a spirited rivalry sprang up.  When Uncle Lance learned that the rivalry amongst the vaqueros was meant to embarrass Enrique Lopez, who was oso to Anita, the pretty daughter of the corporal of Santa Maria, his matchmaking instincts came to the fore.  Calling Enrique to one side, he made the vaquero confess that he had been playing for the favor of the senorita at Santa Maria.  Then he dispatched Enrique on the mission, bidding him carry the choicest compliments of Las Palomas to every Don and Dona of Santa Maria.  And Enrique was quite capable of adding a few embellishments to the old matchmaker’s extravagant flatteries.