There was some delay in perfecting the title to the land grant.  “We’ll start home in the morning, boys,” said Uncle Lance, the evening after the contract was drawn.  “You simply can’t hurry a land deal.  I’ll get that tract in time, but there’s over a hundred heirs now of the original Don.  I’d just like to know what the grandee did for his king to get that grant.  Tickled his royal nibs, I reckon, with some cock and bull story, and here I have to give up nearly forty thousand dollars of good honest money.  Twenty years ago I was offered this same grant for ten cents an acre, and now I’m paying four bits.  But I didn’t have the money then, and I’m not sure I’d have bought it if I had.  But I need it now, and I need it bad, and that’s why I’m letting them hold me up for such a figure.”

Stopping at the “last chance” road house on the outskirts of the city the next morning, for a final drink as we were leaving, Uncle Lance said to us over the cattle contract:  “There’s money in it—­good money, too.  But we’re not going to fill it out of our home brand.  Not in this year of our Lord.  I think too much of my cows to part with a single animal.  Boys, cows made Las Palomas what she is, and as long as they win for me, I intend—­to swear by them through thick and thin, in good and bad repute, fair weather or foul.  So, June, just as soon as the fall branding is over, you can take Tom with you for an interpreter and start for Mexico to contract these cows.  Las Palomas is going to branch out and spread herself.  As a ranchman, I can bring the cows across for breeding purposes free of duty, and I know of no good reason why I can’t change my mind and sell them.  Dan, take Tiburcio out a cigar.”

CHAPTER XI

A TURKEY BAKE

Deweese and I came back from Mexico during Christmas week.  On reaching Las Palomas, we found Frank Nancrede and Add Tully, the latter being also a trail foreman, at the ranch.  They were wintering in San Antonio, and were spending a few weeks at our ranch, incidentally on the lookout for several hundred saddle horses for trail purposes the coming spring.  We had no horses for sale, but nevertheless Uncle Lance had prevailed on them to make Las Palomas headquarters during their stay in the country.

The first night at the ranch, Miss Jean and I talked until nearly midnight.  There had been so many happenings during my absence that it required a whole evening to tell them all.  From the naming of Anita’s baby to the rivalry between John and Theodore for the favor of Frances Vaux, all the latest social news of the countryside was discussed.  Miss Jean had attended the dance at Shepherd’s during the fall, and had heard it whispered that Oxenford and Esther were anything but happy.  The latest word from the Vaux ranch said that the couple had separated; at least there was some trouble, for when Oxenford had attempted to force her to return to Oakville, and had made some disparaging remarks, Tony Hunter had crimped a six-shooter over his head.  I pretended not to be interested in this, but secretly had I learned that Hunter had killed Oxenford, I should have had no very serious regrets.