a halt.  He explained that we should require at least an hour for the unloading and erection of the tents, tables, etc., before dusk; therefore, as the sun was only a hand’s breadth from the horizon (roughly speaking, an hour before setting), we must dismount.  He had chosen a pleasant spot for the camp of the night, not far from a small ranch, and here the coaches halted.  Of course the luggage carts could not come up until some time later, as their loads were so much heavier, and My Lady became even more popular than usual when she suggested that the wait should be beguiled with a cup of tea, and produced her tea-basket from the coach; true, we found that there was no tea, but My Lady had plenty of cocoa.  Water was obtained from the house near by, and a very welcome cup of cocoa handed round, accompanied by an unexpected slice of cake which apparently appeared from nowhere, and which disappeared equally effectively, for it was decidedly useful fodder and appreciated as such by all.

We discovered here that our friend “Monte” had declined to go back after lunch with his present master to Lucero, but had chosen to accompany his past master on this expedition.  His presence was an agreeable surprise.  He was found surveying the party with his calm scrutiny, and apparently he approved of our spot for camping, also of the cake.

As The Chaperon could find no work to do before the carts arrived, he, for once, relaxed from his terrible strain of usefulness, and tided over the tedious hour by trying to “throw the knife” in the most approved cowboy manner.  As each member of the party had had their “tea” (he was practising with the knife which was used for the carving of the cake—­and anything else, when needed), no one objected to this harmless amusement on his part, provided he did not pitch the knife on to their toes; and, after long exercise, with the help of The Wild Man, who is an adept at these tricks, The Chaperon at last succeeded in “throwing the knife” to his satisfaction, and others’ terror.  A sigh of relief escaped the lips of those who were dodging the knife when they saw the luggage-carts looming in the distance.  They at once drew the attention of The Chaperon to the approach of the carts, and were rejoiced to see him return the weapon to its sheath (in his leggings), and stiffen into the attitude of action once more.

No sooner were the carts on the spot than every member of the party was at work, or pretending to be so.  Poles were taken off the carts, luggage uncovered, canvas was everywhere, yells for “the mallet” alternated with the resounding blows struck, with the same, by the strong men of the band, tent-pegs bristled all over the ground, everyone wanted the hammer at the same time, and apparent chaos reigned for half an hour; then, behold! as by magic, the din ceased, two tents had been securely erected, floored with canvas, the luggage was placed under another covering of canvas, a table, with plates, knives, forks, etc.,