As quietly as she came the Mexican woman departed, leaving Boca and Pete gazing at each other in the dusk.  “She makes me afraid sometimes,” whispered Boca.

“Sounds like she could jest plumb see what she was talkin’ about.  Kind of second-sight, I reckon.  Wonder why she didn’t put me wise to Malvey when I lit in here with him?  It would ‘a’ saved a heap of trouble.”

“It is the dream,” said Boca.  “These things she has seen in a dream.”

“I ain’t got nothin’ against your ole—­your mother, Boca, but by the way I’m feelin’, she’s sure due to have a bad one, right soon.”

“You do not believe?” queried Boca quite seriously.

“Kind of—­half.  I don’t aim to know everything.”

“She said you would come back,” and Boca smiled.

“That dream’ll sure come true.  I ain’t forgettin’.  But I ain’t goin’ to wait till you’re gone.”

Boca touched Pete’s hand.  “And you will bring me a present.  A dress—­or a ring, perhaps?”

“You kin jest bank on that!  I don’t aim to travel where they make ’em reg’lar, but you sure get that present—­after I settle with Malvey.”

“That is the way with men,” pouted Boca.  “They think only of the quarrel.”

“You got me wrong, senorita.  I don’t want to kill nobody.  The big idee is to keep from gittin’ bumped off myself.  Now you’d think a whole lot of me if I was to ride off and forgit all about what Malvey done?”

“I would go with you,” said Boca softly.

“Honest?  Well, you’d sure make a good pardner.”  Pete eyed the girl with a new interest.  Then he shook his head.  “I—­you’d sure make a good pardner—­but it would be mighty tough for you.  I’d do most anything—­but that.  You see, Chicita, I’m in bad.  I’m like to get mine most any time.  And I ain’t no ladies’ man—­nohow.”

“But you will come back?” queried Boca anxiously.

“As sure as you’re livin’!  Only you want to kind o’ eddicate your ole man to handle bottles more easy-like.  He ought to know what they’re made for.”

“Your head—­it is cool,” said Boca, reaching up and touching Pete’s forehead.

“Oh, I’m feelin’ fine, considerin’.”

“Then I am happy,” said Boca.

Pete never knew just how he happened to find Boca’s hand in his own.  But he knew that she had a very pretty mouth, and fine eyes; eyes that glowed softly in the dusk.  Before he realized what had happened, Boca was in his arms, and he was telling her again and again that “he sure would come back.”

She murmured her happiness as he kissed her awkwardly, and quickly, as though bidding her a hasty farewell.  But she would not let him go with that.  “Mi amor!  Mi corazone!” she whispered, as she clasped her hands behind his head and gently drew his mouth to hers.

Pete felt embarrassed, but his embarrassment melted in the soft warmth of her affection and he returned her kisses with all the ardor of youth.  Suddenly she pushed him away and rose.  Her mother had called her.