river trail, which he followed at an even brisker
stride, and thence to the ranch and the corral.
Here his mistress took leave of him -- abruptly, it
seemed -- and made her way straight into the
house. Directly the Mexican came and removed
his saddle and bridle. With these things off, he
shook himself vigorously, and then took up his
customary stand in the corner, and confidently
awaited the reappearance of his mistress with
sugar and apples -- a reward she never had denied
him.

But he waited this time in vain.

[[84]]

p083 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p084w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p085

v?