The cowboy said, "Inglés," and nodded to one of his companions, who,
with a sudden flush, said-"Thought you were a fellow-countryman. On the tramp, mate, eh? Well,
I've done that myself, and, between you and me, there's many a better
job." He filled up Derrick's mug and eyed him with friendly questioning.
"What's your line?"
"Oh, anything," said Derrick, with a smile. "Tramps can't be choosers.
You have a ranch here, I suppose?"
The other Englishman nodded.
"Yes, we're on Donna Elvira's ranch, three miles out." He jerked his
head in a westerly direction, then looked round at his mates. "Do you
think there's any room for him?"
"Might be," replied one. "He'd better go up and see Don José."
The English cowboy translated this for Derrick, adding:-"That's the overseer. Better go up and see him when you've rested and
eaten. My name's Tom Dalton; they call me Tomas, of course. What's
yours, and what's your county?"
Derrick said, "Sydney Green," and added, "London."
"Big county that," said Tom, with a grin. "Know anything about cattle?
Not much use your going to Don José if you don't."
"I've worked with them on the road a bit," replied Derrick; "and I'm
accustomed to horses."
The young man thought that Derrick might stand a chance, and again
advised him to eat and rest; and, having proffered more wine, the
cowboys presently moved off and left him alone. He engaged a bed of the
landlord, got something to eat, and was dropping off to sleep in the
moist, warm evening air, when he saw a cloud of dust rising down the
road, and presently a carriage, drawn by a pair of magnificent horses,
came tearing towards him. At the sound of the carriage the landlord
hurried out, and stood beside Derrick, waitingly. The vehicle was of
Spanish build, but had a touch of something English about it, and seated
in it was an elderly lady, dressed in the local fashion.
There was something in her appearance so arresting that Derrick woke up
fully and leant forward to peer at her; as she came nearer he saw that
she was not so old as he had thought; for though her hair was
snow-white, her dark eyes were bright and lustrous; she was very pale
and there were deep lines on her face, which must, in her youth, have
been exceedingly beautiful, and was even now handsome, though thin and
careworn. She was leaning back, almost reclining, with an air at once
graceful and haughty; it was evident to Derrick that she was a personage
of some importance, and he was not surprised to see the landlord whip
off his hat and bow low, with a gesture of extreme deference.