I told Hudson to return to La Paz before daylight and circulate the report that I was coming for the purpose he had mentioned. I also requested him to watch Jack and Dick, and if he saw them making preparations for flight to come and meet me. We were met on the outskirts of the town by Mr. Gray, who told us we were to be his guests during our stay, and that his corral and store-rooms were at the service of my men and stock.
Going directly to the house of the hospitable trader, we found it to consist of well-furnished bachelor quarters, with several spare rooms for guests. The boys were assigned a room by themselves, and I one adjoining them, in which we found ample evidence that our host had looked forward with pleasure to our visit and had fully understood boyish needs and desires.
Henry, after exchanging his travelling-dress for a neat uniform, appeared upon the veranda with glowing face and shining hair.
"Mr. Gray, how pleasant you have made our room for us! Have you any boys of your own?" he asked.
"Only two nephews, Sandy and Malcolm, in the 'Land of Cakes,'" was the reply.
"What a good uncle you must be to them!"
"Thank you, laddie. I hope the bairns are as fine boys as you and your brother."
"You are very kind to say so, sir. May I ask you a question?"
"A dozen, laddie. What is it?"
"When you overtook us on the desert you said it was not far to Tyson's Wells, and that we should soon be there."