José had taken him on several fishing excursions, and once they had hunted armadillos with small dogs. Francisco had laughed heartily at the antics of one dog, who had almost caught the horny-plated little animal when it suddenly rolled up into a ball, its back of movable, bony bands enveloping it like an armour, and rolled off a bluff over the river bank, falling fully fifty feet; while the puzzled dog peeped cautiously over the brink to see it unroll itself and with its short legs hastily dig a retreat under the earth.
On Francisco's birthday his uncle had given a fiesta in his honour. There were fireworks and races, and cowboys from all parts of the estancia came in their full cowboy regalia on their best horses to participate. It was very interesting, and then there was a dinner for everybody and after that a dance. Francisco, himself, presented the prizes, and his uncle made a speech.
After so much excitement Francisco overslept the next morning, and awoke to find that his uncle had ridden to a far corner of the estancia to inspect some of the new fencing; he had left word that he would not return until late that night.
Francisco sat under his favourite ombú tree, watching a mangangá, or carpenter bee, that was humming loudly in the foliage above his head and looking like a shining ball of gold among the green leaves. He had received a letter from his mother that morning, and he was a bit homesick.
"El Señorito is triste. No?" It was José's voice behind him.
Francisco brushed away a tear that had stolen down his cheek, and turned to greet the Indian with a smile. "I was wishing to see Elena, but it won't be long now; and I shall hate to leave this lovely place, too. But one can't have everything one wants, all at the same time, can one, José?"
"No, Señorito, but we always have one happiness; have you noticed it? There never comes a time when we haven't one, at least. Now I've one just now, and I am going to share it with you. It will take away your sadness."
"Is it—is it another fishing trip?"
"No, but it's better. Now listen, and I will tell you about it.
"While the gauchos were dancing and making merry over your birthday, last night, some miserable robbers got into the horse corrals and stole all the horses' tails."