"Of a verity, yes!" agreed Juan.
The black-eyed woman seized Janice Day in a warm embrace the moment the girl came near.
"Oh, Madam!" cried the latter. "I hope I did not offend you. You left so abruptly back there at Sweetwater——"
"Ach! it ees nothing," said the woman. "I was hurt—for the moment. You did not trust me."
"And you were continually warning me to trust nobody," interposed Janice, flushing.
"It is true!" cried the woman, patting her cheek. "I made you so fear for r-robbers that you fear poor me, eh? But that is past. I was sorry, later, when I learn' just where my hoosban' is that I did not confide more in you and you in me, my dear."
"Oh! And you are really the wife of this general who commands here?" Janice exclaimed. "How wonderful!"
"Yes. General Palo has long been exile from his land. Soh! But now he is in favor with the government at Mexico City," explained Madam. "Yes! it was at his request I cut short my season in New York an' join him. He hope to be made governor of this deestrict when the campaign is over. He hope soon to settle all controversies and whip these rebel dogs back into the hills and keep them there."
"But, Madam, you are not Mexican!" cried Janice.
"Not by birth—no, my dear. Yet I am intensely patriotic for my hoosban's country—Viva Méjico!"