“No police, senor,” was the rejoinder, “but it is the headquarters of the Mexican Rangers who have charge of the district. My father is the local magistrate and administrator, and has charge of them.”
“I sincerely hope that he will set them on the track of those ruffians,” said the man of science severely, “Mexico should be known as a land of law and order like the United States.”
“Yet I have heard that you occasionally have train robbers and all sorts of terrible criminals in the United States, senor.”
The senorita spoke gently, but like all of her race, she was patriotic and a flash of fire was in her eye as she spoke.
“But we try to get rid of them, senorita,” stammered the scientist, somewhat taken aback at this self-possessed young lady’s reply.
“And so do we, senor,” was the answer, which caused Coyote Pete to chuckle, “but you see, they won’t always wait to be caught.”
“You speak English charmingly, senorita,” said the professor, in an endeavor to change the subject and pay a compliment at the same time.
“That is to the credit of one of your American colleges, senor. I was educated at Vassar University.”
The boys exchanged glances. So that explained the senorita’s poise and self-possession, which were far more those of an American girl than of a languishing Spanish beauty.