“Can Señor Don Manuel Felipe Hilario Noriega have grown tired of waiting and gone off?”
“Has Señor Don Manuel Felipe Hilario Noriega been drinking too much aguardiente and so forgotten to come?”
“Has Pancho been murdered by highway robbers, and served up into stew for their evening meal?”
“With Hop Yet for dessert! Oh, horrible!” These were some of the questions and exclamations that greeted the ears of the lizards, and caused them to fly over the ground in a more excited fashion than ever.
“One thing is certain. If Pancho has been stupid enough to lose his way coming fifty miles down the coast, I’ll discharge him,” said Dr. Winship, with decision.
“When you find him,” added Aunt Truth, prudently.
“Of course. But really, mamma, this looks discouraging; I am afraid we can’t get into camp this evening. Shall we go up to the nearest ranch house for the night, and see what can be done to-morrow?”
“Never!” exclaimed the young people, with one deafening shout.
“Never,” echoed Philip separately. “I have vowed that a bed shall not know me for three months, and I’ll keep my vow.”
“What do you say to this, Uncle Doc?” said Geoffrey. “Suppose you go up to the storehouse and office,—it’s about a mile,—and see if the goods are there all right, and whether the men saw Pancho on his way up to the cañon. Meanwhile, Phil and I will ride over here somewhere to get a team, or look up Señor Don Manuel Felipe Hilario Noriega. Jack can stay with Aunt Truth and the girls, to watch developments.”