“Perhaps not. And yet he might see in it a disclaimer from my part—a criticism. He is a settler—a ‘Squatter’—you know, and consequently very sensitive about (what they call) ‘rights of settlers under the law.’ He knows my sentiments, but one thing is my expressing them to him, and another is to pay money for land he thinks he has lawfully appropriated. It might seem to him, I imply that his locating perhaps was not altogether as honorable a transaction in my eyes, as it may be lawful in the eyes of the lawmakers.”
“You are certainly very honorable, and I am willing to abide by your wishes in the matter,” said Don Mariano. “You view this question exactly as I do.”
Clarence blushed with pleasure and bowed, saying:
“You are very kind, and that you, who are so generous, should be made to suffer as you have, it is, I assure you, so revolting to me (as an American and a civilized being) that I have felt great desire to go away rather than to live among these short-sighted and unappreciative people that have unfortunately fallen upon you.”
Don Mariano laughed and said, “No don't go away. Let me have one friend at least, among so many opponents. Pay whatever you wish, and take as much land as you desire to have, but don't go.”
“I thank you, indeed, but will you not name the price? I don't think it is right for me to put a price upon your property.”
“My dear sir, that would be so if my property was not going into—smoke of sulphur—but as it is, and growing fast so ‘beautifully less’ that I suppose even the $1.25 of government price ought to be a handsome figure to my weary eyes. So name any price you wish.”
It was agreed that Clarence would pay $10.00 per acre, and take up 640 acres where his father had already located. It was also understood that the purchase should not be mentioned to any one. Don Mariano excepted only his son Gabriel. Clarence said he would except his mother, inasmuch as she had told him to pay for the land or else she would not come to reside upon it.
Don Mariano said that he would like to mention it to his family and the Mechlins, but feared that if only some allusion was overheard by the servants, it would be repeated.
“I have no objection to Mr. Mechlin knowing it,” Clarence said.