Nellie sighed. "I think I'll go in and see if I can do anything for mamma," she said. "This does seem such a dreadfully long morning."
"You were up at half-past five," said Mr. Page. "That is why it seems so long. But we shall be off pretty soon, and then you will find time flying. At least I hope so, for we have quite a journey before us."
When they were seated at last in the train in which they were to make the first part of the trip, with the mother well wrapped in her traveling cloak, the children amused themselves by looking out of the car windows at the groves of lemons, oranges, and nuts extending on both sides of the railroad. Thus an hour passed quickly, and the station where they were to leave the train was reached.
"The mountains are beginning already," said Walter, as they stood on the platform awaiting the arrival of the stage. It was indeed a wild-looking spot. Sheer from the road high hills rose ruggedly, clothed here and there with mesquite bushes and wild fern, now beginning to wither through lack of rain.
"Yes, the mountains are beginning, as you say," remarked Mr. Page. "We shall have ample opportunity to become acquainted with them to-day."
As he spoke a buggy, rather dilapidated in appearance, the horse driven by a Mexican, came in sight. Mr. Page and his wife had arranged to drive in this, thinking it would not be so fatiguing as riding in the stage.
"Good-morning, Juan," said Mr. Page.
"Good-morning, Señor," the man replied. "Not very pretty, this, says Señor Smith, but comfortable, yes."
"Well, we care more for comfort than beauty just here and now," rejoined Mr. Page. "Mother," he continued, turning to his wife, "are you ready to drive with me for the eight hours or so?"