"And what became of the rattlesnakes? Are any of their descendants living among those bushes?" asked Mrs. Page.
"If they are," said Aunt Mary, "I think we ought to camp somewhere else for lunch and rest."
"We shall not be near the bushes," said Mauricio, "and there is no other place near where we can stop to eat."
"You will never see a snake in an open place like this," said Francisco. "There is no danger."
"We will stop now," said Mr. Page. They were at the edge of the circular green basin, and Mauricio pulled up the horses. The party left the wagon, glad to stretch their limbs after so long a ride. A couch of robes and blankets was made for Mrs. Page under a tree. Aunt Mary sat down beside her, and the others busied themselves in spreading out the lunch.
"Come; I will show you a pretty sight," said Francisco to the children, taking a tin pail from the wagon. They followed him to the bushes, in the midst of which stood a large sycamore tree, the only one to be seen. Putting aside its luxuriant boughs, the Indian boy disclosed a sparkling spring tumbling down from the rocks above.
"This it is which makes the valley so green," he said, "and the bushes to grow everywhere." The water was icy cold. "It is an iron spring," continued Francisco, "and good for many diseases. Many persons camp in this section. There are pretty little spots all around."
"See that rock above the spring?" asked Nellie, pointing to the spot. "It looks like an armchair with a flat back and a broad seat. It must be lovely to sit up there and listen to the trickle, trickle of the water over the pebbles."
"I never thought of that," said Francisco. "Many times as I have been here, I have never thought of that. But so it is."
When they returned with the water Aunt Mary made the coffee, and luncheon was ready. Afterward Mr. Page and Mauricio walked up and down, discussing the coming eviction of the Indians; Mrs. Page and Aunt Mary were resting; Francisco and Walter were cutting twigs for whistles.