I saw our host's eyes begin to widen. To keep the ball rolling, I chimed in along the same line. Walker did not again speak, but sat staring in open amazement at our audacity,--of course with both ears wide. Having started off at such a pace, we were almost out of material when Caesar thrust in his woolly head and announced Senor Vallois. Walker promptly called out a floridly complimentary invitation for the visitor to enter. Don Pedro came in, every inch the gentleman and grand _haciendado_. As he straightened from his bows to our host, I had time only to observe that since our parting his face had lost several shades of tan and gained many deep lines of anxiety. A moment later he gripped my hand and shook it with cordial heartiness. But at the end, instead of releasing his clasp, he slipped his left arm around my waist and pressed himself to me until our cheeks touched. It was the first time I had either seen or experienced this curious custom of the country, and it so surprised me that I stood unbending to his embrace. "How is this, Don Juan?" he demanded. "Are your friends so soon forgot?" "No, no, Don Pedro! It is only that I did not look for so warm a greeting from you. You must be aware that I am here under a cloud." "The more reason for your friends to support you!" he protested with generous fervor. "Senor, I should have known that so noble a gentleman as yourself could have done none else!" We bowed together, and I then introduced him to Pike, adding for Walker's benefit that the don was an acquaintance I had met in Washington. So far we had held to the French. Now the don delighted Pike by addressing him in English: "Sir, I am more than pleased to meet you. I have heard rumors of your extraordinary trip to the headwaters of the Mississippi." "You are kind, sir. But it was nothing worth mentioning. The soldiers of the Republic are accustomed to doing their duty." "But this present expedition!" added the don. "I understand that you crossed the Sangre de Cristo in February." "It was cross over--or perish." "_Madre de Dios!_ That is the point. It seems that you and Don Juan did cross over when most men would have perished. Do you then marvel that my wife is desirous of meeting two such heroes?" He turned to Walker with a bow. "With your kind permission, Lieutenant Walker, I will borrow your guests for the evening." "Ah--yes--indeed--" hesitated Walker. "My sincerest regrets, sir," broke in Pike. "You will pardon my declining the kind invitation. This long ride from Santa Fe and the heat have fatigued me more than I realized." "_Santisima Virgen!_" exclaimed Don Pedro, unfeignedly disappointed. "Yet as you need rest, I must console myself with the hope that you will honor us with your presence in the near future. As to this evening, however, I must urge Don Juan to accompany me." "By all means!" I assented.