Del Norte laughed softly and pleasantly. “My dear Merriwell,” he said, with a touch of polite familiarity, “all the men of my country admire the ladies. It’s as natural for them as it is to breathe.” “Quite so,” nodded Frank. “But you know there is such a thing as too much adoration. An admirer who is both obnoxious and persistent becomes a terrible bore in time. However, if you have amused Miss Burrage while I was absent I am pleased.” “He told me the most interesting tale, Frank,” said Inza. “He told me of his family, and the history of the Del Nortes seems closely interwoven with that of Mexico’s struggle for liberty.” “I fancied you were startled by something, Inza, just as I appeared,” said Merry in a low tone. “Was I mistaken?” “If you could hear Señor del Norte’s story I believe it might startle you, Frank,” she answered evasively. It was not Inza’s intention or desire to deceive Merry, but she knew how quickly her lover would administer reproof and chastisement to Del Norte for his conduct in case she revealed what had happened. Not wishing to bring about an encounter on board the _Sachem_, she thought it best to evade revealing the truth at that time. The girl now urged Merriwell to listen to Del Norte’s story, and once more asked the Mexican to go over it. It’s possible that Del Norte was relieved when he discovered she had no intention of telling Frank what had taken place. He seated himself once more, after Inza had resumed her chair, and invited Frank to draw up and be comfortable. “See how the moonlight turns the water to silver,” he said, stretching out his hand toward the shimmering waves of the harbor. “See the town nestling there at the foot of the dark mountain. Look yonder on the top of the nearer and smaller mountain. Up there you can behold a star, but it’s a light in the window of the hotel. To-morrow we are to go up there. Señor Crossgrove has arranged it. We may climb the mountain on foot or be taken up in carriages, just as we choose. They say we will be entertained up there and be given a fine dinner, if we wish it. Ah, how surprised my countrymen would be could they look on this beautiful scene away up here in the so-called barren North! But they tell me this land is buried deep in snow in the winter, while my own land is blooming with flowers and is sweet with fragrance. It’s only for a very short time in summer or in early fall that the inhabitants here really enjoy life.” “That’s where you make a mistake, señor,” said Merry. “They enjoy life the whole year round.”