“Begorra, I’m wid yez, naygur!” cried Barney. “Av I’m not mishtaken thim omadhouns will be no frinds to us.” But Frank did not seem to share this fear. He busied himself with adjusting the brake, and while thus engaged the greasers crowded about the Steam Man. One of them lazily puffing a cheroot, ventured to address Frank: “Buenos, senor! Welcome to Lone Ranch.” “Thank you!” replied Frank, politely. “Are you the ranchero?” “Si, senor! Pray dismount and enter. I have some wine which will suit your taste.” The fellow was a tall, dark-complexioned chap, with long black mustache and eyes of keenest black. He used good English and was very polite and affable. Something about the fellow gave Frank a chill of distrust. But he knew well that in his present position he was much at the mercy of the greasers. It was impossible for the Steam Man to go further without water. Frank saw a deep spring near and a plan was suggested to him. After all, he had no right to distrust the Mexicans as yet. The ranch might be a respectable place and, at any rate, if he desired to secure any of the water, Frank knew that he must work his cards diplomatically. So he decided to affect friendship with the greasers, and trust to fortune to accomplish the rest. “Your offer I will gladly accept,” said Frank, with a flourish. “Your excellent wine already warms my heart.” “We are always glad to welcome strangers,” said the ranchero, with a peculiar smile, “but this is the first time we have ever seen a locomotive in the shape of a man, and able to run without a track.” “Indeed!” replied Frank. “Allow me, then, to explain to you the mechanism of the New Steam Man.” With this, Frank proceeded to illustrate to the greasers the working of the famous invention. They listened attentively and with deepest interest. When Frank had concluded, they began a queer sort of jargon, and kept it up in an excited manner. Frank could not very well understand it, as it was a dialect of the Spanish tongue. But the ranchero seized Frank’s arm now, and drew him toward the adobe building. The young inventor could not refuse. CHAPTER III. THE TREACHEROUS RANCHERO. “You are my guest, senor,” declared the ranchero. “I shall bewitch you with my wine. There is not better in the Laredo vineyards.” “Indeed, I am in your debt very deeply, senor,” replied Frank, “but pardon me, but is not that good water in yonder spring?” “It is; but first the wine.“ “Very well; yet will you allow us to take some of it aboard the Steam Man?” “Si, senor, with pleasure,” replied the polite ranchero; “take all that you would care to of it.” Frank turned and motioned to Barney and Pomp. They took the hint at once and moved the Man up to the spring. In a few moments they had the hose out and were pumping the water with all haste into the Steam Man’s boilers. Frank with this followed the ranchero into the adobe building.