Then, at her gesture, he heaved himself to his feet and shook himself till the stirrups clattered. The girl dropped the reins and turned to the old herder. "I taught him that, Fernando. I didn't make him do it just to show off. He understands now, and he'll behave." Old Fernando grinned. "He always have the good manner, being always with the Senorita," he said bowing. "Thanks, Fernando. You always say something nice. But I can't let you get ahead of me. What a pretty scarf. It's just right. Do you wear it always, Fernando?" "It is--I know--what the vaquero of the Concho call the 'josh' that you give me, but I am yet not too old to like it. It is muy pleasure, si! to be noticed when one is old--by the Senorita of especial." The girl's dark eyes flashed and she laughed happily. "It's lots of fun, isn't it--to 'josh'? But I came to see if you needed anything." "Nothing while still the Senorita is at thees camp." "Well, you'd better think up something, for I'm going in a minute. Have to make the rounds. Dad is down with the rheumatism and as cross as a grizzly. I was glad to get away. And then, there's Madre." Fernando smiled and nodded. He was not unfamiliar with the patron's temper when rheumatism obliged him to be inactive. "He say nothing, the patron--that we cross the sheep to the west of the river, Senorita?" "No. Not lately. I don't know why he should want to. The feed is good here." "I have this morning talk with the vaquero Corlees. He tell me that the South Fork is dry up." "John Corliss is not usually interested in our sheep," said the girl. "No. Of the sheep he knows nothing." And the old herder smiled. "But many times he look out there," he added, pointing toward the Loring rancho. "He was afraid father would catch him talking to one of the herders," laughed the girl. "The vaquero Corlees he afraid of not even the bear, I think, Senorita." Eleanor Loring laughed. "Don't you let father catch you calling him a bear!" she cautioned, provoking the old herder to immediate apology and a picturesque explanation of the fact that he had referred not to the patron, but the grizzly. "All right, Fernando. I'll not forget to tell the patron that you called him a bear."