"Ah, worthy señor, you are a well-known man in Alta California. Not less, perhaps, is your name known in the Mexican capital. What wonder, then, if some leisured traveler touching that capital should bear written words thence to you here? So I rode to you on my errand of inquiry. If you know nothing of the man, I shall ride still farther on my quest." "Señor O'Donnell, famine is abroad, since the rains fall not. Entertainment for yourself and feed for your horse are welcome to you in my hacienda. Why not rest here for a while? Perhaps some of my major-domos may have news of this captain, or some of the peons recently returned from the headwaters of the river San Joaquin where our cattle are now grazing. The Sierras lie but across from these headwaters, and among our peons are hunters not a few. Rest among us, my friend O'Donnell, and from some direction you may find the information you are seeking." The man shook his head. "My horse has carried me a hundred miles to-day, and yet he is ready to bear me farther. With such a mount I can find food for myself and fodder for him, easily, when night falls. Hear now his song? Drumlummon skirls a merry note." With a laugh the bearded man arose. The screaming neigh of a stallion was echoing among the buildings of the hacienda. "My horse is ready for the road. I thank you for your hospitality just the same. Adios, noble Administrator." "Wait, good Señor O'Donnell. A glass of wine makes readier the foot for the stirrup." He touched a bell. A peon came, and disappeared on his errand. "Tell me, señor, while the wine is coming, do you know this Englishman of whom you speak as Farquharson?" "Several years ago I saw Captain Farquharson considerably," tersely. "Ah, Señor O'Donnell, you too are a soldier, as your bearing shows. You speak of your friend as Captain Farquharson. Perhaps you were brother officers in English service. Is it so?" "No," hoarsely replied O'Donnell in English, "it was not so. I thought I'd done for the fellow that day on the parade ground----" As he did not continue Señor Mendoza said: "Ah, my friend O'Donnell speaks the English. I have studied your language and I read your books," indicating a shelf on which were a number of works by English historians and political economists. "Ah, here comes the wine." "Forgive my curiosity, Señor O'Donnell, in my recent questioning. I am greatly interested in English officers. Just before you came I was speaking with my daughter of the battle of Waterloo. You could not have been present. You have not years enough," looking at the face, yet young, of the man before him. "I was not in the army at that time," replied O'Donnell. "Allow me to say, Señor Administrator, you serve nectar here," sipping his wine. "This Farquharson," persisted Mendoza, "who you say is older than you, perhaps he took part in that famous battle." "I did not say Farquharson is older than I. I said I once knew him."