Now the young man was very proud of the interest this pretty Andalucian girl was showing in his equipment and belongings to the exclusion of those of his comrades. Perhaps he might have been less pleased had he known that the young lady's interest extended even to the gun he had left behind him, the charge of which she had already managed to extract with deft and competent fingers. "La Perla she is called," he cried with enthusiasm, "and sure none other ever better deserved the name! I wish we of the camp possessed a side-saddle that the _Senorita_ might try her paces. She has the easiest motion in the world. It is like riding in a great lady's coach with springs or being carried in a Sedan-chair. But she is of a delicate mouth. Ah, yes--if the _Senorita_ mounted, it would be necessary to remember that she must not bear hard upon the reins. Then would La Perla of a certainty take the bit between her teeth and run like the devil when Father Mateo is after him with a holy water syringe!" Concha smiled as the young fellow dismounted, flinging himself off with the lithe grace of youth and constant practice. "You forget," she said, "I also am of the Province of Flowers. Do not be afraid. La Perla and I will not fall out. A side-saddle--any saddle! What needs Concha Cabezos with side-saddle when she hath ridden unbroken Andalucian jennets wild over the meadows of Mairena, with no better bridle than their manes of silk and no other saddle than their glossy hides, brown as toasted bread!" As she made this boast Concha patted La Perla's pretty head, who, recognising a lover of her kind, muzzled an affectionate nose under the girl's arm. "Oh, how I wish I could try you," she cried, "were it but for a moment--darling among steeds, Pearl of Andalucia!" "La Perla is very gentle," suggested the young cavalier of Alava, as he thought most subtly. "With me at the mare's head the _Senorita_ might safely enough ride. But for fear of interruption let us first proceed a little way out of sight of the camp." They descended behind the long ridge till the camp was entirely hidden, and as they did so the heart of the young Vitorian beat fast. They think plentifully well of themselves, these young men of Alava and Navarre. And this one felt that he would not disgrace the name of his parent city. "Only for a moment, _Senorita_, permit me--there! The _Senorita_ goes up like a bird! Now wait till I take her head, and beware of jerking the rein hastily on account of the delicacy of the little lady's mouth. So, La Perla,--gently and daintily! Consider, jewel of mares, what a precious burden is now on thy back!" "A moment, only a moment!" cried Concha, her hands apparently busy about her hair, "this rebozo is no headgear to ride in. What shall I do? A handkerchief is not large enough. Ah, _Cavallero_, add to your kindness by lending me your _boina_! I thank you a thousand times! There! Is that so greatly amiss?"