The cañons were beautiful with dashing, dancing streams, and blossoming shrubbery, and thick-leafed trees; and there grew up in the midst of these, tiny towns that called themselves “cities,” where the miners lived who came in with the return tide from the West. There in one of the busiest, prettiest mining camps on a great mountain’s side, in one of the stone cabins set at the left of the single long street, dwelt Tony and his cousin Bruno--Italians, both. Bruno worked in the mines; but Tony, owning an ox team, hauled loads for the miners to and from the other settlements. A dangerous calling it was in those days, because an Indian in ambush had ever to be watched for when a White Man came down from the cañons to travel alone through the valley. Tony was willing, however, to take risks. Teaming brought him more money than anything else he could do; and the more he earned, the sooner he could go back to Nanna--to Nanna waiting for him away on the other side of the world. He and Bruno both loved her--had loved her ever since the days when, long ago, in their childhood, they had played at being lovers down among the fishing boats drawn up on the beach of their beloved Italian home. Black-browed Bruno had then quarreled with him in jealous hatred time and again; but the little Nanna (who loved peace, and to whom both playfellows were dear) would kiss each and say: “Come! Let us play that you are my twin brothers, and I your only sister!” And so harmony would be restored. Thus it went on, and at last they were no longer little children, but men who love a woman as men may love. And Bruno’s parents came to the father and mother of Nanna and settled that their children should be man and wife; so in that way Bruno was made glad, and no longer jealous of Tony--poor Tony, who had not a single small coin that he could call his own. Yet it was Tony whom Nanna loved--Tony whose wife she wanted to be. But what can a young girl do when the one she loves is poor, and there is another whom her parents have chosen for her who has a little farm promised him by his father the day he shall bring home the wife they would have him marry? Nanna neither resisted nor rebelled; but only went to Tony who was as helpless as herself, and there against his breast wept her heart out. It was only when Bruno declared that he was going to America to make a great deal of money (saying that the farm was not enough--that when he and Nanna were married he wanted they should be rich) that a ray of hope shone for Tony. “I, too, will go to America,” Tony whispered to Nanna, “and perhaps there I also may find a fortune. Then--when I come back--I may marry thee; may I not, little dear one?” And for answer, the little Nanna lifted her arms to his neck and her lips to his own. * * * * * The night before the two men sailed away to the strange, far-off land, Nanna and Tony walked together under the oaks and ilexes.