The officer, from his position, had a full view of the girl as she stood
in the little enclosure of flowers. She had retreated to the door, and
would have gone inside, but she turned to call off Cibolo, a large
wolf-dog, who was barking fiercely, and threatening the new-comer.
The dog, obedient to her voice, ran back into the house growling, but by
no means satisfied. He evidently wanted to try his teeth on the shanks
of the stranger's horse.
"Thank you, fair Senorita," said the officer. "It is very kind of you
to protect me from that fierce brute. I would he were the only clangour
I had to fear in this house."
"What have you to fear, Senor?" inquired Rosita, with some surprise.
"_Your eyes_, sweet girl: more dangerous than the sharp teeth of your
dog,--they have already wounded me."
"Cavallero," replied Rosita, blushing and averting her face, "you have
not come here to jest with a poor girl. May I inquire what is your
business?"
"Business I have none, lovely Rosita, but to see _you_,--nay, do not
leave me!--I _have_ business--that is, I am thirsty, and halted for a
drink: you will not refuse me a cup of water, fair Senorita?"
These last phrases, broken and hastily delivered, were meant to restrain
the girl from cutting short the interview, which she was about to do by
entering the house. Vizcarra was not thirsty, neither did he wish for
water; but the laws of hospitality would compel the girl to bring it,
and the act might further his purposes.
She, without replying to his complimentary harangue, stepped into the
house, and presently returned with a gourd-shell filled with water.
Carrying it to the gate-like opening of the fences, she presented it to
him, and stood waiting for the vessel.
Vizcarra, to make his request look natural, forced down several gulps of
the fluid, and then, throwing away the rest, held out the gourd. The
girl stretched forth her hand to receive it, but he still held it fast,
gazing intently and rudely upon her.
"Lovely senorita," he said, "may I not kiss that pretty hand that has
been so kind to me?"
"Sir! please return me the cup."
"Nay, not till I have paid for my drink. You will accept this?"
He dropped a gold onza into the gourd.
"No, Senor, I cannot accept payment for what is only an act of duty. I
shall not take your gold," she added, firmly.
"Lovely Rosita! you have already taken my heart, why not this?"
"I do not understand you, Senor; please put back your money, and let me
have the cup."
"I shall not deliver it up, unless you take it with its contents."
"Then you must keep it, Senor," replied she, turning away. "I must to
my work."
"Nay, further, Senorita!" cried Vizcarra; "I have another favour to
ask,--a light for my cigar? Here, take the cup! See! the coin is no
longer in it! You will pardon me for having offered it?"
Vizcarra saw that she was offended, and by this apology endeavoured to
appease her.
She received the gourd-shell from his hands, and then went back to the
house to bring him the light he had asked for.