occupied by a strap, and Kit knew her before she looked up. She wore a short linen riding-skirt, a thin yellow jacket, and a big yellow hat that shone against the tall green corn. Her olive s

ther about the ha

s eyes were frank. In a way, he was rather an attractive fellow, but not altogether her sort. For one thing, he was Don Ar

Perhaps one could get a piece of str

lace," said Kit. "If y

ter see how much we need, because if you cut too mu

, who looked at the broken strap. "Well, I'l

ed his fastidiousness. In a minute or two he came back

t loop is not very neat; I don't

s a shipping cler

their English occupations. Some had come for a warmer climate and some for fresh experience, but none admitted h

mainly string. You are on board the correillo, are y

ndered whether he was dull. He ought to have seen that her rem

at do you think about th

e these at Liverpool. For one thing, Campeador gener

rtue and nobody is a slave to rules. We do wha

Kit remarked. "However, if you're satisfi

but his dullness was intriguing. In fact, since Olivia knew her charm, it was something of a

etera," he said "Isn't it the easi

ere I live, you

rs. Austin's sister.

us, but sometimes she felt as if

edro tell you a

glish colony and at Las P

rate very much. Macallister does exa

ed. Macallister h

ut Mr. Austin and the wre

new Macallister and no

Olivia was amused, but while she thought about it they p

y talk. Yet, although one got a hint of pride and cultivation, she was frank and he thought her kind. The dreariness he had known at Liverpool was gone; walking in the splendid sunshine by Olivia's

and there by the marks of horses' feet, and one saw in the distance a bridle path wind among the rocks. A little cement channel, carrying water from the hills, crossed the steepest pitch, and in

e bridle,"

ot going

r, in the Canaries, the hill roads are generally bad. Then per

ing for me. Can yo

u mustn't ride a

w and Olivia thought something of her sister's power was hers. The

me up?" she said. "After all

way and his mouth was firm. Olivia looked at him haughtily and her eyes spa

please!" she

a few yards there's nothing but the channel. You couldn't walk

ride along

unded and the cement's smo

ch about horses

taunt. "I know nothing; until this morning I hadn't

fternoon and needs me. I ought to be at home. This is the shortest line to

it. "I'll ride t

g lesson, and all his muscles ached. Olivia marked his awkwardness and hesitated, although she let him go. The th

ought the animal was used to the hill-tracks, and if it knew how to get across, he would let it. One could not go up hill because of the rocks, and on the other side the slope was precipitous. Not far off, the bank of

they reached the clump, he could get down. In the meantime, his stiff, galled knees had no grip and the animal's cautious movements jarred his aching back. He sat like a sack until

e looked at his clothes and saw they were pierced by small spines like needles. He pulled out a number, but they stuck to his hands and it was plain both ends were sharp. Then he looked at the cactus and understood why

I expect you see you're not

Kit. "Nevertheless, I was

felt like a pincushion. The prickling was intolerable and he wanted to rub his leg. Olivia's charm

years old, and you admitted you began this morning. Why did you imagine you could ride alon

ht to do, but he gave her th

g her foot on his hand, sprang to the saddle. Then she turned and smiled. "Y

they plunged down the hill. Kit knew nothing about a horse's paces; he rather thought it skated. When Olivia had gone he tried to pull o

d, and as he watched her speed down the slopes below he frowned. He had refused to let a girl who rode like that undertake a feat he had tried; and then had