When an
earthquake comes I go and stand in the middle of the creek so as I can
see what's comin' all round. Once I was on the side of the mountain when
one of those shakes come and I slid down twenty feet before I could stop
myself. It's just the one thing that has happened to me that I can't
help thinkin' about. Well, what kin I do for you? You're welcome to stay
here, but this hut ain't no great shakes for such as you. Be you goin'
home, now that the conscription's over?"
"No!" said Roldan, emphatically, "we are not. There are other reasons
why we must go to Los Angeles as quickly as we can. Could you get us
three horses?"
"I could get them from the priest--"
"No! no!"
"Why, what's the row with the priest? Got in his black books? I
shouldn't like to do that myself."
"You said just now that you would do anything for us. Would you even
hide us from the priest if he came here?"
"I would. And I ain't the one to ask questions. If you don't want to see
the priest, it's not Jim Hill that will assist him to find you. Been
there myself."
"Couldn't you get us three horses from my father's corral--the Rancho
Encarnacion?" asked Rafael.
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