242 THE STORY OF A BIRD LOVER 



rule. He was of the blue-eyed, golden-haired 

 Castilian type that few of us associate with that 

 people. Moreover, his hair was wavy, a quality 

 even more noticeable in his flowing beard. A 

 man of romantic disposition, of great kindliness, 

 and prodigal generosity, he had never saved 

 for himself out of all his earnings nor from his 

 opportunities any property. When I knew Cas- 

 tro he lived with his wife and younger children 

 in a rude adobe cabin of a single room. I never 

 rode by the door of Castro's cabin but that the 

 Senora came out, greeted me profusely, begging 

 me to alight and rest myself in the shade of 

 her piazza. When I had complied, she always 

 informed me that everything she had belonged 

 to me, and began immediately to dispense such 

 entertainment as was possible. This generally 

 consisted of a cup of tea and tortillas, sometimes 

 supplemented by some little dainty that she had 

 kept for an event of this kind. 



As I sat in the shade of the rude piazza con- 

 sisting of four posts overlaid by branches gath- 

 ered from the trees, I felt that a great privilege 

 was granted me. Never have I been enter- 

 tained with better intent ; and though I realized 

 that the tea which I was drinking was made of 

 grasses and herbs gathered not far away, and 

 probably only a little while before I dismounted ; 

 that the flour of which the cakes were made 



