70 THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 



but instead have a way of appearing quite unex- 

 pectedly, and if the job is not being done to suit me 

 have the difficulty rectified without unpleasantness 

 on either side. It seems to me that labor of every 

 color has a weakness for being trusted — up to a cer- 

 tain point. But if I have two or more men working 

 I see to it that they are widely separated, though to 

 arrange Mexicans beyond the limits of shouting 

 distance in our thin atmosphere is scarcely possible. 

 But shouting makes a noise, and the Senora is 

 known to possess ears as well as eyes. 



Juan, my champion worker, never fails to find 

 me men who are middling to good as to industry; 

 and he always serves me first when laborers are in 

 demand. One day, having already engaged him- 

 self to a newcomer before I put in my plea, he pro- 

 mised to send me a good man to clean my acequias. 

 Early the next morning I sallied forth to find that, 

 as usual, he had kept his word. An hour or so later, 

 greatly to my surprise, I discovered Juan himself, 

 shoveling out dirt and weeds at express speed. Nat- 

 urally I exclaimed. 



"Si, Senora. That Sefior Z. knows nothing. I 

 will not work for any man who stands over me and 

 watches all the time — no, Senora!" 



Thus was merit rewarded. I did not watch Juan, 

 and for me he accomplished marvels. 



Ricardo, the boy, who served me loyally many 

 years, had more than a touch of poco tiempo in his 

 make-up. Should my pent emotions suddenly ex- 

 plode in the loud remonstrance — "O, hurry, hurry, 

 hurry, Ricardo, or I shall go crazy!" the sense of 



