214 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



him is petty : he makes friends with the 

 ranch guard-dog ; failing that, poisons him 

 with strange and secret decoctions made 

 of herbs ; but, if offended, he refrains from 

 poisoning the rancher or his family, after the 

 negro manner. It is possible that he is not 

 sufficiently intelligent for such deep plotting, 

 or is too timid to face probable consequences. 

 At all events, having disposed of his greatest 

 enemy, el perro, he prowls around the white 

 man's dwelling under cover of the night, 

 seeking literally what he may devour, and 

 gathering up everything capable of convey- 

 ance, from firewood to hives stuffed full of 

 wrathful bees. 



Nothing comes amiss. Actual house- 

 breaking is not to his fancy ; it is too 

 dangerous, and he is not partial to danger. 

 Nevertheless, he can be induced, if suitably 

 entreated, to undertake even that at a pinch. 

 Light-fingered and nimble, the native can 

 raid your store-room whilst the cook is 

 passing backwards and forwards between the 

 lights ; or, as a veracious chronicler hath it, 

 whisk up an oil-stove from before your door, 

 and make off with it and your breakfast, 



