intentions. I felt hurt. We reached and passed the saw-mills and hamlet at Lagunitas, and soon came to where the road forked. Falling carelessly behind, I watched my opportunity and quietly gave them the slip, turning off down one trail while they went the other. In the next mile's ride, I bagged two more quail. Then I came upon a little lustrous-eyed, white-toothed Mexican boy in a canon, who was out with a bow and arrow, going the rounds to look at his quail-traps. He had several quail, and I acquired them. Then I rode on with him, chatting on various subjects, while we visited all his traps. He had lived some years in sight, and almost within hearing of the bells of the great city of the Pacific Coast, and had never been in it in his life. I told him what I could of its wonders, and when we parted company I was four bits out in coin, but had seven good, healthy quails to show for my work. I went on down toward the coast, where the quails had been less harassed by hunters, and coming upon several large coveys, swelled my game-bag considerably by well directed shots. I also got a snap-shot at a fine, large California hare, and corralled him. When the sun went down and evening stole over the land, I rode triumphantly into San Rafael with twenty-three quails in my game-bag and a hare slung behind my saddle. I was "happy and content as one of Swimley's boarders," and felt that I was the champion shootist of the party.
Alas! not so. There is no limit to the duplicity and deceit of human nature. Lloyd and the Doctor heard my story in silence; saw me unpack my game,
