Leaving their horses in the care of a couple of stable-boys, Meschines and Freeman mounted the veranda, and were there greeted by General Trednoke.
"I'm afraid we'll have a hot ride of it," he observed.

"The atmosphere is rather oppressive.

Kamaiakan tells me there was a touch of earthquake last night." "I thought I noticed some disturbance,----" returned the professor, with a stealthy side-glance at Freeman,--"something in the nature of an explosion." "Earthquakes are common in this region, aren't they ?" Freeman said.
"They have made it what it is, and may unmake it again," replied the general.

"The earthquake is the father of the desert, as the Indians say; and it may some day become the father of a more genial offspring.
Veremos!" "How are the young ladies ?" inquired Freeman.
"Miriam has a little headache, I believe; and I thought Miss Parsloe was looking a trifle pale this morning.

But you must see for yourself.