The stranger quickly recognized the beaming smile of Concho, foremost of the party.

A quick glance at the faces of the others satisfied him that while they lacked Concho's good humor, they certainly did not surpass him in intellect.

"Pedro" was a stout vaquero.
"Manuel" was a slim half-breed and ex-convert of the Mission of San Carmel, and "Miguel" a recent butcher of Monterey.

Under the benign influences of Concho that suspicion with which the ignorant regard strangers died away, and the whole party escorted the stranger--who had given his name as Mr.Joseph Wiles--to their camp-fire.

So anxious were they to begin their experiments that even the instincts of hospitality were forgotten, and it was not until Mr.Wiles--now known as "Don Jose"-- sharply reminded them that he wanted some "grub," that they came to their senses.