What he had taken in the shadow for a bundle of serapes lying on the floor of the veranda, was the recumbent figure of a man who now raised himself to a sitting posture.
"Ez to that," drawled Ezekiel, with unshaken self-possession, "whether I like it or not ez only a question betwixt kempany manners and truth-telling.

Beggars hadn't oughter be choosers, and transient visitors like myself needn't allus speak their mind.

But if you mean to signify that with every door and window open and universal shiftlessness lying round everywhere temptin' Providence, you ain't lucky in havin' a feller-citizen of yours drop in on ye instead of some Mexican thief, I don't agree with ye--that's all." The man laughed shortly and rose up.

In spite of his careless yet picturesque Mexican dress, Ezekiel instantly recognized Demorest.

With his usual instincts he was naturally pleased to observe that he looked older and more careworn.