"She has been robbed by Lobarto, and she thinks your father
has found the hidden treasure--the plunder Lobarto left behind at
Rose Ranch when he was driven off six years ago."
"You know!" exclaimed the Mexican girl confidently. "How you know?"
"I know what you think. But that doesn't make it so," returned Nan
promptly.
"I am sure she is not right in her mind," Rhoda sighed. "What could
she have to do with all that treasure they say Lobarto stole in
Mexico and hid on our ranch?"
"Come over here and sit down--both of you," commanded Nan, seeing
that she had got the Mexican girl quieted for the time being. There
was a log in the shade, and they took seats upon it. Nan said
kindly to the Mexican: "Now, please, tell us quietly and calmly
what you mean."
"Dhat Senorita Ham-mon'--"
"No, no! Begin at the beginning. Don't accuse Rhoda any more. Let
us hear all about how you came to know about the treasure, and why
you think it is yours."
"Dhat I tell you soon," said the girl quickly. "My modder an' me--"
"Who are you? What is your name?" asked Nan.
"Juanita O'Harra."
"Why! that's both Mexican and Irish," gasped Nan.
"My fader a gre't, big Irisher-man--yes!" said Juanita. "He marry
my modder in Honoragas. She have fine hacienda from her papa--yes.
She--"
But to put it in more understandable English, as Nan and Rhoda did
later when they talked it over with Bess and Grace Mason, Juanita
O'Harra told a very interesting--indeed, quite an exciting--story
about Lobarto and the lost treasure the bandit chief had carried
into the Rose Ranch region.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84