Polly and Jack, you play "Las Palomas" for me, and I'll sing and show
you the dance of that pretty Mexican girl whom I saw at the ball
given under the Big Grape Vine. Wait till I take off my hair ribbon.
Lend me your scarf, mamma. Now begin!'
LAS PALOMAS. {2}
(THE DOVES.)
Cua-tro pa-lo-mi-tas blan-cas que vie-
nen de por a--lla. U-nas a las o-tras
di-cen no hay a-mor como el de a-ca.
It is barely possible, but not likely, that anything prettier than
Bell's Mexican danza was to be seen under the light of the September
stars that night; although they were doubtless shining down upon a
thousand lovely things. With all the brightness of her loosened hair
rising and falling with the motion of her swaying figure--with her
twinkling feet, her crimson cheeks and parted lips, she looked the
very spirit of the dance, and her enraptured--audience only allowed
her to stop when she was absolutely breathless.
'Oh what a beautiful evening!' exclaimed Elsie, when the celebration
was finally over. 'Was there ever such a dear, dear canyon with such
dear people in it! If it only wouldn't rain and we could live here
for ever!'
'Rain, rain, stay away!
Come again another day,
Little Elsie wants to play,'
recited Polly, and then everybody went to their straw beds.
CHAPTER XI: BREAKING CAMP
'The thirsty earth soaks up the rain,
And drinks and gapes for drink again;
The plants suck in the earth and are,
With constant drinking, fresh and fair.
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