But Hardy proved to be an aggressive fighter when the meeting took place,
and spoke in sharp tones of the Government's dilatoriness. He had come to
Arizona right after his wife's death in the East, and brought his only
daughter and a few servants with him. He seemed to have plenty of money,
and he was anxious lest the invading Mexicans should get any of it away
from him. His holdings, in the eight years since he had come to the border,
amounted to several thousand well-cultivated acres; and he looked like a
man who, when he set out to get anything, would get it. He had an
inordinate desire to grab up some more territory. Tall and thin, and
sharp-featured, as well as sharp-tongued, he resembled a hawk. It was
difficult to realize the fact that the pert and lovely little Angela--who
lived up to her name only once in a while!--was his own flesh and blood. It
was as incongruous as though a rose had grown on a beanstalk.
On their very first meeting, Gilbert had not been pleasantly impressed with
Hardy. But he soon saw that the man had a certain rugged strength, and
there was no doubt he had suffered from the depredations of Mexico's casual
visitors, and was ready to protect not only his own interests but those of
any newcomers.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25