Spanish bayonets, straight and sharp as enchanted swords which had
magically flowered, lilied the desert stretches, and there were strange
red blossoms like drops of blood clinging to the points of long daggers.
Bird of Paradise plants were there, too, well named for their plumy
splendour of crimson, white, and yellow; and as the spring advanced the
China trees brought memories of English lilacs.
The air was sweet with the scent of locust blossoms, and along the clear
horizon fantastically formed mountains seemed to float like changing
cloud-shapes.
The cattle, which Knight had bought from the departing rancher, had their
corrals and scanty pastures far from the house, but the cowboys' quarters
were near, and Annesley never tired of seeing the laughing young men
mount and ride their slim, nervous horses.
This fact they got to know, and performed incredible antics to excite her
admiration. They thought her beautiful, and wondered if she had lost
someone whom she loved, that she should look so cold and sad.
These men, though she seldom spoke to any, were a comfort to Annesley.
Without their shouts and rough jokes and laughter the place would have
been gloomy as a grave.
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