Alaire's hacienda comprised a hundred thousand acres or more--
lacking a thorough survey, she had never determined exactly how
much land she really owned--and the property fronted upon a stream
of water. In any other country it would have been a garden of
riches, but agriculture was well-nigh impossible in northern
Mexico. For several years now the instability of the government
had precluded any plan of development, and, in consequence, the
fields were out of cultivation and cattle grazed over the moist
bottom lands, belly deep in grass. The entire ranch had been given
over to pasture, and even now, after Alaire had sold off much of
her stock because of the war, the task of accurately counting what
remained required a longer time than she had expected, and her
visit lengthened.
However, life in the roomy, fortress-like adobe house was pleasant
enough. Dolores saw to her mistress's wants, and the regular
inhabitants of La Feria were always extravagantly glad to make
their employer welcome. They were a simple, mirth-loving,
industrious people, little concerned over the war, so long as they
were unmolested, but obviously relieved to see Alaire because of
their recent fright at the incursion of Longorio's troops.
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