He had been among the first to convert these virgin wastes into rich meadow-lands, supplementing the natural pasturage with alfalfa.

Where one beast had found sustenance before, he now had three.

"The table is set," he would chuckle, "we must now go in search of the guests." And he kept on buying, at ridiculous prices, herds dying of hunger in others' uncultivated fields, constantly increasing his opulent lands and stock.
One morning Desnoyers saved his life.

The old ranchman had raised his lash against a recently arrived peon who returned the attack, knife in hand.

Madariaga was defending himself as best he could, convinced from one minute to another that he was going to receive the deadly knife-thrust--when Desnoyers arrived and, drawing his revolver, overcame and disarmed the adversary.
"Thanks, Frenchy," said the ranchman, much touched.