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diff --git a/56355-0.txt b/56355-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3eaa1df --- /dev/null +++ b/56355-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14741 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 56355 *** + + + + + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: BUILDING FROM WHICH STANISLAUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS STOLE +TWO HUNDRED INDIAN MAIDENS + +"When Padre Osuna trails us he can perform a hundred double weddings at +once"] + + + + + The Bride of Mission + San José + + A Tale of Early California + + By + JOHN AUGUSTINE CULL + + + + THE ABINGDON PRESS + NEW YORK CINCINNATI + + + + + Copyright, 1920, by + JOHN AUGUSTINE CULL + + + + +CHARACTERS PROMINENT IN THE STORY + +SEÑOR MENDOZA, former Colonel in Napoleonic wars; subsequently, +Administrator of Mission San José de Guadalupe, Santa Clara Valley, +California; later Governor of the province. + +CARMELITA MENDOZA, daughter of Señor Mendoza. + +PADRE LUSCIANO OSUNA, Spiritual Head of Mission San José de Guadalupe. + +CAPTAIN MORANDO, Comandante of the Pueblo of San José; afterward +General of all the land forces of the department of California. + +COLONEL BARCELO, Comandante of the Presidio of Monterey, and acting +Governor of California. + +CHARLES O'DONNELL, in the secret service of the United States. + +SEÑORA VALENTINO, in the secret service of England. + +CAPTAIN FARQUHARSON, English representative extraordinary in the +province. + +COMMODORE BILLINGS, Commanding the American fleet in the Pacific. + +ADMIRAL FAIRBANKS, Commanding the British fleet in the Pacific. + +YOSCOLO, Famous Indian chief. + +STANISLAUS, Lieutenant of Yoscolo. + +BROWN, Factotum of Captain Farquharson; later, in the employ of Señor +Mendoza. + +Time: 1842 to 1846. + + + + + Contents + + Chapter + + I. A Serenade in the Moonlight + II. The Lion and the Lamb Lie Down Together + III. A Dip into the Past + IV. A Stranger Visits Señor Mendoza + V. Another Stranger Makes a Visit + VI. The Merienda + VII. A Night Spent in a Cave + VIII. The Political Pot Simmers + IX. Señora Valentino Seeks to Interest Padre Osuna + X. The Beginning of the Ball at Señor Mendoza's Hacienda House + XI. At the Supper + XII. Carmelita Dances El Son + XIII. Returning from the Ball + XIV. O'Donnell Takes A Horseback Ride + XV. Señora Valentino Makes a Report + XVI. The Señorita of the Window Pane + XVII. O'Donnell Settles with Yoscolo + XVIII. Farquharson Meets with a Loss + XIX. Señora Valentino and Captain Morando Continue Conversation + XX. Bitter Sweet + XXI. A Few Diplomatic Touches + XXII. Almost-- + XXIII. Pedro Zelaya Brings Important News + XXIV. The Next Day + XXV. Brown Takes a Hand at Diplomacy + XXVI. Braving the Storm + XXVII. But Yet a Woman + XXVIII. A Daughter of the De La Mendoza + XXIX. A Departure + XXX. Odds and Ends + XXXI. Across the Years + XXXII. A Wedding + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A SERENADE IN THE MOONLIGHT + +"Fairer art thou than the lily, than the rose more sweet," sang a +mellow baritone voice. A guitar thrummed accompaniment. At the end of +his improvisation the singer waved the instrument gracefully, now in +sweeping stroke, again in shorter measure, as if he were a maestro +directing his musicians. Then he touched the strings in melancholy +strain: + +"Beat, beat, little dove, thy tender wings against thy iron cage." + +Next triumphantly he intoned: + +"Fly away, little dove, fly away; the cruel bars are broken." + +Once more in pantomime he directed his fancied musicians. + +"What is it, Don Alfredo? Art fanning thyself, or do mosquitoes annoy +thee?" + +He looked upward into a pair of dark, laughing eyes not three feet +distant. + +"O, Doña Carmelita," rapturously, "I was marking rhythm for the angel +choirs which sing in praise of thy beauty and charm. They sing of one +angel, even thou, Doña mia, more fair than they." + +The girl withdrew from the embrasure, brushing her fan across its +iron-barred front. + +"I shut out, Don Alfredo, thy foolish words. I drive them back into +the air. I fear the angels are displeased at thy presumption. Many +nights have you sung here meaningless words, empty nothings; but even +better such than to speak thoughts which must offend the saints in +heaven." + +"O, Doña Carmelita, let me once again see thy eyes sparkle in the +moonlight; add a flash or two from thy teeth of pearl----" + +"Hush, Don Alfredo, or I leave. Perhaps at other embrasures not far +away wait caballeros, not so vain as to fancy themselves directors of +the music celestial. Good night, Don Alfredo. Clip the wings of thy +imagination lest thou fly too near the sun." + +"O, Doña mia, do not go away. If it please thee I'll praise the +heavenly angels." + +The window was suddenly closed. + +"Caramba! again. It's difficult for a soldier to trim his tongue that +he may speak words of love to the tender ears of the capricious +señorita." + +"Good evening, Captain Morando." + +The soldier turned abruptly. At his side stood Señor Mendoza, +administrator of the Mission of San José, gravely looking at him. + +"Good evening, your Excellency. I hope your health is all of the +best," somewhat discomposedly. + +"Many thanks, Captain. Your hope is generously fulfilled in me, for my +health is indeed good." + +The Administrator's expression became quizzical. "May I ask you, brave +soldier, why you stand on guard here in the moonlight, bearing that +singular-appearing firearm?" pointing to the guitar. "Can it be that +renegade Indians threaten?" + +"When a soldier stands at guard, Señor Administrator, may there not be +motives many, other than renegade Indians?" + +The other laughed and changed the subject. "Did I but dream the +comandante of the pueblo of San José was to be here to-night, he would +have been invited to sit with our council meeting but now concluded. +Spring advances, and the rains fall not. Never has Alta California +seen such drought. Our live stock sadly need grazing and water. Hence +I called the council. I would that you had been present. The military +mind is fertile in expedient." + +"I fear it would be sadly deficient in surmounting the need of a south +wind." + +"Our Captain has wit, as well as vigilance. But I am forgetting +hospitality, soldier protector of the Mission. Come within. Let +others woo, if they will, the goddess of dreams, but for you and me the +pleasures of fellowship will hasten lagging hours." + +"I thank you, Señor Mendoza, but I fear----" + +"Fear never a moment, friend Morando. Sentinels watch over us in +valley and on hill, men trusty, tried, and true. Eyes have they as +keen as eagles; the ears and the swiftness of the fox are theirs. +Therefore no vigil need thou keep for us." + +Morando still hesitated. + +"Come now. Right glad am I that you are here. Within, a glass of +wine, a chat, perhaps a harmless game at cards, await us. Soon roll +the hours away. Then you gallop across the pastures, alas! dry and +bare now, to the pueblo of San José. I seek my couch soothed by your +young companionship. Now, what wilt thou?" + +An inarticulate sound behind the embrasure. Don Alfredo could have +sworn it concealed a silvery laugh from the fair Doña Carmelita. + +"The night birds are calling, Don Alfredo. Did you not just hear +them?" looking slyly at the captain. "They are sleepy and we arouse +them." + +Holding his arm and talking the while about the drought and other +difficulties the Administrator led Don Alfredo within. + +"Brave Captain, place that death-dealing weapon on the chair," pointing +a second time to the guitar. "Some new invention, of course, though I +seem to see something familiar about it. Seat yourself on that settee. +It came to me from Madrid." + +"Thank you, señor." + +With a smile as gracious as the moonlight the señor said: "At another +time I would ask my daughter, the Doña Carmelita, to join us for a +little visit, but the child is young and the night already late. She +would doubtless wish to sleep." + +They were in the Administrator's private sitting room, the duplicate of +a room in his father's castle in Spain. Priceless Persian rugs were on +the floor, with high-back chairs of solid mahogany everywhere about. A +massive secretary, likewise of mahogany, stood at one side. Tapestries +designed in Seville hung on one of the walls; weapons of the hunt and +of war, another; while oil paintings of battles, in many of which the +family Mendoza had been distinguished, completed the adornment. + +"Caramba! I ride miles to serenade the daughter; and here I am in the +hacienda house, the guest of the father, while the señorita is +somewhere in the courtyard, laughing, I'm sure--yes, laughing," thought +the young soldier. + +"Some wine, my Captain? Genuine Malaga it is, guaranteed by government +stamp, not the juice of the old Mission grape, excellent as that is. +Now, the cigarros. Let us speak, Señor Captain, of the General +Guerrero. I understand he was once commander of that division in Spain +from which you have so lately come. Am I correct?" + +"You are, señor. The General was my commander so recently that one +year will more than bridge the time." + +"Guerrero was my captain when, as a subaltern, I sailed these western +seas, and saw service in the Philippines--service that was service. +Tell me of my one-time leader. Is he well?" + +"He is well, and the years have small meaning to his strength." + +Captain Morando talked with his host of the campaigns of General +Guerrero in the Spanish trans-Mediterranean dependencies; of the newly +concluded peace there; and of the retirement of the General by the age +limit, but all the while his mind was fashioning love songs outside the +window of the fair señorita. Through the haze of tobacco smoke the +strong, kindly face of the Administrator of Mission San José de +Guadalupe softened into the sweet face of the doña, with her laughing +eyes and beautiful hair; his deep voice gave way to the lighter tones +of the daughter. + +"Peace in North Africa brought relief to the young soldier from +discomforts of the campaign. Was it not so?" + +"Señor Mendoza, it brought the weariness of camp and garrison. The +morning drill, the after-luncheon parade, the society function in the +evening, ill filled my idea of the life a man should live. Besides, +the ambitious soldier sees advancement only in a life of action. I +sought a change and I found one. My resignation was easily effected. +I then carried my letters to the Mexican war secretary, whom I made +acquainted with my preference. Accordingly, came my assignment to San +José pueblo." + +"Good! Good, my Captain! During my visit in Mexico just concluded I +learned that you had been appointed comandante. Some wine in your +glass?" + +"No more, thank you." + +"What, not any? The young man is abstemious. That is well. Strong +and lusty age follows youth lived along the way of moderation." + +The men puffed their cigars. Higher and higher, in widening circles, +rose the incense of the fragrant leaf. The Administrator was busy with +his thoughts; likewise the guest. "His daughter, he intimates, is too +young for late hours. Many a night, at low twelve, during his sojourn +in Mexico, have I sung to her from my corner in the courtyard. What +would he say if he knew that to-night is not my first visit +thither--nor yet my second--nor my third--nor yet----" + +The older man broke the silence. "Soldier, our California needs men." + +Morando started slightly, then signified by a movement of the head that +he had heard. Mendoza exhaled several whiffs of his Havana before +speaking further, meanwhile surveying the alert form and soldierly +features of the Captain. + +"Life is not all play, as many appear to think it is. Our province has +passed the years of childhood. With maturity comes duty as waking with +day." + +The soldier listened with interest. + +"I believe the cleavage of California and Mexico is near at hand. They +fall apart by their own weight. Even the Mexican secretary of state +spoke openly of this to me a month ago." + +"Then what comes, Señor Mendoza?" + +"There comes that which we ourselves make. On an ethical foundation of +the highest order must we build our body politic. Then, when our +province becomes free, some protecting nation will extend to us a +sister's hand. If in this fruitful land there should prevail the +spirit of sweet-do-nothingness, how can we hope that others will +consider us highly while we deem ourselves lightly?" + +"My time here has been too short to have studied these matters +carefully. However, I have heard men speak of a California republic." + +"The vision of dreamers, my Captain. We have neither army nor navy, +nor can we hope to have them. How could we unaided hold this province +situated as it is, the commercial center of these seas and the bosom of +resources as yet scarcely touched?" + +"Then, in your judgment, it should not be a question of absolute +independence?" + +"In one sense, no. Yet, I favor a rule by the people. People of +enlightenment will govern wisely. Captain Morando, we need men, more +men, who will place the common good above their private interest." + +"You speak the duty of the soldier, Señor Mendoza." + +"It is so, Captain." Then turning the conversation back to the +situation in the Santa Clara valley: "Have you run across Stanislaus +yet? No? Nor Yoscolo? Well, I hope you will soon see both over your +pistol barrel. They are a menace to the peace in our valley. Yoscolo +is the abler of the two. Many a lively skirmish have my fighting peons +had with the scoundrel." + +During this time the Doña Carmelita mounted a staircase and walked +along a passage which had its way over a high, wide adobe wall leading +from one part of the house to another. The moonlight fell in weird +fantasy on the hacienda grounds. Palms, evergreens, flowers assumed +moving shapes, as if engaged in low but animated conversation. + +Breezes from San Francisco Bay flowed intermittently into the +courtyard, shaking the branches and rattling the leaves. One stronger +gust caught spray from a fountain and sent it eddying into the white +night. The awakened birds murmured sleepily and myriad crickets +chirped remonstrance. Three Spanish mastiffs, guardians of the +inclosure, edged away from the impromptu shower, then looked up +furtively at the girl, ashamed of temporary cowardice. + +Anon there floated down to her from the heights beyond the call of the +Indian sentinel as he made his rounds, "Love to God!" followed by the +reply from one of his fellows, "Love to God!" With a dozen tongues the +hills took up the refrain, "Love to God! Love to God!" + +"What can my father and Captain Morando find to talk about so long! +Men can gossip as well as women when they are so minded." + +She mounted another flight of outside stairs that led to the top of the +buildings which formed three sides of the courtyard. The courtyard +door was open. Several peons were holding the struggling watchdog +while another brought Morando's horse. + +"Hold fast those dogs!" Señor Mendoza said to the Indians. "They are +as fierce as tigers. Good-night, Captain Morando. Remember two weeks +from Thursday evening, at six. My daughter's dueña will be home from +Monterey, and we'll have both to dine with us, with perhaps a few +friends, just a valecito casero--a little house party. Good-night. +Glad you've some men in the village. The country won't be safe till we +rid it of those miscreant renegades. Good-night, Captain." + +The heavy door closed. The doña saw that Captain Morando rode around +the courtyard to the embrasure window, halted and looked up anxiously. +Walking to the edge of the roof she stood there, a beautiful picture. +He waved his hand. + +"O, doña mia--" he began. Unfastening a rose from her hair she tossed +it to him. The pulsing air caught it, and swaying, whirling, it fell. +He reined in his horse, urged it forward, swung it around, keeping in +the uncertain downward path of the rose, till finally its stem rested +in his hand. + +He kissed the flower again and again; then holding it up to her, waved +it in rhythmic motion as he had done before with the guitar. + +"O, doña mia--" he began once more, but the watchdogs bayed savagely +and rushed against the adobe fence. His horse shied and sprang away. +He wheeled back again. + +The señorita had disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE LION AND THE LAMB LIE DOWN TOGETHER + +Most unwonted drought had laid a withering hand on fertile Santa Clara +valley that year. March had come and no vast stretches of wild oats +measured the way from foothill to bay; no juicy grazing for cattle and +horses on the rich bottom lands. The plain-brown color-tone of autumn +prevailed, not that of spring, in triumphant green and promise of rich +harvest. + +This interchange prevailed almost everywhere except around the gushing +springs at the Mission San José. Here rioted nature in her proudest +fancy, for the intense warmth of day and night had brought to blossom +before their time wild plant, oleander, and fruit tree. Here was green +grass in luxuriant abundance, while the tall mustard flaunted its +yellow top as usual, and afforded a resting place for chattering +blackbird and twittering linnet. + +The springs on the Administrator's property several miles north of +Mission San José had gradually diminished in flow until only unsightly, +trampled mud remained where was a limpid lake in happier years. + +The geyserlike warm springs on the property of Don Fulgencio Higuera, +Señor Mendoza's neighbor to the south, had suddenly run dry. In fact, +not more than half a dozen sources of water-supply remained within a +radius of a score of miles. The like had never been known, not even in +the memory of the oldest Indian in the valley. + +Weird relics of Druidic worship, half forgotten under the tutelage of +the Mission padres, were revived in forest and mountain. Vast columns +of smoke, odoriferous of cedar and bay-leaf, reached high toward heaven +in the motionless air. The ancient name of Oroysom replaced on many a +tongue that of the smoothly flowing Mission San José de Guadalupe, +which name the missionaries had given the region when their work of +Christianizing the Indians began. + +"Oroysom, Oroysom, begs thee, Great Spirit, to awake," sang the +aborigine. "Let the perfume of laurel propitiate thee. Let the +sweetness of the smoke of cedar be a gracious offering unto thee. On +the fields of Oroysom no food for beast is found. Gaunt famine is +rushing hither in wind-swift pace. Our hunters search stream and +wildwood, but find no food for the child, the women, the old people. +There is no maize, no field of growing wheat; and, lo! the garden is +dry and empty. Oroysom calls on thee, Father of the rain, Source of +the springs, and Giver of the harvest, to arouse from slumber and +forget no longer the people who from old have honored thee." + +Around the great fires at night the Indians swung hand in hand, swaying +in willowy motion as they chanted their incantation. Their shadows +danced in wildest abandon on the mammoth rocks or mountain peaks which +formed the background of the strange scene. + +Señor Mendoza, the leading spirit among the landholders on the eastern +side of the valley, endeavored, as, indeed, did his neighbors, to +maintain equanimity, but there was much anxiety among all. + +Even water for family use had to be carried on horseback, the vaqueros +from ranchos miles away coming to the few remaining water-supplies, and +riding back with the precious water skins over the pommel of the saddle. + +It was the last week of January when the Administrator first called his +fellow landowners together to consider what could be done. They +gathered in his sitting room. Graybeards they were, the most of them, +and rich in the wisdom of many years, as well as in landed possessions. + +Long they smoked the cigarros of the provident Administrator and sipped +his rare wines, the while exchanging polite remarks on the nothings of +the day. This was their way while waiting to begin attack on some +weighty subject. Finally Señor Mendoza ordered the serving peons to +bring on his choicest cognac, a select French product. + +"The Administrator is vastly disturbed over this rainless winter," +whispered Don Pedro Zelaya, of the rancho San Lorenzo, to Don Fulgencio +Higuera, of the rancho Aguas Calientes. "Paris knows no better cognac +than I see here. I divine his anxiety by the quality of his liquors. +Last year when renegade Indians threatened he furnished our meeting +here with a Portuguese cordial mild as milk. Much as he fears the +prowling Yoscolo and Stanislaus, he measures them not high in +comparison with this drought." + +The leonine-appearing Señor Higuera squared his yard-wide shoulders to +attention as he sat in his high-backed chair. His eye ran slowly over +the slender and dapper Señor Zelaya. A trace of humor stole into his +eyes, then over his bearded face. "Brandy in the head seldom lends +swiftness to the feet. Is it not so?" + +Pedro Zelaya was the swiftest foot-racer in the province of California. +He was also a lover of good eating and drinking. When training for his +famous races he must forego the delicacies of his French cook, and the +bouquet of imported wine, which deprivations he relished not over well. + +"A thimbleful of brandy is given even to a bull-fighter before the +contest," replied Señor Zelaya, bowing politely and suavely smiling. + +Years before the doughty Señor Higuera had seized and held by the horns +an infuriated bull which, maddened by eating the dreaded rattleweed, a +venomous plant then common, had left the herd and rushed up on Higuera, +who was standing, with his wife and children, in the open before the +courtyard of his hacienda house. + +The peons served the cognac in long, slender-stemmed goblets. Señor +Mendoza raised his glass, looked for a moment at the amber liquid, then +sipped it gently. Lowering the glass he glanced around at the +assembled company. Each man, following the example of the host, tasted +the contents of his own glass, and then allowed his eyes to rest on the +Señor Administrator. + +This process was repeated once, twice, three times, until each had +finished his beverage. + +Señor Mendoza's aquiline features, garnished by mustache and imperial, +and embellished by a waving iron-gray hair, fell into severer mold. + +"Señors, my friends, may I have your attention?" + +No one spoke. + +"Señors," his tones serious and resonant, "it is not raining to-day." + +His assertion was not disputed. The rays of the sun streamed into the +room. It was afternoon and the delicately tinted stained glass of the +windows was resplendent in the light. + +"It rained not yesterday, nor in the yesterday of many months," looking +from one to another of his company, as if in search of opposition. + +The señors, in solemn concord, bowed in corroboration of his statement. + +"The soft south wind blows not. Overhead is the summer sun. I see no +hope of rain to-morrow." + +The grave señors acquiesced. + +"Indians in thousands, beasts in tens of thousands, are on our lands. +Responsibilities, neither few nor doubtful, weigh on our shoulders. If +it rains not to-morrow, nor yet till the to-morrows touch late spring, +how can we fulfill the duty this province of Alta California lays at +our door, that our aborigine wards lack not the sustenance their +condition demands?" + +His look went from face to face. Suddenly he stood upright. + +"Señors, to save our people we must save our cattle. Even if the rain +comes, the feed will be late. Therefore our herds must go elsewhere +soon, or only their dried bones will see another year. Whither shall +we take them?" + +The foremost in the council gave their views. + +"The river to the north, called Russian, nourishes vast cañons of +redwood forest. The soil is ever moist where the heaven-searching +redwood grows. Let rafts be made to ferry the animals to the shore of +Contra Costa. In another year they will return, with increase, fat and +safe. Our peons throughout the year can call hither from that region +the supplies we need." Thus Don Antonio Peralta. + +As he concluded the other leaders bowed to him solemnly. + +The dapper Zelaya indicated to his host, who was yet standing, his wish +to speak. + +The quiet humor in the heart of Señor Higuera stole again into his eyes +and over his face and reached his tongue. "Swiftness in the feet means +quickness in the mind directing those feet. Let us hear Señor Zelaya." + +The lord of the rancho San Lorenzo looked musingly at his friend. "I +doubt greatly that even Señor Higuera could hold a grizzly bear by the +horns, since that creature possesses none. At any rate, the grizzly +has strength yet greater than our mighty Higuera here. The deep +shadows of the Russian river cañons shelter these enemies in numbers. +Our vaqueros could little protect their charges in those glades and +thickets. Señors," impressively, "if our live stock are to leave their +bones bleaching anywhere this season, why send them abroad to seek this +privilege?" + +"Brava!" said the giant Higuera, smiling approval. + +Some one then spoke of the pasturage away to the south, in the valley +of the Salinas, or even the rolling lands of Santa Barbara. But the +feed could but poorly support the herds already there, so one said who +recently had traveled about. + +Mendoza resumed his seat, since no one spoke further. For a moment he +silently regarded his neighbors. At last: "Friends and brothers mine, +Señor Peralta has spoken of the north country as a possible solution +for our imminent difficulties. Señor Zelaya is right. The Russian +bear, as well as the California grizzly, would divide our property by +piecemeal there. There are yet the river beds of the Sacramento and +the San Joaquin." + +"But Yoscolo and Stanislaus and their thousand renegades!" objected +one. "We go to the mouth of the tiger. More than ever are these men +active now." + +"Our fighting peons equal in strength their recreant fellows. Nothing +remains but for us to cross the passes to the soft bottom lands in the +eastern valleys. Señors, shall we go?" + +The Administrator's judgment was accepted, and the visitors, standing, +drank another glass of brandy and departed. + +Early the next day began a great exodus of cattle and horses through +mountain defile, north and south, to the flat lowlands across the +mountain ranges, Indian vaqueros, peons armed with bows and arrows, and +here and there a Spaniard with a flint-lock musket going with the herds. + +Despite the general departure of live stock the late spring saw +wondrous commotion about the watering troughs of Señor Mendoza. Cattle +from the hills, from the marshes of the bay, from no one knew where, +scented water and rushed in thirst-madness to the Mission of San José; +bellowing, leaping, rolling over and over in their frenzy to reach the +water! + +All day long did the vaqueros rush into the surging tumult, springing +with the swiftness of the cat from back to back of cattle or horse in +the plunging mass, separating the press here to save the weaker animals +from suffocation, opening lanes there to allow ingress to the troughs. +Bellowing of cattle mingled with neighing of horses in wildest +confusion. Famine showed feverlike in their eyes and echoed madly in +their cries. During the day the battle raged, but at night they drew +away to the hills looking for the lower tree-foliage and the scanty +leaf-forage. + +Then came other animals to the water. Thirst drew them from the +mountains and drove away their fear of man. The gaunt bear lapped from +the trough, and though the bow of the hunter was bent and the arrow +aimed to slay, pity withheld the arrow. + +The timid deer stood unafraid at the side of its ancient enemies, man +and bear. The scream of the mountain lion mingled with the howl of the +wolf, as they ran about among men, looking for food after they had +quenched their thirst at the watering place. + +Some strange chivalry, deep residing in the beasts of prey, held the +weaker denizens of the wildwood in safety from claw and fang. In their +dire adversity came a literal fulfillment of the old prophecy that the +lion and the lamb should lie down together. + +Señor Mendoza and his friends faced bravely the difficult situation. + +"Our Indian brother shows now his likeness of spirit to the four-footed +dwellers of the wood. Famine madness possesses both. Together do they +roam by day and weirdly cry by night," said Mendoza in the council of +his neighbors. + +"The Indians lack not food or water," said some one. "What need of +such strange actions?" + +"The savage is close to the surface in every nature," replied Mendoza. +"Among our Indian friends the outcropping is more easily apparent." + +Several began speaking at the same time, an unusual thing in that +placid assembly. Like a murmur it began, but rose to distinct word and +ordered expression. "Our wives, our children, our lives, are in danger +from these mad wards the province has given us." + +"Our soldiers are at the pueblo," said one. + +"They number less than fifty. The Indians have strength and to spare +to drive our few troopers into the San Francisco bay," said Zelaya. + +"Why were so many aborigines trained in the use of the musket and +lance?" from some one else. + +"They have fought our battles against their untamed brethren for a +generation," replied Mendoza. + +As usual this meeting was in Mendoza's house. Directly across the road +was the Mission church. + +As if to give emphasis to the fears but just expressed from everywhere +there came the peculiar semitone that only moccasined feet can make. A +thousand footfalls centered their way to the old adobe church. The +Indians poured through the open doors into the auditorium until it +overflowed. Like restless ants those who could not get within ran +around the building, filling every approach, surging in resistless +multitude, as did the thirst-driven cattle around the water source. + +"They have gone entirely mad! First they will destroy the church, then +fall on our families and on us," came somewhere from the elders. "Let +us fly to our hacienda houses, barricade our gates, and fight to the +end." + +"Let us wait," suggested Mendoza, "and see further." + +With sudden impulse the aborigines began to move from side to side in +singular unison. At first they uttered no sound, then came a crooning +of strange medleys in lifeless, indistinct tones. + +"They commence thus their war dance!" + +Señor Mendoza shrugged. + +A tall Indian mounted the church steps. He turned. His face was +wrinkled, his long hair, white, yet straight and sturdy he stood before +the undulating throng. + +"'Tis old Juan Antonio, major-domo of the Mission there. When did he +come from the region of the San Joaquin? He and the padre drove +thither their cattle even before we sent away ours." + +The man waved his hand over the people. The tumult was lessened. From +the church came the soft chords of the organ. A powerful voice intoned. + +"My soul hath magnified the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my +Saviour." + +The organ swelled in thunder notes, as the faithful within the church +took up the antistrophe: + +"For behold he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid, and from +henceforth all generations shall call me blessed." + +Thus was sung the Magnificat. + +A man came out to the church door. Youth was on face and figure, but +care and illness lined his features and bowed the shoulders that showed +broad even under his friar's robe. In movements as graceful as a +feather's dip he pointed to the Indians, then to their homes scattered +over valley and hill. In another gesture he motioned to the neophytes +to be on their way. They looked stolidly at one another, then back to +the padre who remained standing with his arm outstretched. Savagery +flamed anew in their faces. With the growl of an angry beast about to +rend its prey they rushed up the steps. The friar, motionless, still +stood before them, still pointing to their houses. The mob charged on. +They were but a pace distant when, as one man, they paused, held in +check by the unswerving calm of the churchman. Back from him, step by +step, they went till the ground was reached. Again they paused and +looked up at the friar, indecision written on their faces. The padre +did not move. With a single impulse they turned homeward and silently +filed along the road, in obedience to Padre Osuna's unspoken command. +Soon the friar and Juan Antonio were alone. They walked down to a +courtyard gate not unlike Señor Mendoza's, and disappeared within. + +Mendoza and his friends had witnessed the drama to its close. + +A rumbling sounded in the distance which soon resolved itself into the +measured tramp of horses, so many that their coming shook the ground. +The riders, in uniform, with lance in hand and carbine slung over +shoulder, pushed their mounts foaming at mouth and flank to the +courtyard gate. + +"The cavalry from San José!" cried Mendoza. "What brings them in such +haste?" + +An officer sprang from his horse. + +The Administrator opened his window. "Captain Morando!" + +The Captain saluted. + +"Why this force, Señor Captain?" + +"Message was hurried to me that your Indians, frenzied by pagan rites, +were about to make an attack. I gathered my men, together with such +volunteers as the pueblo afforded, and hot-foot came to the rescue. I +see, instead, the Indians going quietly to their homes. What does it +mean?" + +"Come within, Señor Captain." + +In a moment Morando stood with the others. + +The señor told him of the coming of the padre and his dispersal of the +Indians. + +Señorita Carmelita entered the room, bowing to her father, then to the +others. + +"O, papacito, my Indian maids who ran away last week, in their madness, +are back all sane and cool. They ask your forgiveness and a new lease +of service." + +"You alone have to do with them, my child." + +The Captain was standing at attention. Red lightly tinged the girl's +cheek as she saw him. She again bowed, and went out, with "I thank +you, papacito." + +The Indian maidens were heard on the outside loudly wailing their +thanks to the señorita, as was the way of children of the wild when +penitent. + +"Señors, we need----" + +"Rain," interrupted the quiet Higuera. + +"Señors," continued Zelaya, taking no notice of the interruption, "we +need thank the reverend padre for his work this day. Besides, he is +ill, and even an enemy who is ill is entitled to our consideration and +sympathy. I do not mean he is our enemy," he quickly added. + +"I shall do myself the honor of calling upon him," came from Mendoza. +"As Administrator of this Mission and its lands I am interested in +everyone in the Mission, including its spiritual head. Some Jesuit +bark I chance to have will not come amiss in this fever of the river +bottoms. I fancy but little remains in the province." + +The company departed, the soldiery to the San José pueblo, the land +barons to their hacienda houses. + +The hundreds of white adobe cots which swarmed around each grandee's +mansion, as well as around the Mission buildings, sheltered that +evening the retainer occupants who for days had forgotten service to +their feudal lords and the ways civilization had taught them. Once +more hill and valley were dotted with the blaze of camp fires before +the Indian doorposts. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A DIP INTO THE PAST + +The family Mendoza had deserved well of the Spanish crown. Stanch +supporters of the kingdom had they ever been. Their talents, their +wealth, their lives they held only as in trust to be devoted, whenever +came the call, to the higher, the nobler good. + +Adventurous too were the citizens of that name. With Pizarro they +overthrew the Incas of Peru. With Hernando Cortez they stormed the +place of strength of the Montezumas. Their swords flashed north and +south in the conquering of vast empires. Few of them returned from +these scenes of glory, and of those few the greater part were maimed +and broken men. The native arrow or the fever swamp claimed life or +health of the valiant conquistador, not excepting the famous Mendozas. + +Thus sifted in the sieve of centuries, the family Mendoza fell +gradually in numbers from men sufficient to fill half a regiment, as in +the old crusader times, to but two representatives, of whom the younger +was Jesus Maria y José. + +By law of entail the elder brother received the land and fortunes of +that once powerful family. A lieutenantship in the army was the +portion of the young Jesus Maria y José, a slender consolation, it +might seem, but the bold-spirited youth accepted it with gracious +willingness. + +His eighteenth year found him embarking on a transport bound for the +dangerous service of the Philippines, with a soldiery gathered from the +Spanish prisons. To quell and govern such men was a pleasing +experience to the Castilian boy; not that the task was an easy one, or +that he would have it so. + +In the becalmed waters of the tropics the sterling metal of the +youthful officer first showed itself. Here the mutinous intent of the +men, long smoldering under restraint of discipline, resolved into +action. + +Early one morning the alarm bell rang loud of danger. The officers +hurried on deck to find nearly every soldier under arms and calling +aloud for vengeance on the oppressors, as they called their superiors. +The leader was a huge, bull-necked cutthroat who once had been a bandit +in the Pyrenees. + +"Each mincing ladies' man among you shall walk the plank, before the +guns of my brave fellows here, and we'll cheer you pretty, scented +gentlemen as you battle in the water with the sharks," shouted the +jeering leader. + +Shouts of applause came from the men, mingled with jibes and curses. + +Mendoza asked of his captain that he be allowed to speak with the chief +mutineer. He stated briefly his purpose. Permission was given, for +the situation was desperate. + +The officers, but a score, faced full five hundred men, all armed. +Even the artillery of the regiment, shotted to the mouth, was gaping +angrily at them from the ranks of the ruffians across deck. + +The lieutenant walked to the front bearing his naked rapier in his +hand, while the mutinous soldiers, half drunken with liquor looted from +the stores of the ship, howled at him. + +"Mamma's pet comes straight from the bath to drive about as cattle men +that are men. Back to your crib, you reptile infant, or I'll grind you +under my heel," threatened the leader. + +In incoherent echo his followers stormed: "Throw him to the sharks, for +cubs become wolves--cut him into pieces--cast him into the ovens!" + +"Attention!" called the young man. + +Something, perhaps innate animal respect for bravery, called for +obedience. Silence and expectancy fell over them. + +"You pretend to despise all your officers. I am the youngest and least +among them, yet I dare the best among you to fight me here, I with this +light rapier against your heavy cutlass." + +The boastful leader pushed forward. Around the villain's head swung +his cutlass flaming and glancing in the tropic sun. + +"Aha! Aha! young sprig!" in half-drunken glee. "Hear the whistling +air divide before my cutlass's edge. I'll strip you from your skin, +inch by inch, and dry it on your cabin door. Come now, point to point, +you young patrician fool!" + +He struck a cleaving blow at the figure before him. The lieutenant's +rapier caught the descending blade, wound itself in serpentine curves +around it and drew away. The cutlass hurtled to the floor a half dozen +paces distant. Numbness seized the mutineer's arm from wrist to +shoulder. He examined the member in search of a wound, but found none. + +The pack of insubordinates, impelled by their wolf-nature, would follow +the leader if he conquered, or rend him if he fell. + +Murmurs like the first swell of an angry sea rose among the mob, then +burst into yells of derision. + +"A schoolboy makes our mighty leader play the fool!" + +"Yes, he swings his cutlass as a housewife the broom." + +"Throw him overboard and elect a man, not some awkward cow!" + +Young Mendoza stood with rapier poised, aimed at his opponent's heart. + +"Curse the tricks of feinting and legerdemain your namby-pamby schools +teach you in Madrid. Drop your steel fork there and I'll tear you to +pieces with my hands." + +Instantly the rapier was side by side with the cutlass. + +The leader darted forward, his fists striking flaillike blows at the +lithe form of the lieutenant. + +Mendoza stepped lightly to one side. The opponent stumbled past him. + +As the mutineer turned, the open palms of the clever boxer landed right +and left with resounding smack on his nose and mouth. Raging and +cursing, the ruffian again sprang at the officer. Once, twice, thrice, +did the youth's palms beat tattoo on his adversary's bleeding features. +Dazed by the blows the man at last fell to the deck. + +Hoarse, derisive cries from the band of mutineers again greeted the +prostrate man. + +"He went forth to chastise a babe, but, behold! it is a wondrous +infant," groaned some fellow. "Rise up, brave one, a chance this time +may help thee land that useless fist of thine." + +The leader writhed alike at the ignominy of defeat and at the irony of +his followers. Drawing a knife, as he gained his feet, he flew at +Mendoza, despite warning cries even from the ranks of his own men. + +The weapon drove straight out with murderous intent. A hush fell over +both officers and mutineers. + +It seemed an age before the blow came. + +It struck on empty air, for the youth, as before, had deftly stood +aside. As the other was driven past by his own momentum the boy seized +him by the waist and neckband, raised him from the deck, and whirling +him over his head, flung him headlong from the taffrail to the sea +below. + +A man-eating shark which had been following the ship swam toward its +prospective prey. Its back fins swirled through the water, as it came +dashing up. The poor wretch shrieked in agony. He tried to climb the +slippery wood of the ship's side. Time after time he struck deep into +the planks the knife which he still held, in vain endeavor to raise +himself out of the water by this leverage. + +"Help! help, friends, in the Virgin's name!" he entreated. + +The shark had nearly reached him and was already turning on its side in +preparation for its stroke of death. + +Helplessness seemed to possess all. + +A figure fell from the taffrail to the side of the desperate man. It +was none other than Lieutenant Mendoza. Balancing himself lightly in +the water, he wrenched the knife from his enemy's hand, and, as the +shark came up, he buried it to the handle in the monster's brain. Its +jaws snapped sullenly not the inches of a span away from the head of +the screaming bully. Floundering helplessly the creature rolled away. +Other man-eating sharks came to the scene. Some of them seized on +their helpless brother and tore at his flesh while he still lived. +Others swam straight for the human beings at the side of the ship. + +By this time the spectators had recovered power of action. A boat was +quickly lowered. Muskets and pistols in numbers were fired at the +onrushing school of sharks. + +Soon the rescued and rescuer were safe on board. There was talk among +the officers of court-martials and executions, with the outcome, that, +after much persuasion on the part of the young lieutenant, the +commander granted his request that the leader be pardoned pending his +good behavior. + +The troops were not again recalcitrant. + +From the swamps and the heat of the Philippines Captain Mendoza--for he +had been promoted--returned to Europe. Events which shook the world +were stirring there. As an eagle flies to the rescue of its eyrie so +hastened the descendant of the valiant Mendozas to the Spain of his +fathers, to do battle for its safety. + +The figure of Napoleon loomed ominously against Europe's peace. His +ambitious hand was reaching for the crown of Spain, as, indeed, for all +other crowns. + +Into the awful carnage plunged Mendoza. A hundred blows he struck at +the terrible Corsican, even though, often enough, the recoil threw him +and his command reeling backward in defeat. Nevertheless, did he right +nobly add honor and renown to the spotless banner of his house. + +Only when Napoleon was exiled to Elba did he leave the field. Then, in +command of his regiment, as colonel, he returned to Madrid. + +His elder brother, rich in titles and wealth, influential at the +Cortes, united his personal petition with the strong voice of the +colonel's service in the field, to obtain for the younger man place and +emolument. + +The vast region of Alta California was then coming into great and +favorable notice. Need there would surely be, in the Californias, of +men of mettle and of wisdom to hold that province and its riches secure +to Spanish rule. + +Accordingly, large parcels of land in the valley of Santa Clara, +fairest and most fertile in all that western Eden, California, were +conferred by letters-patent on the soldier, Mendoza. + +He loved a lady fair--Romalda. What man of his family had not? Every +knight of La Mancha had his Dulcinea, and Jesus Maria y José was true +to his descent, even to the very finger-tips. The old crusader +Mendozas, whose faces were carved in marble or painted on canvas in the +ancestral home in Castile, had not been more chivalrous and romantic +than was this now famous colonel. + +Beautiful daydreams he wove and told to the listening ears of the noble +lady. He had seen California, and knew well that part of it where his +estate lay. The fire of poetry touched his words, as he sketched for +her the estate mightier in length and breadth than any in Castile, +fairer than Elysian fields, more fertile than the Andalusian meadows. + +No landscape painter could limn mountains more picturesque and stately +than did the words of Don Jesus Maria y José describe the eastern +boundary of their domain in the land of far-away California. No +minstrel could tell, in song or verse, of lake or bay so fair, so blue, +as the inland sea which laved the western limit of their home-to-be. + +Lady Romalda hearkened, and she smiled approvingly as she gave him her +hand to kiss at parting. + +"Soon will I return and claim my bride. The days I spend in the +Californias, in preparation for your coming, will be as months and +years to me." + +She smiled kindly yet again, and waved a kiss at him as he rode forth +from her father's gate to prepare the home for her across the many seas. + +The soldier reached his California estate in due season, and with +industry set about his task of love. + +A hacienda house reached high its walls on an eminence near the +mountain side of the estate. Moorish in architecture, its towers +proudly surveyed the leagues of miles comprising the Mendoza grant. +Tree and plant and flower smiled around it in the genial warmth of +semitropic atmosphere. Avenues of olive lined its approaches. The +Mission grapevine draped many arbors which were arranged in +labyrinthine plan, all centering, after infinite curious turns, at the +front door of the mansion. + +Many ships brought furnishings from the world over for this wonderful +palace. + +The herds fattened for the killing, and were of great increase on this +domain, as needs be, for the expense of the hacienda house was in +keeping with its size and beauty. + +At last all was ready for the bride. But---- + +Mexico had declared for independence, and was making good this +declaration by force of arms. California would be compelled either to +stand with Mexico or to fall with mother Spain. Colonel Mendoza's +natural gifts included statecraft. He did not oppose the inevitable. +California became a province of the republic of Mexico. + +Now hastened the Colonel to claim his bride. In Madrid he found his +brother dead, leaving no direct heir. The soldier-cavalier claimed +title and estates, but the royal court rebuffed him. He was a +foreigner now. His acceptance of Mexican dominion had cost him his +Spanish citizenship. The laws of entail debarred him from succession. + +He urged the inevitableness of the separation of Mexico from Spain, +also his years of service in the Spanish army; likewise the claims of +his family to the good will of the kingdom. All was in vain. + +Hastening to the castle of his betrothed, he made known his presence, +and asked to see the Lady Romalda. + +Her father met him in his stead. + +"My daughter, the noble doña, desires to see you not, Sir Foreigner. +For my part I request that you depart from this place and never return." + +"Foreigner or not, I'll hear the rejection from the lady's own lips. I +demand to see the Lady Romalda, my affianced wife." + +After much parley the father brought his daughter to see the determined +man. + +Mendoza told her again of the home prepared for her near the shores of +the sunny Pacific, of the beauty and luxuriance well-nigh Oriental, of +the wealth of the land, of the promise of the future. + +"Peons, slaves, señorita, numbering hundreds, await your pleasure +there. A princess will you be, and I will be your lover-husband. Say +you will come with me." + +The Lady Romalda smiled coldly. "You may become a self-styled prince +among a barbarous and rebellious people. Be assured I shall never be a +princess of such dishonor." + +She swept in disdain from the room. + +Mendoza returned to Madrid. Calling on the commander-in-chief of the +Spanish army, he held before him the written letters of his colonelcy. + +"This paper means I am a colonel in the army of this kingdom. I am +such no more." He tore in halves the commission. + +"Are you a madman, Colonel Mendoza?" asked the general. + +"Behold!" + +Bending his sword over his knee he broke it into pieces and cast them +on the floor. "By this act I forswear Spain forever." + +The old general began to remonstrate with him, but Mendoza turned on +his heel and was gone. + +Great preparations were under way for the return to California of the +lord of the rancho Mendoza with his lady bride. The whole valley was +ready to make the occasion a gala time. + +Alone, and by night, he came. Calling his major-domos and head peons +together, he gave orders which were to be executed early on the morrow, +by his thousand vassals. + +They were frightened. "Our master is out of his head!" they exclaimed +in awe-struck tones. Hastening they told some of the Spanish neighbors +of the return of Señor Mendoza and of his startling commands. + +The Spanish confreres were soon at the castlelike hacienda house. + +"Señor, the Colonel Mendoza----" began one. + +"Señor Mendoza I am. Never again colonel." + +"But, señor, the peons tell us of your strange desires." + +"My desires shall be executed, strange or not. At daybreak to-morrow +not a stone stands on stone in this hacienda house. On these grounds +not tree or plant or shrub stands unuprooted before the darkness of +another day." + +"But, señor, has your visit to Spain affected----" + +"My visit to Spain has affected me greatly. Friends and neighbors, at +another time I, and all I have, shall be at your disposal. Permit me +now to bid you good-night." + +Very early next morning the hills echoed to the titanic roar of the +powder magazine under the hacienda house, which had been kept there for +uses of the hunt, and for defense and offense. Señor Mendoza's own +hand had lighted the train. Soon fire skirted toppling tower and +parapet, searched ruined reception halls, licked up furniture and +bric-à-brac, and charred rare valuables. Daylight saw not Moorish +castle, but blocks of blackened building stones and smoking rubbish. + +Countless peons, with spades, picks and axes, dug up the green and +growing things, broke down terraces, tore away grape arbors, and +everywhere did works of devastation. + +Señor Mendoza, as if commanding in battle, directed his workmen. Trees +and shrubs were piled high. Fire, made hotter by kegs of turpentine, +soon brought all to ash-heaps. Great pits were dug into which the +stones of the hacienda building were placed, also the ashes from the +bonfires. + +"Now," commanded Mendoza, "fill in these trenches." + +It was done. + +"Señors," he said at nightfall, when all was over, "thus I bury the +past. Henceforth, remember, I pray you, that I am Señor Mendoza, the +Californian, that, and that only." + +The rains of the following winter made the site of the once-beautiful +castle and grounds again a part of the rolling, grassy lands +overlooking the valley. + +Señor Mendoza devoted himself faithfully to the interests of his rancho +and the welfare of California. + +He built another home five miles from where the first had been, and +altogether out of sight of it; a house of California style, the +buildings forming three sides of a square, with a wall making the +fourth side of the courtyard within. + +In middle life the wish had come to found a family to succeed him in +his possessions. He married the daughter of a neighbor, a maiden of +Castilian blood, but of California birth. A child was born to them, a +daughter, and in that hour his wife died. Never was parent kinder or +gentler than Señor Mendoza to the Doña Carmelita, his pride and joy. + +The authorities in Mexico City thought it right to deprive the +Franciscan friars of a part of the lands they held in Alta California, +this act of the secularization of the missions causing comment of both +approval and disapproval. + +The leaders in the capital city chose Señor Mendoza to administer the +claims of church and state in the valley of Santa Clara. Thus he +became administrator of the Mission of San José, where the opening of +this story found him, a man of strength and of honesty, a statesman and +a courtly gentleman. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A STRANGER VISITS SEÑOR MENDOZA + +"Papacito mine, I'm all ready for the party this evening. My maids +have just finished with me. What do you think of me?" + +The Señorita Carmelita pirouetted into her father's sitting room, stood +on one foot, then on the other, finally turning completely around. + +"Papacito, what do you think of me?" she asked again. + +The father knit his brows in pretended deep consideration. + +"Hurry! Hurry, papacito! Really I can't wait any longer, I'm so +anxious to know." + +"My child, you make me think of a very pretty, very dainty wild flower." + +"Just a flower, papacito?" in mock disappointment. + +"Well, a flower with laughing eyes, splendid hair, and white plumage," +pointing to her dress. + +"That's better, little papa, somewhat better. Isn't it magnificent +that we're to have a valecito casero? In school in Mexico City we went +to bed regularly at eight o'clock. To-night it will be midnight, and +later. When I think of my present freedom and the old school days my +heart rejoices itself; yet I loved the school and everyone in it. +Often in dreams I am in those old rooms overlooking the Plaza Mercedes, +and I hear the splashing of the fountains and the singing of the birds." + +"My child's heart lives in scenes left behind months ago, yet the +spirit rejoices in present liberty. Well, it is the way of the world." + +Carmelita was sitting on the arm of her father's chair stroking his +face and hands, and occasionally giving gentle pulls to his long +mustache. Strangely alike were these two, the slender, dark-eyed girl, +and the stalwart, graying man, athletic-appearing even in his years. +The waving mane above his forehead was the prototype of the coal-black +hair of the señorita which billowed over her shoulders and fell below +her waist. + +His cheek was bronze, showing dashes of red; hers was creamy, with the +blush of youth surmounting; but it was the contour of face and form of +both, strongly chiseled, yet superbly fine, that bespoke a model +fashioned and perfected generations before in aristocratic Spain. + +"What a philosopher my father is!" Then, after a moment: "Yesterday +Señor Zelaya said to Señor Higuera, as they passed along the corridor, +'But the Administrator says that we must educate ourselves to a deeper +appreciation--' I did not catch the rest. Señor Higuera replied, 'And +the Administrator has a philosophy of deep and wide application.' Tell +me about it." + +"My daughter, I think you would prefer a more interesting story. My +philosophy, if you made it rightly, has been long in coming to me. On +the other hand, the estate of womanhood now present with you seems to +have grown overnight." + +Carmelita arose, curtsied to her father, then resumed her seat. + +"But my philosophy touches not any abstract principle. It deals only +with powers that move the human heart." + +"Vast political forces are astir in this old world of ours. The theory +that God appoints kings is rapidly dissipating. The sun of democracy, +long mantled by the fog of tyranny, shines soon in unobscured ray. In +the to-morrow of to-morrow shall the people rule, as their right +divine." + +The señorita smiled into her father's eyes. "Lolita Hernandez once +said to me, a long time ago, when she was petulant, that my father is a +rebel. I replied by calling her a minx." + +The old don made no reply; but continued: "'Westward the course of +empire takes its way.' An English poet sings this truly and well. To +the east of California is a republic destined to a colossal future, +because it is founded on the principle that all men are created equal, +and its national life rises toward a realization of that truth. To +that height must rise not alone the Saxon but the Latin as well. + +"The geography of nations in our Western world must soon change, under +the influence of the democratic idea. As certain as the sun rose this +morning and now urges to the setting, will either the American or the +English flag float from the staff within our courtyard before our +province has seen but a few more years of life." + +"But," hesitatingly from the girl, "will you not fight against this +aggression?" + +"No; nor could I stem the tide if I did. The logic of events grinds, +as do the mills of the gods, exceeding fine. In the great world battle +between people and potentate, victory, final and complete, will rest +one day with the people. The cost of that battle will be measured in +centuries of time, the blood of nations, the sacrifice of warriors and +statesmen. Runnymede, in the south of England, in the year 1215, saw +the beginning of the conflict when the people forced King John to sign +the Magna Charta!" + +"History speaks of the family de la Mendoza as made up of warriors. +Your own name, father mine, is mentioned, and not as the least, yet you +will never speak to me of any battle." + +He pointed to a small painting. It depicted Waterloo. + +"I'd give my experience of all the battles I've seen could I have stood +there that evening with Wellington, on Mount Saint Jean, when the sun +of day had set and Napoleon's sun of destiny with it. I would have +rejoiced to have chased the emperor of the French over the plowed field +at night, as does a hound drive the hare. Yet--what matters it all? +As well for Napoleon to rule, or misrule, as for any other tyrant, be +he anointed king or not. The day of the people comes, and I rejoice." + +"Shall we follow new ways and customs then, my father?" + +"Quite possibly. And yet, think you not it a pretty custom when the +Spaniard comes with his guitar and improvises sweet music outside the +embrasure window of the señorita? No?" + +The doña blushed rosy red. + +"What a papacito!" kissing him to cover her confusion. "How shall the +señorita inside the embrasure prevent the music-inclined caballero on +the outside from touching the strings of his guitar?" + +Mendoza laughed while looking fondly at his daughter. + +"You ask me how the doña may discourage the suitor? Ah, little one, +how can I tell you? The claws show sharp and repelling, or presto! all +is soft and smooth as velvet. What works the wonder, ask you? Ah, +Carmelita mia! Lolita Hernandez is not the only minx in the world." + +The girl playfully tugged at her father's thick hair. + +"What a father is mine! He has seen all things and has accomplished +all things," changing the subject. "Has ever there been an ungratified +wish in your life, except the one to chase the emperor of the French +across plowed fields? If so, now is your chance. I will be your fairy +godmother. Come, make your wish, and, behold! It is done." + +She had slipped from the chair and standing, held her arms extended +over him. "Make your wish now," laughingly. + +"My child, I have a wish, but its fulfillment would involve the folding +together of events that time has unfolded; indeed, the turning backward +of time." + +She dropped her hands in concern. "O, papacito, tell me your desire," +coming again to the arm of his chair. + +He did not reply. + +"O, little papa, you are so serious. Please tell me what it is." + +"I wish, little girl, that as a stripling I had come here and had built +my life into this Western world. That favor of kings I had never +known--I care nothing for their disfavor--but of my own self, coupled +with the resources with which nature has endowed California, I had +evolved the best that fortune would have sent me, were it hacienda +house and administratorship, or a humble hut with modest plot of +ground, such as has the least of my peons." + +A tap at the door. + +"Enter," from Mendoza. + +A peon stepped within. Thrice he bowed low to the master, then to the +doña. + +"Señor Mendoza, a stranger awaits you in the outer office." + +"Does he give his name?" + +"Here it is, señor." + +The peon porter handed Mendoza a piece of paper on which was written, +in bold, rough characters, "Charles O'Donnell." + +"O'Donnell--O'Donnell--Let him enter." + +The peon again bowed low to the master and his daughter. Backing +through the door, he bowed once more. Almost immediately the stranger, +O'Donnell, stood in the doorway. Señor Mendoza was on his feet +formally awaiting his visitor. + +The man's broad, strong shoulders touched from doorpost to doorpost, +his head barely coming within the door without his stooping. His +buckskin shirt, opening low at the front, showed the long, red beard +which was fastened together by a cord, and disappeared into the expanse +of his chest. + +His hair, darker than his beard, was long and bushy. This also was +caught by a string and was partially hidden under his shirt. + +Steely-blue eyes looked out over regular features. A sombrero was in +his hand. His buckskin trousers were protected from hip to knee by +shaggy leggings of bearskin. + +"Señor O'Donnell, will you enter and be seated?" + +"I thank you." The stranger moved toward a chair with dignified and +soldierly step. + +"Señor, the Administrator Mendoza, I am here to inquire if you know of +the present whereabouts of one Captain Farquharson, an Englishman who +left Mexico City some months ago to hunt big game in our high Sierras +here." + +"Señor O'Donnell, why do you ask of me the present abiding place of +this Englishman? I am Administrator of the Mission of San José. My +jurisdiction does not reach to the high Sierras, nor to the city of +Mexico." + +Mendoza's glance was careless as he thus replied to the questioner. + +"Ah, worthy señor, you are a well-known man in Alta California. Not +less, perhaps, is your name known in the Mexican capital. What wonder, +then, if some leisured traveler touching that capital should bear +written words thence to you here? So I rode to you on my errand of +inquiry. If you know nothing of the man, I shall ride still farther on +my quest." + +"Señor O'Donnell, famine is abroad, since the rains fall not. +Entertainment for yourself and feed for your horse are welcome to you +in my hacienda. Why not rest here for a while? Perhaps some of my +major-domos may have news of this captain, or some of the peons +recently returned from the headwaters of the river San Joaquin where +our cattle are now grazing. The Sierras lie but across from these +headwaters, and among our peons are hunters not a few. Rest among us, +my friend O'Donnell, and from some direction you may find the +information you are seeking." + +The man shook his head. "My horse has carried me a hundred miles +to-day, and yet he is ready to bear me farther. With such a mount I +can find food for myself and fodder for him, easily, when night falls. +Hear now his song? Drumlummon skirls a merry note." + +With a laugh the bearded man arose. The screaming neigh of a stallion +was echoing among the buildings of the hacienda. + +"My horse is ready for the road. I thank you for your hospitality just +the same. Adios, noble Administrator." + +"Wait, good Señor O'Donnell. A glass of wine makes readier the foot +for the stirrup." + +He touched a bell. A peon came, and disappeared on his errand. + +"Tell me, señor, while the wine is coming, do you know this Englishman +of whom you speak as Farquharson?" + +"Several years ago I saw Captain Farquharson considerably," tersely. + +"Ah, Señor O'Donnell, you too are a soldier, as your bearing shows. +You speak of your friend as Captain Farquharson. Perhaps you were +brother officers in English service. Is it so?" + +"No," hoarsely replied O'Donnell in English, "it was not so. I thought +I'd done for the fellow that day on the parade ground----" + +As he did not continue Señor Mendoza said: "Ah, my friend O'Donnell +speaks the English. I have studied your language and I read your +books," indicating a shelf on which were a number of works by English +historians and political economists. "Ah, here comes the wine." + +"Forgive my curiosity, Señor O'Donnell, in my recent questioning. I am +greatly interested in English officers. Just before you came I was +speaking with my daughter of the battle of Waterloo. You could not +have been present. You have not years enough," looking at the face, +yet young, of the man before him. + +"I was not in the army at that time," replied O'Donnell. "Allow me to +say, Señor Administrator, you serve nectar here," sipping his wine. + +"This Farquharson," persisted Mendoza, "who you say is older than you, +perhaps he took part in that famous battle." + +"I did not say Farquharson is older than I. I said I once knew him." + +A dark look shaded O'Donnell's face as he spoke. + +"Perhaps you were rivals in those times," still persisted Mendoza, +noticing the shadows. "Some wine in your glass, my friend? Well, war +and love have made many an enemy." + +Again the neigh of the stallion was heard. + +"Drumlummon's second call. I must be going. Perhaps Captain +Farquharson may call on you soon. Indeed, I'm sure he will; for I +remember now that he has letters of introduction to you from Don Juan +Domingo, first assistant to the secretary of state of Mexico." + +Señor Mendoza bowed courteously, as if some ordinary information had +been given him. + +A sound of approaching voices reached their ears. + +"Papacito, our guests are arriving. I shall leave you." Carmelita +approached from the rear of the room where she had been occupied with a +book. + +The squeaking of carretas (wooden wagons) was now plainly heard, also +the tramp of horses, the laughter of men, and the gay, bantering tones +of women. Anon arose the angry cry of O'Donnell's stallion. + +"The guests are truly coming. Carmelita, my child, see that the +servants neglect neither duty nor courtesy." + +To O'Donnell, who was standing ready to depart: "Señor, I'll attend you +myself as you go forth." + +Soon the dressing rooms were filled with young girls, laughing and +joyous. A dash of powder on the face, the hair smoother, laces +adjusted, all under the watchful eye of mother or dueña. + +The young dandies in their rooms were scarcely less fastidious than +their sweethearts and sisters. + +At a quarter before six the company was assembled in the reception +hall. Jokes and sallies went around the room. + +Carmelita noticed that her father was not present and sent a peon to +call him. The servant returned with the word that the señor and the +gringo stranger were in the outer office. He did not dare disturb them. + +Five minutes passed. Merriment grew louder. Some one saw on a +secretary a chart giving the places of the guests at table. The +merrymakers crowded around. + +The doña slipped away and no one noticed. + +Her father and O'Donnell were standing just outside the courtyard gate. +Two or three peons were holding O'Donnell's horse which was restive, +pawing and biting at them. The two men spoke English and thus freely, +as none of the peons understood that tongue. + +"Men are playing to-day and an empire makes the stake," O'Donnell said. +"Farquharson is sitting in the game, and, by faith! so am I." + +Mendoza nodded. + +"And, Administrator Mendoza, so are you--and the chief player! Did not +your recent visit to Mexico acquaint you with the trump card?" + +Mendoza smiled pleasantly. + +The stallion came closer to them, dragging the peons with him. He +seized the shirt of one of them and tore it from his back. + +"Quiet, Drumlummon!" Then to the servants, "Unloose him." The huge +animal came fawning to his side. + +Without touching hand to the horse O'Donnell vaulted the saddle. + +"A moment, O'Donnell." + +The man leaned in his saddle. + +"You say I'm sitting in the game and the stake is large. Well said, +perhaps. But remember, if I play I'll use the card that means the most +to the province of California." The señor again nodded, as if +retailing some pleasantry of the day. + +O'Donnell rode away. + +"Papacito!" called Carmelita. "It is late. We are waiting." + +In a moment they were with their guests. + +Folding doors opened and the well-lighted dining room was before them. + +At once dinner was under way. The peons, trained by Mendoza, served +well. The generous hospitality of early California found expression in +the viands and vintages which Mendoza offered his guests. Peons +touched fitting music from stringed instruments; others sang in the +melodious voice of the aborigine. + +"Señorita Mendoza, heard you not that the great spring merienda comes +early this year by reason of the drought?" asked Captain Morando. + +"Does a picnic so interest you, Comandante Morando?" + +"Never have I seen such a picnic as must be the spring merienda in the +valley of Calaveras. Everywhere I hear people speak of it." + +"Soon you may judge of its excellence for yourself. Now begins to sing +my peona, Modesta. Her voice equals in sweetness the notes of the +thrush. Listen, while she gives the ancient airs of Oroysom. They are +heart-touching and beautiful." + +The señorita's dueña engaged Moranda's attention the moment the singing +ceased, suddenly remembering to ask for some acquaintance in San José. + +"Señorita Doña Mendoza, say I have your first dance this evening?" +called Abelardo Peralto from across the table. + +"I, the second," cried Miguel Soto. + +"I, the third," from another. + +"Señorita Doña," asked Morando as soon as he was at liberty, "have you +a dance left for me?" + +"First come, first served, is the law in this province," she replied +mischievously. + +"Then I am to have no dance with you to-night," despairingly. + +"Did you ever hear the saying about the early bird and the worm, +Captain?" laughed Peralta. + +"I object to being compared to a worm," said Carmelita. "For your +punishment, Señor Don Abelardo Peralta, I deprive you of the grand +march, which belongs to the first dance, and I give it to the Señor +Captain." + +"Woe! Woe!" cried Peralta. "I will be the worm, Señorita Mendoza. +You are the beautiful early bird. O, do not punish me!" + +The girl looked at him with mock severity. "I have given my sentence." + +The host touched a bell. + +"Are we ready for the dancing?" he asked. + +The company cheered heartily. + +"I hear the musicians tuning their instruments. Let us hence. If we +cannot have the patter of rain during this season of drought, we can at +least have the patter of feet." + +Laughing and happy, the sons and daughters of the province repaired to +the dancing room. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ANOTHER STRANGER MAKES A VISIT + +"I hear the neigh of horses and the shouts of men. Has Dario, the head +vaquero, returned from the valley of the San Joaquin? Or, perchance, +is it some messenger from him?" + +"Reverend padre, you hear the work Indians returning with their farm +animals from the irrigated ground near the great spring. It is the +noon hour." + +The first speaker was the friar, Lusciano Osuna, spiritual head of the +Mission San José. He was temporal head also of the Mission grounds and +buildings, together with a wide strip of country reaching over rolling +land, hills and mountains, away east to the San Joaquin River. + +The padre was ill. His parched lips and flushed forehead showed him to +be in the grip of fever. Restlessly he tossed from side to side of his +bed. It was an unusual-appearing bed. Hewn redwood logs of goodly +dimension had been made in a frame held together by mortising at the +corners. Strips of rawhide ran across the frame from side to side, +another layer from end to end. A pallet of straw was the mattress; the +covering was lambskin tanned without removing the wool. + +"Open the window and the door, Juan Antonio. My blood boils away in +this heat, and my strength ebbs out." + +The hot north wind, which for days had been scorching the valley of +Santa Clara, rolled into the room. + +"It is little avail, dear father, to seek or avoid draughts when the +San Joaquin fever possesses one. Its nature is to burn till the body +seems a crisp, then to freeze till the flesh is like damp clay." + +"Juan Antonio, you are right. Still, it is a satisfaction to feel the +living air whether it touches one's ailment or not." + +The light from the open window shone on the friar's face. He was +nervously pulling his heavy black beard through his fingers. The +features thus brought into relief were those of the hidalgo, bold and +strong, and were illuminated by keen intelligence within. The skin +showed another strain darker than Caucasian. + +"Antonio, did all the Indians attend chapel this morning? Have you +heard of any further evidences of lapse into paganism anywhere in the +valley?" + +"Our Indians, men, women and children, are faithful in their +attendance, since the day you quenched the evil spirit in them. +To-morrow we conclude the Novena--nine days' prayer--for you. All are +praying most fervently that our Lady and Saint Francis, yes, and San +José, will favor us and you with speedy and complete recovery." + +"You are good, very good, my major-domo." + +"To-day at morning meal were some Indians from the San Blas just in at +Monterey. At once I dispatched thither the peon, Pedro Carrasca, the +best rider in the valley. Six hours' journey it is to Monterey, six +hours' rest, and six returning, makes eighteen. Pedro Carrasca rests +not if among the ship's goods is numbered Jesuit bark, but he presses +homeward with the medicine. For each hour less than twelve that he +consumes in rounding Monterey from here I have promised him five and +twenty pesos." + +"You have done well. My illness possesses me, Juan Antonio. Not that +I resist suffering. Did not my great master, Saint Francis of Assisi, +bear the sacred stigmata on side and hands and feet?" + +The Indian reverently made the sign of the cross. + +The padre went on: + +"Antonio, you speak of the Novena. How many days have we been back?" + +"Eight days." + +"It has seemed longer, much longer." + +"That was a hard ride for you from the river country, Señor Padre." + +"Yes, it was." + +"Swinging over mountain and scaling precipice, as did we, is doubly +difficult for one scarcely able to sit in the saddle." + +"And what found I here? Men, and women too, whom our fathers redeemed +from savagery, dancing in pagan worship around fires which, doubtless, +shortly would have become fires of sacrifice." + +"I know, holy padre; and I remember too that they followed us to the +church, consumed by that strange fury; yet you drove the blood demon +from their hearts, so that they killed not, nor destroyed, but obeyed +your commands; yes, even till now." + +The Indian again made the sign of the cross. + +"It is well to forget--well to forget," mused the friar. "The +children, after all, are good children." + +The padre was endeavoring to hold himself against some tremendous +inward tension. He clenched his hands and shut tight his teeth. +Nature could not sustain him and his teeth began to chatter, while his +hands wrapped the closer the lambskin coverlet about his form. + +The Indian major-domo closed the door. Hastening to the window he drew +the sash into place; then began chafing the padre's wrists and palms. + +"Courage, good padre, courage! A little time and the blood is warm +again, the strength revives. If only Pedro Carrasca were here with the +Jesuit bark! but he comes not before nightfall, I fear." + +The friar's eyes closed listlessly. His hands grew colder, despite the +vigorous treatment given by the Indian. His breath was short and weak. + +"Dios y Maria!" exclaimed Juan Antonio. He took the friar's robe +hanging from a peg on the wall, and carefully spread it over the +fainting man. + +"Comes now the chill and the heart weakens," muttered the faithful +major-domo. "That hurried ride from the San Joaquin, the worry over +the Mission, the drought----" + +Footsteps sounded in the corridor. Antonio called, then gave incisive +commands in the Indian tongue. The feet scurried away. He continued +the energetic rubbing, praying the while. + +Excited voices were heard approaching. The door was flung open, and +instantly the room was filled with Indians. A woman brought a kettle +of hot water; another, a stone vessel. A man brought a decanter of +aguardiente. Whispering, praying Indians ran up and down the corridor. + +As the women saw the padre's face, white and still, they thought life +had gone out. Grief filled their hearts, welled into their eyes and +found vent by their tongue. The loud wail of the death-bedside arose, +quavered, fell, in the old adobe house. + +Juan Antonio endeavored to silence them. + +"Quick, with the hot cloths for the feet, Luisa! Make ready the heated +brandy, you, Crispinilla! Quick, women, the padre's need is urgent!" + +A sigh came from the priest. Then all was still. He seemed to sink +lower into his couch. + +Even Juan Antonio thought that now life was gone. Instincts of +forgotten generations stirred the old man's heart. He began to intone +the death praises of the friar, as, for untold years, had his forbears +done for the great ones of their tribe. + +"The mighty heart is still. The strong hand bends not the bow. The +ready feet run not. The king elk walks boldly in the open. The timid +deer fears not the arrow, because the chief man of his people hunts no +more." + +The refrain of the death-wail overflowed the houses of the Mission, ran +along olive orchard and vineyard, reached the sentinels watching on the +hills. The church bell, in sorrowing tone, sounded its toll of death. +One and thirty did it strike, the total of the years the friar had +lived. + +At the last stroke the padre's eyelids flickered gently. The pallor of +his cheeks decreased. Breathing, almost imperceptible, began. +Finally, he opened his eyes, and saw the weeping, gesticulating men and +women. + +"Silence!" he said feebly. "What see I here?" + +Again, in stronger accent, "What see I here?" + +Yet again, "What see I here!" + +In this third utterance the churchman spoke as might a king in presence +of his subjects. The wailing ceased. + +He raised himself on elbow and pointed to the door. + +"This cell is within the precinct of sacred cloister. Go, women, one +and all! Get ye gone from this holy place!" + +The women fell away from the bed and seemed to melt through the door, +the men following them. Soon Juan Antonio stood alone with the padre. + +"What have you done?" demanded the friar, sternly. Perspiration again +was on his forehead, while the returning fever gave color to the face +and strength to the body. + +"O, Padre Lusciano, I feared you were dying. All my thoughts were for +nothing but to save you, and I called for help, come whence it might." + +"Juan Antonio, around this cell, though poor and humble, has Holy +Church drawn her solemn circle of isolation. Let no woman enter +herein, even to save my life. If I die, then so I must. Did I +pronounce the curse on the luckless daughter of Eve and her male +abettors in this sacrilege, no one, save the vicar of Christ in Rome, +could banish it. See, Juan Antonio, what vast evil thy thoughtless +hand might wreak." + +"O, padre," wept the Indian, "I thought thy life was struggling to free +itself of body, and my heart became water within me, for I love thee." + +"Very well. Very well. But, Juan Antonio, in the future think with +thy head, not with love or fear." + +Señor Mendoza appeared in the open door. + +"Reverend Padre Osuna, will you pardon my coming unannounced? Each day +since you returned have my servants made inquiry, but found you too ill +to receive a visitor." + +"Enter, Señor Mendoza. Please seat yourself." + +"Thank you, sir Padre. I had a small quantity of Jesuit bark, +invaluable in this fever-and-ague affliction. Unfortunately, I mislaid +the bark, not finding it till to-day, and I came but now to bring it in +person." + +"Very kind of you, señor." + +"I heard the death-wail of the Indians; heard, also, the toll of the +bell marking the passing of an officer of the church. Your Indians +first told me you were dead, then that you had risen from the dead. +So, I congratulate you, most happy that no need exists for condolences +to anyone. Padre Osuna, here is the bark." + +Juan Antonio took the bark and laid it on a table by the bed of the +friar. + +"Many thanks, señor, for your goodness. As head of this Mission of San +José I accept the gift from Señor Mendoza." + +Mendoza laughed pleasantly. "Then, reverend señor, as administrator of +this Mission of San José, I offer a little gift of Jesuit bark to the +spiritual leader of the vicinity." + +"Señor Mendoza, I can recognize no administrator of these mission +lands, save one, and that is I, Padre Lusciano Osuna. My Franciscan +brethren rescued this country from wilderness and its people from +savagery. This Mexican government of yours then comes, takes away two +thirds of the land and its appurtenances, and gives it to you and to +others who accept it and hold it. By government sanction you +administer, Señor Mendoza; but, I hold, unjustly. Never by word or act +shall I acknowledge your authority in this valley of Santa Clara." + +Señor Mendoza smiled. His equanimity was not easily upset. + +"Good reverend padre, hear me. Your fathers did, indeed, redeem this +country and its savage tribes. A mighty work surely has been done. +But, because of freeing the natives from paganism, should you hold this +vast province in fee simple? Is it right that a score of monks should +own the land from San Diego to Yerba Buena? The friars still possess +more land than they can either occupy or cultivate--but I ask your +pardon for talking thus long when you are ill. I trust the Jesuit bark +will not fail of its customary happy effect." + +"Your wish is generous, Señor Mendoza." + +"Just one short word more. I would like to thank you deeply, in the +name of my neighbors and myself, for your work in quieting the Indians +the day of your return from San Joaquin valley. I doubt not your +coming meant more than many of us realize." + +"I simply fulfilled the duties of my position. Nothing more." + +"Good-day, Padre Lusciano. I hope your good health will soon return." + +The Administrator departed. + +"Shut the door, Juan. I feel I may sleep. Go forth to your duties. +When I awake I will call you. Go, now, while sleep is heavy on my +eyelids." + +Juan Antonio went to the door. Hesitating a moment he turned, with: +"Reverend father, shall I not prepare a draught of the bark which Señor +Mendoza left for you?" + +"Go forth to your duties, man. I can accept no gift from Señor Mendoza +if the acceptance implies acknowledgment of his administratorship. I +will return him his Jesuit bark. The call of principle is higher than +the claim of bodily health." + +The major-domo closed the door. Sleep came to the friar. + +The Mission buildings were constructed in accordance with the +architecture in vogue in California at that time. Buildings formed +three sides of an inclosure, a courtyard gate and wall the fourth. On +one side were housed the unmarried Indian women. Across the deep +courtyard lived the single men. The third row of structures gave home +to the major-domo, the chief vaquero, or herdsman, and the families of +each. Under the same roof with these latter were the shops of the +carpenters, the blacksmiths, and the various other artisans of the +Mission. This side of the square opened into the freedom of the +courtyard. + +A man came to the carpenter shop and stepped within. "Is the padre +here?" he inquired. + +The master carpenter replied, "Our padre is ill." + +"I have most important letters which should be delivered to him in +person." + +"Go then, to the major-domo." + +The newcomer walked toward Juan Antonio. In his dress the man was the +ordinary traveler of the day. Tanned-skin shirt and trousers, shaggy +leggings and wide hat, distinguished him in no manner from a dozen +other wayfarers who, between dawn and night, might come on some quest +to the Mission. + +The deep-set, gleaming eyes of the old Indian surveyed him from foot to +crown. He saw a man in the prime of life, his face parched by tropical +sun to the color of leather. A military mustache was on his lip. + +"You wish to see me?" asked Juan Antonio. + +"I wish to see Padre Lusciano. I have letters introducing me to him." + +"The padre is firmly held by fever-and-ague. Little strength is left +to him. If you will, I'll carry your letters to him. I'm going to see +him now. You rest, while I'm gone, in the porter's lodge; or, if you +like, go over to Señor Mendoza's property across the way." + +"Thanks, many. I'll wait in the lodge. Here are the letters." + +The major-domo disappeared into the padre's quarters. Soon he was +again at the stranger's side. + +"Padre Lusciano says come." + +He followed the Indian through alcove and corridor to the friar's +bedroom. + +"Your name is Captain Farquharson, I learn. Juan Antonio, a chair for +this brother. Seat yourself, good sir. Now," to the Indian, "close +the door and stay not far away. I'll call you when I want you." + +They were a short time in earnest conversation. + +The stranger opened the door to leave. + +"Antonio," called the padre. The Indian came quickly. "Conduct my +visitor outside, then return." + +Major-domo and caller passed through the courtyard. + +"Amar Dios!" the Indian said at parting. + +"Many thanks for your attention," from the other. + +Juan Antonio returned to the friar's room. + +"Take these letters and lock them in my desk there. Bring me the key. +Good. Now, attend carefully to what I say." + +"Yes, Señor Padre." + +"Tell no one the name of the man whom you have just escorted out." + +"It shall be as you say, Reverend Padre." + +"It is well. The giant, ambition, stirs in his sleep. Soon he awakes +and moves to action." Then, in half aside: "Mexico has wrought the +undoing of our missions. If a chance of retrieval comes why should I +not--but Misericordia!" + +A great cheering was heard in the courtyard. + +"Go, see the cause, and come and tell me, Antonio." + +"Glorious news!" the Indian hastening back. "Pedro Carrasca returns +from Monterey two hours before the time, and has an abundance of Jesuit +bark in his saddlebags. More yet, good padre. A messenger from Dario. +He is the third messenger sent--Yoscolo and Stanislaus must have +captured the others. Dario has driven our herds far into the valley of +the San Joaquin River; and, the man says, soon will they fat for the +matanza" (the killing). + +"'Tis well, Juan. Bring me a portion of the bark, then I'll rest a +little. In the chapel to-night pray fervently for rain, and thank God +for his mercies; and ask him to avert war and bloodshed from our +province here, and from the whole world. Shut the door now. Carry my +blessing to the children when they are assembled for evening prayer." + +The door closed and the major-domo went about his many tasks. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE MERIENDA + +"Daughter mine, awake! 'Tis the day of the merienda." + +"I'm up, little papa." + +A rasp of file on flint was heard as she struck a light. + +"Ugh-oo-oo! the water's cold." + +The old don laughed. "Cold water drives the sands of sleep from the +eyelids, child." + +He walked along the corridor to his sitting room. The large time-piece +showed four o'clock and three minutes. Five minutes later his daughter +joined him, clad in tanned-skin blouse and skirt, with a straw sombrero +on her head. + +"Here I am, papacito. Is breakfast ready?" + +"Breakfast waits, but the coming of the morning waits not." + +The peons served them by candlelight. + +Soon they were ready for the start. + +Before the courtyard gate were the doña's carreta, the señor's horse, +and a squad of mounted fighting peons. Servants placed soft tule grass +in the carreta, lambwool comforters, for greater ease in riding. + +In double file marched the mounted peon soldiers, the carreta between, +while the lord of the hacienda rode by his daughter's side. Thus they +reached the plaza of the village near the Mission San José. + +The place was alive with carretas bearing mothers, dueñas, and +daughters, with caballeros, with bustling peons and early-risen Indian +children. + +Lanterns were strung around the square, in the middle of which blazed a +big bonfire. The caballeros capered their horses before the carretas. +The señoritas applauded by "Brava! Brava!" or shrieked at some +unusually daring equestrian feat. + +Captain Moranda was early at the plaza. Many a señorita turned her +glance from adventurous youth and cavorting horse to the soldier in +trig uniform, whose steed was frequently by the side of Doña +Carmelita's carreta. + +Preparations were now under way for the setting-out. Each carreta now +had four horses, tandem, a postilion mounting the wheel animal of each +team. + +"Sunlight on the peak!" intoned a peon stationed on a rooftop. + +Señor Mendoza, in charge of the affair, looked carefully over the +carretas arranged longitudinally, the caballeros around them, and the +fighting peons armed with carbine and saber. "Adelante!" he shouted +and galloped away at the head of the cavalcade. + +The carretas surged forward. At the end of an hour, half way up the +mountain, Mendoza gave a command to halt. + +The eastern sky was rosy. The morning star still shone undimmed though +all others had retired. The cañon facing the procession was hidden in +purple twilight, while the mountain peak blazed like some glory throne. +The joyful men and women became silent before the majesty. + +In the valley the light was chasing the shadows up the hills. These +shadows were flying to the picnickers as if for protection, when, lo! +the sun was on the eastern horizon. + +Mendoza signaled Captain Morando, who chanted the opening line of Saint +Francis of Assisi's "Canticle to the Sun." + +Tongue after tongue caught up the words. The Indians, who had been +taught singing and knew well the music of the church, united with the +others, and the swell of five hundred voices rolled over valley and +hill. + +"O, most high, Almighty, good Lord, to thee belong the praise, honor, +and all blessings: + +"Praised be our Lord, for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, +calms and all weather, by the which thou upholdest in life all +creatures. + +"Praised be my Lord for our sister water, who is very serviceable unto +us, and humble, and precious, and clean. + +"Praised be my Lord for our brother fire, through whom thou givest us +light in the darkness; and he is bright, and pleasant, and very mighty +and strong. + +"Praised be my Lord for our mother the earth, the which doth sustain us +and keep us, and bringeth forth divers fruits and flowers of many +colors, and grass." + +"Adelante!" again called Mendoza, and once more they were off. The +odor of pine reached them at one height; at another the resinous +redwood, in mammoth groves, pointed skyward. The señoritas and +caballeros talked, laughed, sang, and perhaps mildly flirted. + +At ten o'clock they reached the entrance to the cañon which marked the +beginning of Calaveras Valley. Vast tangles of blackberry bushes were +everywhere, creeping up the cañon side, festooning projecting rocks, +climbing trees, ivylike, and dropping their branches dark with ripening +fruit. Tinkling rills ran along, unaffected by the drought. Colonies +of birds floated in the air, sang in the trees, or, fluttering around +the vines, ate their fill. + +From time immemorial these grounds had been carefully guarded from +everyone till the merienda day at close of spring, on which occasion +the first fruits were gathered by the land barons and their select +company, with feasting, dancing, and merrymaking. + +After that day all embargo was removed, and the products of the valley +were free to all. + +According to custom the señorita whose carriage first reached the +merienda ground was queen of the day, and an early-California chariot +race occurred yearly here. + +Down the inclined way the carretas went, toward the bottom of the +valley where the choicest berries grew. + +Mendoza wheeled his horse and gave the command to stop. "We rest a few +minutes. Then, let the carretas which compete in the race range +themselves as will be directed, and start at the word." + +Pedro Zelaya and Fulgencio Higuera were appointed judges. + +Carreta after carreta drew forward. Soon a score or more were side by +side, to enter the contest. + +The judges were busy moving one team forward, another back. When all +were at equal advantage the stalwart Higuera called: + +"Make ready! Run!" + +Away they went, the caballeros fringing the sides, the other carretas +trailing in the rear. Weeks of patient labor of the peons had made the +course even and smooth. + +"Now! Now!" cried Hernandez. "I'll show Mendoza my Mexican imported +horseflesh is superior to his Californians. Boy," to the postilion, +"taut with the reins, and ready with the whip!" + +"Hoop-la! Hoop-la!" the drivers shouted to their straining teams, the +long whiplashes curling from their hands and touching the splendid +animals in stinging crack, while the caballeros admonished or +encouraged. + +"The spur on the wheeler, Miguel! The lash on that leader!" or, +"Grande! Grande! Martino. Another such spurt and you win!" + +Lolita Hernandez, Alfreda Castro and Carmelita Mendoza were ahead. For +a minute the three carretas ran neck and neck. + +Marcel Hernandez, father of Lolita, rode by her team. In the +enthusiasm of the moment he urged the horses with his riding-whip and +joined with the postilions in shouting, "Hoop-la! Hoop-la!" + +Patricio Martinez, Alfreda's long-time cavalier, hovered near her, +shouting: "Now's your chance, Diego! Stir up that pinto! Ease the bit +on that sorrel! Go it, my beauties!" + +The Doña Carmelita's peon had a cool head, driving so as to draw from +the other racers their best speed. Little by little he lessened the +swiftness of his own horses, allowing the others to forge ahead. + +The Hernandez Mexicans and the Castro Andalusians held their own, side +by side, as if in double harness. For more than a hundred paces it +seemed neither one gained nor lost a hairbreadth. Suddenly the Castro +animals winded. High-stepping and proud, they gradually lost. +Magnificent in their defeat they fell back. + +"Huzza! Huzza!" yelled Hernandez. "I knew I breed the best stock in +the valley. My daughter shall be queen of the fiesta." + +Then Carmelita's peon gave rein to his horses. They sprang from the +ground and rushed onward. For an instant the two carretas ran +together, each splendid horse, straight-backed, ears low, nostrils +distended, striking his feet in unison with his fellows. Soon the +Hernandez team began to slip backward foot by foot. + +"Diablo! Diablo!" thundered Hernandez. "Peon, urge your horses! Use +the whip!" + +The Hernandez Indian dug his spurs into his mount, and cruelly flayed +the leaders. + +The other carreta yet more quickly moved ahead. Already the Mendoza +wheeler was abreast the Hernandez leader. + +Above the roar of the vehicles sounded the plaudits of the caballeros. + +"Viva! Viva, Mendoza! Viva the California horses! Viva the Señorita +Mendoza!" + +A stone the size of a walnut caught in the hind shoe of Mendoza's +wheeler. The steady pace of his horses broke. + +The Hernandez animals pressed on. + +"Swing out, boy, swing out! Sweep in from the side!" exulted +Hernandez. "Victory for the Mexican horses!" + +The driver turned his team. "Bueno, boy, bueno! Now straight ahead! +Loose the rein! Let 'em go!" + +The Mendoza postilion bent affectionately over his horse. "Fly, +Mercurio! Fly! for the doña's sake!" + +He unstrung his whiplash. It burned the leaders with living fire. +They leaped forward, the tremendous stride flinging the pebbles from +the wheeler's hoof. + +Along the roadway the horses sped, lessening the Hernandez advantage at +every bound. After them poured the yelling, gesticulating crowd. + +A hundred paces only remained. + +The shouting ceased, the tenseness of the moment closing every throat. + +The Mendoza carreta overtook the other, passed it, and reached the goal +two lengths ahead. Carmelita was the queen of the day! + +With a flourish the Doña Carmelita's postilion drew up before the +pavilion at the merienda ground, Mendoza and Captain Morando assisting +the breathless, excited girl to alight. + +Caballero and carreta whirled into the open space around her. + +"Hail! Hail, to the queen of the merienda!" arose on all sides. She +bowed right and left in acknowledgment. + +On one side of the building stood a dais whence the queen ruled her +loyal subjects. + +"Come, little one," her father said. "Your ladies of honor will +accompany you to your throne." + +Lolita and Alfreda walked with her to the dais, then curtsied in +deference. + +"Your wishes, queen of the merienda?" they asked. + +"For one hour let matron, maid, and man gather blackberries for the +feast. Then all shall come to luncheon in the pavilion, not forgetting +to bring the fruits of their labor. For the afternoon my command is +that all enjoy themselves to the full." + +Thus briefly spoke the ruler of the day; after which she took her +willow basket and hastened to gather berries, as did her maids of honor +and everyone else. + +The appointed time saw all assembled near the feast tables which had +been made ready by the peons. Heaping dishes of berries were +conspicuous among a variety and abundance of viands. + +Colonel Barcelo, commander of the presidio at Monterey, with his wife +and her younger sister, the Señora Valentino, rode up on horseback. + +The Colonel and his wife were well known to the picnickers. His +sister-in-law had but lately arrived from Madrid. + +The newcomers were accorded a gracious reception. + +"Happened to be visiting near San José. Hearing of the merienda, we +came along without an invitation," said Barcelo, laughing. "Besides, I +wished Señora Valentino to witness one of our festal days. It is +unique. Madrid itself holds nothing to equal it." + +The brown eyes of the lady from Madrid flashed in accompaniment to her +pearly teeth. "Rare things have I seen in California in the fortnight +I am here." + +"In a moment luncheon is served. My worthy Barcelo, I invite you and +your party to our table. My daughter and a few others sit with us. +Come, friends," spoke Señor Mendoza, true to the unbounded hospitality +of the California grandee. + +A peon sounded a gong. The hungry merienda folk lost little time in +coming to the meal. + +Señor Mendoza was at the head of his table, Doña Carmelita at the foot. +At the host's right and left were seated Colonel Barcelo and his wife; +Señora Valentino, by his sister. The ladies of honor, with Hernandez, +who sat by his daughter, filled the other places, except one. This had +been reserved for Morando, who now came up. + +"An accident to one of the horsemen detained me for the past half +hour," was his explanation to Señor Mendoza. + +"A caballero's misfortune always calls for assistance from a brother," +replied Mendoza. Continuing: "Captain Morando, I wish to introduce you +to Señora Valentino, who favors us to-day by her presence with her +relatives, the Barcelos. Señora Valentino, may I present Captain +Moranda?" + +The señora acknowledged pleasantly the Captain's low bow. + +"Captain, to your chair," from Mendoza. + +Conversation lulled for a little. Early hours and open air had given +zest to the appetite. + +"My dear Señora Valentino, I wish you could have seen our carreta race +this morning," remarked Señor Mendoza. "But it will not be the last." + +"While I say nothing against the race of this morning as such," +interposed Hernandez, "for it was good enough as far as it went, I do +claim that my horses were better than yours, Mendoza. Your peon rider +happened to be more at home in his business than was mine, nothing +more. I wish I had been in that postilion's place myself; then there +would have been a different story to tell." + +"A horse can display but the swiftness his limbs possess," rebutted +Mendoza. + +"Riding is not what I knew in my youth," commented Hernandez, who was +giving ample appreciation to the pleasures of the table. + +"Captain Morando, were you not at a ball given in Madrid last year by +the officers of General Guerrero's division in their quarters?" said +Señora Valentino. + +"I was, indeed. And now, señora, I remember you well. Strange I did +not recall you at first." + +"The fact that I was in ball-dress then and in riding-habit now is, +undoubtedly, what prevented you from recognizing me before." + +"Why, we have old friends here!" interjected Colonel Barcelo. + +"How is Colonel Valentino, your husband?" + +"Shortly after that ball of which we speak my husband was ordered to +service in Morocco, and there he laid down his life for his country." + +"I regret that my question called up sad memories. Nearly a year have +I been away from Madrid, and news travels slowly to us here. I offer +to you my sympathy in your great loss." + +"You are very kind, Lieutenant--I should say, 'Captain' Morando. +But--what is past is gone. It is well, then, to forget. A wonderful +life these Californians live!" + +"I trust Colonel Barcelo and his lady will find opportunity while in +this vicinity to bring you, señora, to visit us at our home in Mission +San José. What says my daughter?" + +The Doña Carmelita cordially seconded her father's invitation. The +Barcelos accepted; the Señora Valentino likewise. + +"Mission San José--Mission San José--" mused the latter. "Is there not +living there a Franciscan friar, one Lusciano Osuna?" + +"It is so," assented Mendoza. + +"I heard he was in California, and as you mentioned the Mission San +José it came to me that was given as his present home." + +"A man of some importance, probably, in Spain," volunteered Señor +Hernandez. + +"I do not know him personally," replied Señora Valentino. "In the +cathedral of Barcelona I heard him give the Lenten sermons several +years ago. It was quite shortly after his ordination, but his +discourses possessed rare charm and power. The city was literally at +his feet." + +"Strange such a man comes here as a mission padre?" observed Hernandez. + +"It was his request. Some unknown powerful influence seconded him, +else Spain would not have lost her great preacher." + +At that moment the strains of the grand march floated through the +pavilion, from the excellent orchestra provided for the dancing. + +Captain Morando was quickly at Doña Carmelita's side. "Señorita the +Doña Mendoza, may I claim your favor for the grand march and the waltz +following?" + +It was granted. + +Carmelita and Morando were at once circling in the waltz. + +"I still have the rose which fell to me from the sky one moonlit night +a month ago." + +"Does it keep so long?" mischievously. + +"It is pressed in a book of poems. Each couplet of book-leaves holds a +petal. The odor of the petals speaks to me the same thought which is +the subject of these poems. Shall I tell you what it is, Señorita +Doña?" + +"Hush! the music ceases. Lead me to a resting place." + +There was to be no resting for Señorita Mendoza. Importunate youths +claimed dance after dance. + +The elders, men and women, were scattered around in groups, some +looking at the dancing, others conversing, a few playing cards. + +Señor Valentino, owing to her recent bereavement, did not dance. She +seated herself on a rustic bench beneath a widespread sycamore, where +she was soon the center of an interested coterie. The lady so recently +from Madrid retailed to Spanish-born gentry the news of the distant +imperial city. + +After a while Captain Morando came up. Soon the two were in animated +conversation. + +"Ah! Captain, not on the floor! Foot-weary so soon?" spoke a dueña +who now joined them. + +"No, señora, not foot-weary. I forego for a time the pleasures of the +dance that I may listen to the words of our beautiful visitor here." + +He made a low bow to Señora Valentino, who laughingly extended her hand +to him. He bent sweepingly over it, barely touching the ends of her +fingers with his. + +"The Señor Captain Morando!" a man's voice called at his elbow. It was +Abelardo Peralta. The music and dancing had stopped. The guests were +assembling around the dais on which was seated Doña Carmelita. + +"Our queen demands your presence, Señor Captain," Peralta went on. + +The Captain was shortly before her majesty the queen of the fiesta. + +"The games are about to begin, Captain Morando. Do you not remember +that I appointed you and Don Abelardo to define the boundaries of the +racing course, and to determine the various goals? Also please to +remind the Señora Valentino that she is requested to crown the victors." + +As the afternoon waned the interest in the athletic events increased. +The footraces for young men showed that the sons of the province were +nimble of limb, and won the approbation of Pedro Zelaya himself, whose +swiftness was credited with being only less than a fast-galloping horse. + +The señoritas ran a shorter course very creditably. + +Then came a contest of knife-throwing in which the men of the period +were wonderfully proficient. The knife was flung, blade extended, from +the palm of the hand with such force that the point of the weapon would +sink several inches into a wooden target placed twenty, thirty, or +more, paces away. + +"Hoop-la! Hoop-la!" came through a cloud of dust. A number of +vaqueros had driven a wild steer from the mountains to the race course. +The picnickers looked at the animal from their safe position on the +platform. Again and again the creature charged at the vaqueros, who +deftly swung their horses out of harm's way. + +"Send him here!" some young fellow called to one of the herdsmen. + +"No, no," another cried, "send him over this way to me." + +The animal pawed the earth, bellowed, and rushed around the race course +in fury. + +Don Pedro Zelaya climbed out on a projecting tree-branch and dropped on +the animal's back, in the midst of one of its mad careenings. It stood +stock still for a moment in bewilderment. Zelaya's sharp spurs soon +stirred it into action. It ran, leaped, even bucked like a broncho, in +trying to rid its back of the burden, but in vain. + +"Brava! Brava! Señor Zelaya. Soon will you have another gentle pony." + +"Let him chase thee around the race course," yelled a youth. "One +hundred pesos to fifty he catches thee!" + +Zelaya found time to wave his acknowledgment of the persiflage. + +The steer suddenly tried rolling over and over to free itself. The man +sprang to the ground each time it dashed itself down; then, with the +litheness of a cat, leaped to its back as it arose. + +The animal finally gave up all efforts to throw the rider, and ran at +full speed around the racing track, amidst the loud plaudits of the +assembly. + +Señor Zelaya drew himself back into the branches of the tree, after a +little, and his mount escaped to the forest. + +The men exhibited all manner of fancy riding. Some rode at the flank +of a horse at gallop, or under the belly, or astride the neck. Others +leaned from their saddles in flying sweep and picked up coins from the +ground; or drew from the sand chickens buried to the head, yet so +gentle the rider's hand that the fowl was not in the least injured. + +The shadows come early in the deep cañons. The queen sent her +messengers to call the people around her throne while the winners +received their prizes. Abelardo Peralta announced, in her name, that +after the distribution luncheon would again be served in the pavilion. + +"Our queen makes Don Abelardo her chief courtier," remarked Lolita +Hernandez in the hearing of a number. + +"They have been friends since childhood, Señorita Lolita," returned +this young lady's dueña. + +Lolita laughed mirthlessly. "I fancy the captain from Madrid has +offended. Perhaps her majesty saw him kissing Señora Valentino's hand +this afternoon." + +"Fie! Fie!" from another dueña. "He touched only the tip of that +lady's fingers with his own. I saw it myself." + +"Diffident soldier!" from a grave señor. "In my youth I would not have +been content with so slight a token." + +"Manuel! Manuel!" from his wife. + +"Señora Moraga, thy husband thinks on his courtship of thee," spoke yet +another dueña, laughing. + +"I'm sure it looked as if the Captain kissed the stranger lady's hand," +Lolita reiterated. "I'm sure too Carmelita saw it, for we were dancing +in the same set when it happened." + +"'Twas but a lady's favor and a man's privilege, little one," said +Moraga. + +"Manuel! Manuel!" again from his wife. "And before such a child as +Lolita!" + +"I know Carmelita favored Captain Morando above Don Abelardo the day of +the dinner at her father's house. I saw it, and so did all the girls. +I know she changed toward him to-day after what I--saw. I know she +did." + +Señora Valentino approached the group. + +At almost the same moment Morando came up from the opposite direction, +having been at the race course collecting from the judges their +decisions as to the victors. + +"Ah! Captain mine, bearest thou a word for beauty as well as for +prowess in athletics?" questioned Moraga. + +"The queen has appointed no judge of beauty. Even the wisest would +find bewilderment here where all are so fair," replied the gallant +Morando. + +"Our Captain is a diplomat," smiled the señora. She bowed to the +gentleman in question; he yet lower to her. + +A messenger advanced, saying with much ceremony: "Señora Valentino, the +queen requests you to crown the winners from the dais. Captain +Morando, you are commanded before the throne there to read your +reports." + +The señora curtsied. "My sovereign's will is mine." + +The soldier saluted, but before he could make speech Mendoza's hand was +on his shoulder. "Pardon me, friends, I have a word with the Captain." + +"Morando," said the old don when they were apart, "you may not know the +keen instincts of our wild animals for change in weather. Bear and +mountain lion are hurrying through the forest here back to the high +mountains. During the drought they have been under foot, tame as dogs. +My fighting peons brought me word of this sudden activity of the +animals, and just now I observed it for myself. It means the quick +coming of a storm." + +"Maldito! is it sure? Leagues from home are we and scores of women +folk with us." + +"To make doubly sure I rode my horse to the summit of a high bluff. +The clouds are rolling hitherward in masses black and angry." + +"What, think you, we would better do?" + +"I'll order the peons to bring out the carretas and saddle the horses. +'Twill be a few minutes only. Then I'll call for silence and ask all +to take conveyance or mount, speaking of imminent storm in such way as +not to give unnecessary alarm. For myself, I'll lead my fighting +peons; let come next the carretas; then marshal you the caballeros." + +As said so was it done. + +Soon all was in readiness, and the procession was tearing over the road +by which it had come early in the day. Doña Carmelita had given her +carreta to Señora Valentino, while she rode with her dueña. Provision +was also made for Señora Barcelo, Mendoza declaring it unsafe for a +woman to ride horseback under the circumstances. + +As they sped along darkness overtook them. Intermittent lightning +darted forked tongues across the sky, while thunder pealed and +reverberated. The pent-up rain of months poured on the returning +picnickers. In the dry creek-beds streams arose even while they were +crossing. + +The dueña's carreta was somewhat slower than the others and thus was +last in the line. Morando rode by Carmelita's side. + +Suddenly the heavens seemed to split. Torrents of water roared on the +hillside, inundated the roadway, and poured over carretas and horsemen. + +There had been a cloud-burst. + +A heavy boulder whirling in the flood was flung against Morando's +horse. As it fell caballeros close by grasped bridle-rein and +stirrup-strap and drew the animal to its feet. Panic-stricken it +dashed wildly forward. + +The lightning ceased. The dense blackness but increased the confusion. + +The carretas floundered in the water. Finally, all save one fought +their way to higher ground. A projecting tree-limb had struck the +dueña's postilion. His horse slipped beneath him and turned with the +turbulent current. Man, horses, carreta, and occupants were washed +down the declivity. + +The caballeros, unknowing, struggled on. + +The dueña's horses soon found footing on the hillside, and taking the +bits in their teeth ran headlong down grade into the deep cañon. + +When Carmelita recovered consciousness she was lying in a cave, on some +bear skins, near a glowing fire of logs. She could hear horses +stamping and eating. Her dueña, still unconscious, was on another pile +of skins. + +A man came from the darkness and stood by her. He was dressed in +tanned-skin shirt and trousers, and in his hand he held a sombrero. +The mustached face was burned brown in the sun. + +He noticed that Carmelita had opened her eyes. "Neither of you is +seriously injured. I am physician enough to determine that. Rest here +quietly till morning, and doubtless your friends will come. I'll have +some one prepare you a hot drink now." This he spoke in Spanish. Then +in English, as he turned away: "Queerest product of a spring freshet I +ever saw!" + +He chuckled at his own conceit. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A NIGHT SPENT IN A CAVE + +"The drink is ready. Will I bring it to the ladies now, Cap'?" + +These words awakened Doña Carmelita from a sound sleep into which she +had fallen despite the discomfiture of rain-soaked clothes. The fire +was burning brightly, and she found herself nearer the blaze whither +some one, without awakening her, had drawn the pile of skins on which +she was lying. The warmth had nearly dried her clothing. + +The dueña had recovered from her swooning, and was partially sitting up +endeavoring to collect her senses. + +"The drink is ready, Cap'. Will you ask the ladies if they want it? I +don't know a word of their lingo." + +The man touched his hat in military style. The one denominated "Cap'" +came up, he who had spoken to Carmelita a little previously. + +"My man here has prepared some strong black coffee for you. An +allowance of the native spirit you call 'aguardiente' has been added. +I advise you both to drink freely of the mixture. Blankets will be +provided you, and you will sleep here safe and warm till morning. Will +you have the beverage now? I trust you feel not greatly any effect of +the unusual experience which must have been yours." + +"O!" moaned the dueña, now coming somewhat more to herself. "What a +terrible happening! I expected each instant to be killed. O! where am +I?" + +The man laughed. "I cannot discuss what occurred to you before we +found you outside this cave. Neither can I tell you where you are, for +I know only in a vague way the location of the place. Let it suffice +that you are safe here. Now, warm yourself with this drink and seek to +sleep. The morning brings, doubtless, searchers for you." + +The man who seemed the leader had been speaking in Spanish. A trace of +foreign accent was in each word, though he spoke the language fluently +and correctly. + +The other man broke in with: + +"Coffee's cooling fast, Cap'. If they don't take it now, I'll have to +heat it up again all over. Kiyi that to 'em in their own lingo. Wish +I knew how to." + +He had been standing holding in one hand a steaming saucepan, in the +other an improvised wooden tray on which were two metal goblets. + +The Señorita Carmelita struggled with some difficulty to a sitting +position. + +"We thank you for your thoughtfulness," she said. + +"The young lady says she won't have the mess--is that it, Cap'?" asked +the man holding the saucepan and goblets. + +Carmelita was about to reply in English, but the leader said, quickly: +"Give them your preparation there, Brown. Don't be slow. They should +have had it drunk by this time." + +Brown complied with the order. + +The woman and the girl sipped the steaming liquid. + +"Now I remember," said the dueña. "We left the road just after that +awful thunder clap. The water washed us down and down. Then my horses +ran and ran, downhill, over rocks and gullies--O it was awful!" +covering her face with her hands. "Then came the crash; and I really +knew no more until this moment. Thank you, sirs, for this," sipping +the black coffee. "It shall be no loss, and I will see you have ample +reward. Besides, this señorita here----" + +"Is the old lady saying she wants another swig?" interrupted the man +holding the saucepan. "Because if she's still thirsty, there's more of +this coffee and aggydenty right here," shaking the contents of the +vessel, "and if this ain't plenty I can manyfactur more." + +"Hush, Brown!" spoke the other. "If you have anything more to do I'll +tell you." + +"Just as you say," agreed the other, unperturbed. + +"The crash you tell of brought my man here and myself out to where the +accident met you. Your vehicle had struck a huge rock which forms one +side of this cave. Needless to say the carriage was in kindling wood. +You," to the dueña, "and the young lady had been thrown entirely free +from the melee into a thick bed of dried leaves--or leaves that had +been dry before the rain," this with a smile. "Your horses were +floundering in the mud." + +"O, my brave, beautiful horses!" exclaimed the dueña. "Where are they? +O, where are they?" + +"Safe here with my own horses and quietly eating fodder as if nothing +had occurred. Your Indian driver came off with a broken shoulder. He +sleeps now farther along in the cave. I fancy the plentiful supply of +aguardiente my man Brown gave him aided in producing his slumbers. +However, I knew no other way to ease him." + +"Ah, that Luis!" said the dueña. "I'll have him whipped when he +recovers for thus endangering us both with his careless driving. My +regular driver is away in the eastern grass ranges." + +"Anything more I can do?" asked Brown. "I hear my name spoke of." + +"Nothing more. I was telling the ladies you aided their injured +servant to sleep by a free supply of spirits. You may go now." + +"Just as you say, Cap'. Said nigger servant of the lady is a regler +canal when it comes to aggydenty," commented Brown as he betook himself +and saucepan away. + +Carmelita and the dueña finished drinking the contents of the goblets. +The man Brown soon came back with two pairs of woolen blankets. + +"These blankets are finest English wool. Wrap up in 'em and you'll +find yourselves warm and dry by morning. Tell 'em, Cap', in their own +talk." + +"Brown, you may retire now to the inner cave and sleep." + +"Just as you say, Cap'." + +"I trust you will be as comfortable as the situation permits. Allow me +to wish you pleasant dreams and the hope that to-morrow will find you +both none the worse for this mishap. Good-night." The Captain bowed. + +Soon the Captain was gone and the dueña and the girl were closely +wrapped in the warm blankets. The fire still burned high and diffused +a grateful heat. A feeling of repose crept over both the women. The +storm howled and raged outside, but in their wearied state it was +scarce less than a lullaby to them. Numbness came to their senses. +They slept in the wild cave, safe from deluge and accident. + +How long the Doña Carmelita had been sleeping she knew not. She opened +her eyes. The fire had burned low. The light of the embers was +struggling with the darkness. Rain and wind still held high revel on +the outside. The water swished and the tempest boomed at the entrance +of the cave. + +Again she was sinking to slumber. + +Suddenly she roused. Footsteps were near--unusual footsteps, soft as +air. The fire was lower; the embers cooling; darkness lay more +completely over all. Nearer the sound came. Every nerve was tense. +The fire gave a feeble flicker. By the wall of the cave two figures +stood not half a dozen paces from her. They disappeared suddenly. She +breathed more freely. Another flicker from the fire and she saw that +they were crouched low by the ground and apparently in conversation. A +draft hurtled through the cavern and gave life to the dying coals. The +two figures cast themselves flat on the ground. The embers died down. +Carmelita waited in trepidation. + +Another rift of light in answer to a current of air. One of the +prostrate figures was slowly moving toward her, as a fish floats +through water without apparent movement or propulsion. Never it +hastened, yet never it ceased to come, always nearer, without effort, +without pausing. + +She shut her teeth and clenched her hands. There was a wild desire to +scream, to call for help, to fly out into the open. She did none of +these things. The courage of her warrior forbears stood her in stead. + +All at once the body ceased its forward motion. Then it moved +backward, noiselessly, slowly. It seemed an age until it reached the +other figure by the wall. The overflow of the hurricane which now came +sweeping through the place invigorated the fire so that it showed the +two figures standing flush against the wall and again in earnest +consultation. She could tell that they were Indians, not by their +dress, for that was indistinct, but by their postures and gestures. +Suddenly they were prone on the ground and going, again noiselessly, +toward the inner cave. + +The wind ceased. The fire decreased to half a dozen separate sparks. +Darkness hid the Indians from her eyes. She reached out her hand to +waken the dueña, but desisted. + +"Why frighten her? Doubtless they are ordinary peons seeking shelter +from the storm." + +After a while, through very exhaustion, she slept. + +Her eyes opened wide almost with a snap and she sat bolt upright. A +portion of the fire had been replenished and was flaming up. A low cry +forced itself from her lips before she recognized the one by the fire +to be Brown. "What is it?" asked the girl. + +The dueña awakened from heavy sleep. + +"The horses--my horses," she cried, her wits still half slumbering. +"The señor said they are safe. What a terrible thing--is the man still +standing there? I trust his master will have the impertinent fellow +whipped." + +Brown felt that some unusual explanation was due from him, though he +did not understand a word. Bending over, he placed his hands on his +hips and spoke in a mincing way, as if to children. + +"Lady, people don't need be 'fraid of Injuns. My employer's all +right--good man. Injuns say much, then I fight 'em. Cap'n fight +'em--fight 'em like the devil." + +He balled his right hand and doubled the arm, then patted the corded +muscles approvingly with the fingers of his left. Finally he shook his +fist in the direction of the inner cave while his face assumed a +mock-ferocious expression. + +"I suppose he is threatening his kind master. I'll have my peons beat +him soundly in the morning, if the master wishes. Fellow, begone! or +I'll call the one who owns you." + +"Mamita, you mistake. The man is saying not to fear the Indians; that +he and his Captain will protect us." + +"Fear the Indians! Well, I should say not! Besides, there are no +Indians here to fear, except that wretched Luis who drove my horses, +and he has a broken shoulder, the scoundrel! If you understand this +creature, child, tell him to be about his business before his master +learns of his annoying us." + +"Old lady's scared, hey? Scared out of her wits. Well, I reckon----" + +"She is not frightened, but I was a while ago when two Indians were +here and crept into the darkness, after conducting themselves in the +most mysterious way." The doña spoke in excellent English. + +Extreme astonishment spread over Brown's features. Then he looked as +if his confidence had been painfully abused. + +"Well, I swanny! Well, I swanny! If this here don't beat the deuce." + +It was too much for him. His hands sought his thighs again, and he +looked incredulously at the girl. + +"If I do say it, this here beats the deuce!" + +The man was of type the doña had never met before. However, the humor +of the situation came to her and she laughed. + +"The scamp is a fool, but that's nothing so unusual as to amuse you +so," snapped the dueña. "I'm going to try and sleep. I'll let his +master know of this. I'd have this fellow shut up on bread and water +for ten days, with several whippings for good measure. Ah--h! these +wet clothes. I'm glad we're safe, and the horses too." + +She covered her eyes with the blanket to shut out the firelight. + +"Does the old lady ketch my talk? I rather thought she saw the joke." + +"She understands no English." + +"Mebbe not, but I speak plain United States. It's wonderful to meet +one of you folks who knows how to talk straight language." + +The strangeness of the place and time did not prevent Señorita Mendoza +from again being amused. "We certainly speak language--the Spanish +language." + +"That's what I call 'lingo,' plain 'lingo.' But that's neither here +nor there. You talk American fine. Of course not as good as I do. +You couldn't expect that; but I understand every word you say. + +"My employer, I take it, is English," Brown went on, "but he talks my +talk all right--not as I do of course. I'm glad he's wise as he is +that way, for 'ceptin' him, yourself included, I haven't conversed with +nobody for months. A man naturally gets just stale, homesick for folks +and talking." + +He seated himself comfortably by the fire, threw on a dried branch or +two, then, nursing one knee with his hands clasped together, he looked +at the girl. Weeks of unshaven stubble gave his face a grotesque +appearance, but Carmelita had a feeling of protection in the presence +and friendliness of this serving man. + +"You speak of the other man as 'captain' and sometimes as 'employer.' +That means he is your overseer, does it not?" + +"Well," in a puzzled way, "he pays me for my time, and I do the work he +cuts out for me. That there sums up the relations of me and Cap'n." + +The dueña stirred in her sleep. "My horses----" she muttered, then was +quiet. + +"Guess the old lady ain't restin' well. P'raps she's troubled with +nightmare." + +"No, I think she's worrying about her horses." + +"Do say! Mebbe they're all the poor creetur has." + +Carmelita smiled. + +"Well, anyway, I hope she's got enough over and above to buy herself +another wagon." + +"The lady here spoke a while ago of the other man owning you----" + +"Own me!--like a nigger--not much!" + +The leg he had been holding shot straight before him. Resting his +palms beside him on the ground he looked at the doña in mingled +amazement and indignation. + +"No man owns me, Miss--I dunno your name. I'm my own boss, beholding +to no one save and except Jehovah." He swept one arm widely over his +head, then used it as a prop again. "If the Cap'n here should try to +come it over me as master, why, decent feller that he is, I'd chuck him +body and bones out into the storm right here and now. My politics is, +one man is good as another if he behaves himself"--a revelation in +democracy to the doña. + +"I greatly appreciate your coming to tell us not to be frightened of +those Indians. Likely they only took refuge from the storm, as did we." + +Brown shook his head. + +"I reckon they're guides to the big huntin' regions east of here +somewhere. That's where we're bound for, and that's why I shipped with +the Cap'n in the first place. He's death on big game. You see," +confidentially, "I'm a steamboater by profession. Up and down the +Mississippi's been my trick for a dozen year. Last fall followed a +flock of prairie schooners from Saint Joe to Santa Fé, largely for +diversion. Met the Cap'n, and he was full of Californy and huntin' +grizzlies. He wanted a man-of-all-work. I wanted a job. Here I be." + +"Your life has been of great interest, I'm sure." + +"Well, then, I'll continue where I left off. I was asleep when the +Injuns came. They were talkin' mad-like with the boss in lingo. He +gave it back to 'em in lingo. They p'inted out here where you be, and +I took it they were riled up about you folks. The Cap'n smoothed 'em +off after a while. I strolled along to tell you some way not to be +scared of the creeters, if they'd growled at you when they came in. +Here I still be." + +"Perhaps you wish to sleep again now." + +"Not any. Horses all saddled to start. We was guided here by some +Injun or other. Found everything here in plenty. Never saw anything +like it. Reckon when Cap'n is through in there we'll start somewhere. +He stops for no weather. I'll foller where man can lead." + +Brown's flow of speech had left him talked out. He looked at the girl +for a moment or two. She sat with the blanket around her and was +studying him. + +He finally asked: + +"If I'm not infringin' on the idees you've been raised by I'd like to +ask how you come to know American?" + +She laughed. + +"My father taught me English. I cannot remember when I did not speak +it." + +"Well! Your pop's Spanish, I take it." + +"Yes. He learned English first when among Englishmen in the Napoleonic +wars. He even commanded an English regiment for a time. After the +battle of Talavera he led one of the divisions of the English army off +the field, every officer above him having been cut down." + +"My own pop fit in our war of 1812, about when that Napoleon was +raisin' old Scat. My pop read all about it. Old gent's sixty-nine +now. Born in New Hampshire was pop; mom in old Virginny. They met up +in Missouria and married. Here I be, as I notified you before." + +The girl did not make comment. + +The fire died low. Brown was busy with his thoughts. + +Three men came from within the inner cave. Carmelita lay back. The +dim light showed two of them to be the Indians she had seen before, the +third was Brown's employer. The Indians were plainly enraged. The +other's manner was suave and appeasing. Their conversation was +animated, but, for a time, no distinct word reached the girl. The +heavy guttural voices of the natives contrasted strongly with the +attempted soothing tones of the white man. + +"Don't be skeered, miss," whispered Brown. "We won't let 'em tech ye." + +"Your palaver is useless, Sir Englishman," one of the speakers said in +a higher key than before. "Cash in the palm is your only argument with +us." The tone was vibrant with passion. He huddled his blanket +closely around his shoulders. + +Word and manner of the white man were smooth as he said: "We must not +discuss it here. Let us return to the inner chamber. Some further +refreshment you need before going out into the storm. Let us further +consider my offer privately. These señoras----" + +"Huh!" interrupted the Indian. "I care nothing if Administrator +Mendoza hears me, let alone a storm-driven señora or two. The +refreshment you offer is our own cache. Remember, the offer that +carries weight with us is, money down." + +His fellow mumbled some word of assent. + +The conversation was now plainly heard by the doña. + +The dueña half awakened. "Are we nearly home?" sleepily. "That Luis +is a poor driver." + +She slept again. + +"Old lady likely is riled about all this noise when she wants to +sleep," Brown remarked. + +"Come back, amigos. Let us not decide thus a matter of grave +importance. Come, talk further in retirement, and then make another +appointment, if necessary." This from the Captain. + +The Indian stamped in fury. + +"Come back, you say--always come back to the other chamber. You haggle +as do market-women over eggs. I know the vastness of the prize you +seek. As superintendent of the Mission vessels have I sold wheat to +English dogs in the north and Mexican friends in the south, so do I +know of what I speak. Its coast line alone marks a thousand miles. +Itself is an empire ten times the area of your petty island. I say I +am willing to help you make your own this territory, still you haggle, +haggle. Huh!" + +"But, my friend, we must keep these matters----" + +"But, my friend--my friend!" the Indian mocked. "Men unnumbered are at +my command. Still, you have only words, words, words." + +"At the proper time and place----" + +"The proper time and place is now and here. One hundred thousand +pesos' value in your English gold notes--you claim you have the money +in Monterey--place you in my hand the day the next new moon is born. +Then, when you wish, my subjects in the inland--I am their +king--declare Great Britain's flag to be their own, and I will hold +them your loyal subjects." + +Brown threw some wood on the embers. "That Injun is yelpin' back talk +at the Cap'n any fool can see. I never could stand much sass from sech +people myself," in an aside to Carmelita. + +"Come, friend, we may not deliberate here for others to overhear. Come +with me. I have your point of view----" + +"Yes, or no, señor. You have my point of view, you say. Then, accept +or refuse. You are not the only bidder." + +"A glass of aguardiente in the inner chamber----" + +"Ah! you refuse! In coming here my time was wasted. I go elsewhere." + +Casting blanket away he strode toward the darkness and the downpouring +rain. As he neared the fire the light showed his face clearly. It was +curiously wrinkled, not unlike a savage dog ready to bite. His +companion followed him. + +The leader was the dreaded Yoscolo, the craftiest Indian in the +Californias, and the best educated. The other was Stanislaus, once of +the Mission of San José, a man as cruel as Yoscolo, if less clever. + +The doña cuddled nearer the bed as they passed, + +"Hold!" cried the Captain as the Indians reached the cave entrance. +"I'll accept your proposition." + +They turned. + +"Come back and we will arrange preliminaries within." + +"Done!" said the leader. Stanislaus grunted affirmation. + +A shout sounded in the open, followed by the words: + +"Here is the carreta, Señor Mendoza, and footprints leading on. Have +the men bring lights." + +Mendoza's voice gave some order. + +"Juan Antonio, you did well," he continued. + +The Indians, Yoscolo and Stanislaus, vanished like wraiths. + +"More Injuns, Cap'?" inquired Brown. + +"Possibly. Let us go." + +"And leave the ladies to be skeered to death? No, sirree! I stay." + +"Please stay," requested Carmelita in English. "My father is here and +will thank you." + +"The women are safe, Brown. Out the other entrance of the cave. Come, +I tell you." + +"Just as you say, Cap'--not that I'm skeered of her pop. You lead and +I'll foller." + +Just as the darkness hid them Juan Antonio came into the cave. He was +covered with mud. Mendoza followed on horseback. Mounted peons filled +the cave entrance. + +"Papacito! Papacito!" Carmelita ran toward her father. + +"My child, come thou to me!" springing to the ground and clasping her +in his arms. + +"I'll not have such a commotion in my house," announced the dueña, +returning from sleep. "It is not the hour for the fandango." + +Light flared from the replenished fire. + +"Why, Señor Mendoza!" now quite awake. "How did you manage to find +this place on such a dark night?" + +Mendoza pointed to Juan Antonio. "He followed your steps even in the +darkness. To horse, at once, señora, and you too, my child. The storm +abates, only to resume shortly. We must reach the main road before the +rising water bars our way. Let us go. May God be thanked for your +safety! How made you this fire?" + +"Those who are gone built it, my father." + +"When we numbered not thy carreta with the others sorrow darker than +the night ruled my soul. Now is the blackness light. Hence, and +quickly! To horse, all!" + +In a moment the cave was alone with the fire and the shadows. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE POLITICAL POT SIMMERS + +"Big game occupyin' mud houses endurin' the wet spell, be they Cap'?" + +The Captain sharply drew up his bridle reins. + +"Brown, are the wages I pay satisfactory to you?" + +"You bet, Cap'. They're the best I've ever had. If the wages and the +place didn't suit me, you'd have heard me talk long before this." + +"Very well, my man. We are now entering Monterey, the capital of this +province. Your sole concern there will be with preparations for +further journeys according as I give you orders." + +"Just as you say, Cap'," from the placid Brown. "Of course you +remember I shipped with you on the proposition of big game huntin'." + +The other did not reply. + +The small adobe dwellings, dubbed "mud houses" by Brown, were succeeded +by more pretentious ones as the riders neared the town proper. From +every dooryard the prickly-pear cactus pointed its heavy oval leaves. +Sweet peas rioted in tinting of sky and sunshine. The Castilian rose, +blushing and demure, bowed from its stem in challenge to the hand of +the passer-by. + +It was the children rolling and tumbling along the muddy street who +drew Brown out of his silence. + +"By hicky! this here is a monstrous place for children. Just now I +actually counted eighteen on one front stoop. They was in reg'lar +graydashun of sizes from a foot up to five feet six inches, I should +jedge." This critically. + +"The province could easily support one thousand times its present +population," replied the other. + +Amusement and contempt struggled together on the face of honest Brown. + +"One thousand times as many Injuns as is cumberin' the ground right +now! By hickey! I don't think the Almighty should allow it." + +They entered the large plaza around which were many of the important +buildings of the capital. Here ran in full stream the life of early +California. Indian women, gay in colored shawl and gown, edged their +way among the fiery steeds drawing the carreta of the grandee's family. +The Mexican smoking his corn-paper cigarito touched elbows with the +hidalgo's son who was clad in velvet and fine linen, with inlaid gold +on his hat-band and gold spur on his heels. + +Skins brown, skins red, skins white intermingled. Wealth and lack of +it walked side by side. There was no poverty in the California of this +time. + +"Well, I swanny!" from Brown. "Did you ever see such a theayter?" + +The Captain alighted near a long line of low buildings. A peon came +forth bowing obsequiously. + +"Let this man take the horses, Brown. He will show you an eatinghouse. +Remain not very far from this place until I return." + +"Well, by Gosh! Left with the heathen and his flesh pots! I say, +Cap'----" + +The Captain was gone. Whereupon Brown followed whither the peon led +him, the while speaking naïve criticisms of this worthy and of all +things Californian. The Indian understood nothing, but grinned +obligingly whenever he saw the stranger had completed some period or +other of his discourse. + +The disappearance of his "Cap'" did not disturb Brown. He had become +too well accustomed to the flittings of the chief. Their place of +residence was in a cañon of the high mountains, a score of miles east +of the pueblo San José. Here a rude cabin had been found formerly +occupied by vaquero peons. From this point the leader and his factotum +sallied forth on many an excursion. If Brown wondered at the meaning +of it all, he rarely questioned, and never searchingly. It sufficed +that finally they would hunt "big game." + +The Captain, hastening along a narrow street, came to a plaza smaller +than the one he had left, but otherwise similar to it, around which +were grouped many of the homes of officialdom. This plaza was the +center of the fashionable as well as of the political life of the +province. + +He stopped before one of the most imposing residences. Within the +porte-cochere a man sat on a bench. He was the outside guardian of the +dwelling, a position of importance at the time. + +"I wish to speak with one of the house," the Captain announced. + +The other arose and bowed ceremoniously. + +"Whom have I the honor of addressing?" + +"Will you carry the Señora Doña Valentino word that a man is here to +see her on the king's business?" + +The stranger's unpretentious attire and travel-stained appearance had +not deterred the guard from showing him the suave courtesy a guest +should receive, but the words, "on the king's business" seemed to sting +the Spanish-American. + +"Señor," in grandiose manner, "I am a citizen of Mexico, an official of +this household. No king and no one on the king's business is welcome +where rules the republic of Mexico." + +"Confound it, man! take my words to the señora. She will understand. +I have no time for your heroics. Hurry up, I tell you!" + +The other crossed his arms and looked disdainfully at the Captain. + +"On the king's business, you say! On the king's business! Have you +been asleep these many years and awakened only now? Have you----" + +"Have done with your twaddle, man. I'll find somebody inside who will +carry my word." He started along the porte-cochere to the front door. + +"Stop! Stop! At your peril! Stay your feet, sir!" + +"It's all right, Benito. I'll usher the señor to the reception room +myself. Come, amigo, with me," broke in a soft voice now addressed to +the Captain. + +The petty official was all apologies and deep bows. The Captain paid +no attention to him. + +"Come, Captain, with me." + +"I thank you, Señora Valentino." + +"I chanced to be passing the main vestibule and saw you. Benito's +patriotism was opposing your way. No?" + +They were walking along a wide corridor of the mansion. Sunlight +poured in through many small-paned windows. Peons, men and women, were +constantly going and coming. + +"This Benito's patriotism should be flogged out of his skin," was the +reply. + +The lady laughed. They reached a large door which she opened by +pressing a spring at the side. + +"His patriotism, then, is but skin deep, you think?" + +She motioned the Captain to a chair. The door slammed with a metallic +click. They were in a small room well lighted. Book shelves, closely +filled, writing material, and desks, bespoke the library. + +"I fancy this creature's patriotism would well be termed impertinence. +This have I seen often enough disappear under fervent application of a +riding-whip." + +She looked closely at the speaker. + +"Captain Farquharson," after a moment, "you have been in the +Californias more months than I have weeks. Neither is this your first +visit. No?" + +"It is not." + +Señora Valentino nodded. + +"Greater opportunities for observation, decidedly, have you had than I. +Still, I will say, noble señor, that the Mexicans here are vastly +different from the natives of Hindustan where you have been; or even +from the peasantry of southeastern Europe where, in other times, your +fertile talents have found employment." + +"True of the few Spaniards here, and their descendants. I cannot +agree, my lady, with you as to the Mexicans. They----" + +She raised a delicate, well-jeweled hand, perhaps to interrupt him; +more likely, to emphasize what she had begun to say. + +"My Captain, blows will never win the Mexican to favor your cause--I +should say, our cause--any more than will they the Spaniard. Both have +tasted here the sweets of personal liberty in no small degree. We must +imbue them with a desire for the ampler freedom of Anglo-Saxon +civilization, balancing thereby their love for Latin forbears; or, at +least, for Latin form." + +Farquharson lightly struck the desk near his chair. + +"Gain the leaders, señora, gain the leaders; and we drive the others +after them like sheep. Once, in Calcutta----" + +"Perhaps in some province of India--never in the province of +California. Bethink you, Captain! Suppose that bold spirit in the +north, Mendoza, should dream your great country has here an agent +purposing to do what you say. Not the years of the prophet, which he +has lived, would hold him from leading his mounted peons, night and day +in search of you." + +"Then what, my lady?" + +"Then delivering you, at the end of a lariat, to the Colonel Barcelo, +my brother-in-law, owner of this house, and head of the military prison +here." + +The beautiful woman, leaning in her chair, placed her hand on the +Captain's arm. "Now to business. Your message found me here two days +ago. Of course mine found you." She paused a moment thoughtfully, +then continued: + +"Colonel Barcelo returns to-night. I have planned for you to visit us +this evening. You are my friend, Captain Farquharson, whom I knew in +London two years ago. You are in the West for big game. Is it not +so?" She laughed. + +"Does Colonel Barcelo know of the wishes of my government?" + +"He knows nothing. I am seeking to prepare him for such knowledge, +however. To-night you may speak much or little, as you think wise." + +"Señora, you spent several days at the home of Señor Mendoza after the +storm. Did any word of yours sound him as to his political feelings?" + +"Señor Mendoza's words on such matters come slowly. I believe his +thoughts are correspondingly rapid." + +"Why so, señora?" + +"During my short stay in his hacienda house many young men came there. +You know his daughter Carmelita is a beautiful girl." + +The Captain started to speak, but smiled instead. + +"These caballeros were duly presented to me. For some reason they +spoke, at first casually, but, finally, earnestly, concerning the +future political status of this province. I listened." + +The Captain laughed. "Señora, how did you manage to get the young +hidalgos talking on such a subject?" + +"Fie! Fie! Captain. Even a soldier diplomat should not seek to +understand a woman's ways. Let it suffice that they talked." + +"Yes, yes, señora, they talked. They said----" + +"Many things. A number sat or were standing around me in the reception +room one evening. The wine warmed them, though they drank not +intemperately. Politics rolled from their tongues. + +"Spoke the handsome youth, Abelardo Peralta: 'Why wait for Mexico to +drop us? Let us declare now our freedom and become a province of +mighty England.' A dozen others joined in declaring for England. +Señor Mendoza was listening to all this conversation, meanwhile beaming +on everybody. Now he spoke for the first time. Said he: 'Since we are +giving away provinces, let us go to the ballroom. The señoritas are +waiting. It is the province of hearts there, and giving and taking is +always in order.' Thus deftly did our wary host stem the current. +Mendoza's keenness is an element not to be lightly considered." + +"Was there Morando? No?" asked Captain Farquharson, falling into the +manner of speech of the Spaniard. + +"Yes, Morando was there. Eyes, ears, hands, feet, and heart has he for +the Señorita Doña Mendoza." + +The serene calm of the woman ruffled ever so little. + +"Morando cannot have vented his Spanish citizenship thus soon. +Doubtless easily he becomes one of us." + +"I fancy it will be as says the Señorita Mendoza, who, in turn, is +deeply in love with her father. Capture the gray eagle and the nest is +yours." + +"I suppose so. I suppose so. Why came Morando to California, do you +know? Anything against him in Madrid, anything we could use to +influence him here, I mean?" + +"Nothing--absolutely nothing." After a pause: "At Mission San José +there are two men who could persuade North California for us or against +us. Mind, I say 'persuade'; for, unless I mistake greatly, neither one +would consent to act as bell-wether after which go willy-nilly the +sheep flock." + +He waited for her to go on. + +"One of these two men is, of course, Señor Mendoza; the other is Padre +Osuna." + +"A word about the señor, my lady. I recognize the man's worth and +ability, and the weight he would add to our cause; yet I do not think +it wise to approach him myself." + +"May I ask your reason?" + +"Colonel Mendoza and I met in the old days when I was a young man." + +"A young man, Captain?" archly. + +"I have seen a half century of life. My meeting with Mendoza was thus +wise. At Talavera the allied forces opposed the French. In a +preliminary skirmish our colonel was wounded. My regiment held a +position in the extreme forward center. Colonel Mendoza was hastily +called from the left wing of the army, where the Spanish troops were, +and was placed over us. The French began the battle by heavy +cannonading. The captain of my own company, also the first and the +second lieutenant, were blown to pieces before an hour. I was third +lieutenant. To save the men from annihilation, as I believed, I +withdrew a little distance. + +"The Spanish colonel was furious. He dashed up on his horse, ordered +the company in position, subjecting me all the while to vitriolic +criticism." + +"What did you, Captain?" + +"I replied to him. He struck me with the flat of his sword." + +"And what did you then?" + +"I could do nothing. We were in the face of the enemy then, as for +months. Later, the allied forces were separated. A generation has +lived and passed since that blood-stained day of Talavera. Mendoza, +doubtless, does not remember me. Still, it would not be wise to risk +injury to our cause by bringing to play any ill feeling he might +possibly retain against me." + +"Our Captain is judicious." Continuing: "Know you the value of these +Californias?" + +"They are the pivotal center of Orient and Occident. My government +well knows the harbors here, their possibilities----" + +The señora's raised hand stopped him. Her fingers ran along the wall +searchingly. At last she pressed hard, then harder. + +The wall separated at a line above her head, the lower part of the wall +slowly sinking through the floor. + +"I am going to show you the treasure-chamber of a dead-and-gone +governor of the Californias, when the province was a part of Spain." + +A room half the size of the library was in view. Stone mortars were on +the floor, and on the shelves. Resting on the brims of the vessels, +and caught on the rough sides of the exteriors, were many yellow +particles which dully shone in the newly-admitted light. + +"Why, this is gold! gold!" touching his fingers on the edge of a jar. +"These stones must once have held the ransom of a king!" pointing to +the interior of one mortar after another. Amidst spider-webs and the +accumulated dust of years lay thin streaks of gold-dust tracing the way +from rim to bottom. + +He examined an ancient broom which lay among the receptacles, gold +showing among its moldy strands. "Zounds! señora. It is pure gold. +I've seen it in its native state the world over." + +He crossed the room. As he walked tiny nuggets of the metal which had +escaped the sweepings of the old-timer grated under his feet. +Fingermarks could be seen on the floor where the treasure had been +scooped up by the single and double handfuls. + +"Twenty years ago I was told that California's hills and valleys framed +a skeleton of virgin gold. Here may be proof of it. Pray, my lady, +what do you know of this? Where did the gold come from?" + +She indicated some maps hanging on the walls. "These drawings show +whence came the gold which once rested here." + +"Yes--yes--they show--they show a river flowing from high hills--and +the direction from Monterey--north of east it is. Here is the scale of +miles. Why, it is not a fortnight's journey to the place. Ah!--here +are signs--yes, signs--but, perdition! they are hieroglyphics. I can +make out nothing more. Señora, how in the name of mystery did you +learn of this trick-room?" + +She had been standing quietly, noting with interest and some little +amusement the varied activities and remarks of the Captain. + +"The secret was made known to me in Spain. The one-time Spanish +governor built a palace in Seville, on his home-coming from Monterey, +and lived ever after as a prince. These jars supplied the wherewithal. +As I heard it, he intended to return some day, on private ship, for yet +vaster measure of this golden sifting which lies hidden in the +California hills, but alas! too much good living and gout did not +permit." + +"This is wonderful--most wonderful! Somewhere in the hills there is +gold, quantities of gold. Likewise, there is gold in these fertile +valleys, for they smile in verdure and give promise of rich harvest a +week after the drought is over. My lady, the world never dreams of the +possibilities of this province." + +"Clive gave India to England. May we not do even more?" + +"Just so, señora, just so. Does anyone else know of this room?" + +"Quite likely no one. Even Colonel Barcelo does not, his own house as +it is." + +"But these maps! Do you not think it singular that the owner did not +most carefully preserve these talismanic signs, and take them away with +him?" + +"They were left here with purpose, friend of mine." + +"And that purpose?" + +"Oceans are stormy, distances long, buccaneers many, brave Captain." + +"I do not catch your meaning, señora. Do enlighten me." + +"In plain words, then: if that gold should, perchance, take wings, the +whilom possessor, aided by his maps, could get another precious cargo. +But if the maps, as well, should take unto themselves flight, what +then? Perhaps no more of the yellow metal! So, my wise and thrifty +governor-general of the province made two sets of drawings, taking the +one with him, leaving the other snugly ensconced in our little +treasure-chamber here," pointing whimsically about the room. + +"But, my lady, how did you learn all these things?" + +"This same governor-general was my late husband's grandfather. He left +in cipher a description of this room, of the maps and of the mine. For +more than fifty years the key to the cipher was mislaid. I chanced to +come across it, six months ago, in the archives of my husband's family. +The cryptogram stated that the treasure which once filled these mortars +was but a hint of greater riches in the mountains." + +"What a country! What a land this will be when the union jack tips the +flag-pole at Monterey!" + +"A country well worth the hire, Captain mine." + +"You speak of Friar Lusciano Osuna. I called on him, not long since, +with letters. He was ill, but very courteous. I explained a little of +our work here. I take it he is a Mexican citizen." + +"He is a citizen of Great Britain." + +"Perhaps by some sufferance." + +"By his eminent right! That government would go much farther in his +protection than it would for you or for me, though we are its special +agents in a great cause." + +"Just the man we need, then, señora." + +A knock at the door. + +Noiselessly weight and spring raised the movable wall to its place. + +Without was an elderly Mexican leaning rather stiffly on a cane. + +"Your gringo servant has made much trouble for himself, and is now in +jail," the man said to Farquharson. + +"How do you know it is my servant?" + +"He told me. I am under jailer. I was directed to Colonel Barcelo's, +whither some said you had gone. The peons here brought me to you. +Your servant, sir, getting in liquor, shot one of the officers of the +guard. Now, he wishes to see you on a matter of gravest importance. +Doubtless he will be executed at sunset. Will you come, señor?" + +"Zounds! Adios, señora. I'll return as soon as I have settled this +wretched business. I must get poor Brown out of his predicament, let +come what may." + +The messenger, followed by the Captain, passed out of the house. They +followed the street to a narrow passage and turned into it. The +supposed elderly Mexican shook himself. Away fell disguise, and the +scowling face of Yoscolo was before Farquharson. + +"You root-digging beast!" exclaimed the Englishman through his shut +teeth. He aimed a blow with his fist at the chieftain's head. Yoscolo +ducked to one side. A blanket fell from behind over the Captain's face +and shoulders. A strong embrace pinioned his arms and carried him up +many stairs, his muffled shouts not sounding above the shuffle of +accompanying feet. + +Soon Farquharson was pushed through an entrance. Yoscolo gave quick +orders in the Indian tongue. His men bound the Englishman hand and +foot, and removed the blanket from his head. He found himself in a +large room lighted by a lantern. Several rude benches lined the walls, +while dried grass in a corner where blankets lay marked the sleeping +place of Indians or of lower-class Mexicans. + +"Bring a settee for the Captain," said the leader, with mock +politeness. "He must be weary after his recent exertion." + +His men complied. + +"More comfortable now, amigo?" when Farquharson was seated. "Well, +then, let's to business. I've not much time to spend with you." + +Farquharson paid no attention to him. + +"Perhaps you do not understand. Is it so? Well, listen now. Captain +Farquharson, you promised me the value of a hundred thousand pesos in +English gold notes the day the next new moon was born. That day was +yesterday. The gold notes are in your hands, not mine. Your word is a +lie." The Indian was speaking in very fair English. + +The Captain did not reply. + +"You waste my time," speaking now in Spanish. "I have much to do and +cannot trifle. You have in Monterey, in the hands of the English +consul, the value of one hundred thousand pesos in gold notes. So you +have said. Place the money in my hand and I'll turn my loyal subjects +in the interior valleys to your cause. My word is true." + +"Take away these cords. Allow me to go free; then, come with me to the +consul's, and there we'll consider what you say." + +The Indian shook his head. "Captain Farquharson never leaves this room +alive unless the money is paid first." + +"The British consul will not pay you the money unless I am with you." + +"Fear not, Captain. I'll take chances on getting the money." + +Farquharson laughed in spite of his bonds. + +"Nonsense, Indian!" + +"Nonsense or not, give me an order, leaving blank the name of payee; +stamp it with your seal--I found it in your pocket just now--and I'll +collect the money. In two hours from that time you will be free." + +"I must take time to decide what I'll do." + +"There is only one thing for you to do." + +"Let me free, so that I may decide the more quickly." + +A voice called through the door. Without replying to Farquharson, +Yoscolo made a quick gesture. The others gagged the prisoner with a +scarf-end, and blindfolded him with a piece of silken sash. + +The door was opened. A whispered conversation followed, then he heard +the heavy tread of Yoscolo descending the stairs. + +The men placed the Captain on the bed. + +After what appeared an interminable time the watchers ungagged him and +placed food at his lips. He ate of the tortillas, or Mexican corn +bread, and of the chili con carne, or stewed meat and chili peppers, +which were offered. A glass of Mission wine followed. + +"Amigos, I can make you rich. Loosen these ropes and come with me. +Why not be free from such a master as Yoscolo, and be rich at the same +time? A ship will take you and your money where he can never reach +you." + +The gag was hastily replaced. + +The hours passed slowly. At last he fell asleep. + +The leader's voice awakened him, saying: "Free his mouth and eyes." + +It was done. + +In the dim light he saw Yoscolo standing before him with folded arms. +The others, like unblinking watchdogs, were by his side. + +"Captain, will you write that order? Surely, you have had time to +think now." + +"It would be foolish to do as you say. Come now, release me; give some +earnest of turning your San Joaquin camps to our side, then I'll pay +you the money and bear no grudge against you for tying me up here." + +The chieftain grunted. + +"Grudge or not, white man, I'm too useful to your side for you to work +out spite against me. Write that order. Write, also, a note to the +consul saying you were suddenly called to Los Angeles--or any place. +Date both order and note two days ago--you have been here in this room +that length of time--and you go free. I have, then, the money; you +will have my support--a very happy ending to your detention." + +"But see, Yoscolo----" + +Yoscolo interrupted with an oath. "You shall haggle with me no more. +Men, bring fire for his feet and hands. I'll make the fox come to +time. Captain Farquharson, you write that order and note, or I'll +torture you till you do." + +A fourth Indian entered the room silently, and spoke to the leader. + +Yoscolo stamped in fury. "Carrajo! Puerco! I not only have to be the +brains, but the hands, in everything. What's the matter with +Stanislaus? Where is he?" + +"I do not know," meekly replied the messenger. + +"I do not know! What do you know? Get out of here!" + +The man disappeared, closely followed by Yoscolo. + +The Indian watchers looked at Farquharson without speaking. + +"Amigos----" + +They placed their hands on their pistols threateningly. + +"Ease the cords on my feet," he asked. "Your chief will not object to +that." + +Each Indian touched his lips, then dropped his hands to his pistol butt. + +The sperm oil in the lantern burned low. The men extinguished the +light, to replenish the oil. In a few minutes it was again burning +brightly. + +The astounded Indians saw Farquharson standing in front of them, wrists +and ankles free, brandishing an open clasp-knife. + +They cowered away from him. He moved toward the door as fast as his +benumbed limbs could take him. + +Dread of Yoscolo overcame their superstitious fear. They drew their +pistols, and commanded: "Hands up! Away from the door!" + +Farquharson dropped his knife. He moved his arms over his head in +extraordinary fashion, grimaced at the ceiling, then moved slowly +toward his jailers. Flirting his fingers ominously at them, he +exclaimed in sepulchral tones: "Winky, wanky, wunky, fum! Winky, +wanky, wunky, fum!" + +Despite the pain in his ankles he executed a miniature war-dance on the +floor, again solemnly uttering: "Winky, wanky, wunky, fum!" + +The Indians moved back from him, again overcome by his "big medicine." +In one of his eccentric movements he managed to knock over the lantern, +the oil running out over the floor. They snorted in terror, and began +some incantation. + +Farquharson found the door and started downstairs. His feet refused +further action. He fell and slid down to a landing. + +The Indians heard the fall. There was a colloquy and a rush across the +floor. + +The Captain attempted to crawl to the next flight of stairs, but he +could move but slowly. + +The Indians opened the door. + +"Light the lantern," called one. + +A voice could be heard in the street: "Have ye seen the Cap'n? O, I +say, have ye seen the Cap'n? Durn ye, can't ye understand American?" +Then, in a louder tone: "I say, have any of you dum fools seen the +Cap'n? Don't ye know anything in this 'ere country?" Finally, still +louder: "_Have any of you durned niggers seen the Cap'n?_" + +It was Brown searching for his employer, and trying by strength of his +lungs to make up for lack of knowledge in his hearers. + +"Brown! Brown!" yelled Farquharson. "Come here quick!" + +"Where be ye, Cap'?" from the delighted Brown. + +"Here! Up the stairs! Quick!" + +Finding the stairs was not a difficult matter, and up came Brown, three +steps at a time, shouting again: "Where be ye, Cap'?" + +The light through a begrimed window showed the helpless Englishman on +the landing. + +"Well, I swanny!" wondered Brown. + +"Get me to the street. Be quick! The Indians will come." + +Fear of Yoscolo gave spirit to the aborigines. They rushed down the +stairs, one of them holding the lantern which they had taken time to +refill and light. "Hands up!" they commanded in Spanish, presenting +their weapons. "Hands up! or we'll shoot." + +Brown seized one of the men by waist and neck and hurled him at the +other. "O, talk United States!" he shouted. + +The Indians fell headlong. Brown lifted the Captain to his shoulder +and flew down the stairs. Several pistol shots missed aim, but no +pursuit was attempted. Brown's performance probably looked like more +"big medicine" to the Indians. + +Soon the rescuer and his burden were outside. + +"I've carried many a pig, Cap', but never down so many stairs to wunst. +Where be ye hurt?" + +"I'm better now. I think I can walk if you help me." + +Brown assisted him along the way. + +"Where were ye, Cap'? As near as I can jedge they're searchin' the +whole country for ye." + +"The men you saw were holding me captive." + +"Well, I swanny!" from the disgusted serving-man. "Held by a pack o' +niggers! I never could stand much of that sort o' thing myself from +sech critters." + +Directly they were away from danger, with the life of Monterey flowing +smoothly around them. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +SEÑORA VALENTINO SEEKS TO INTEREST PADRE OSUNA + +The courtyard of Señor Mendoza's hacienda house was glorious in light. +Patterns of Oriental network were reflected from lanterns clustered +along the eaves, strung on improvised archways, or undulating from the +lofty flagpole. Genial spring rejoiced everywhere, no less in rare +exotic floating in miniature lakes than in the countless blooming +flower species that were at home in this Eden-land. The soft air +breathed content as it moved in low voice around giant palm and +high-branching walnut. As the evening waxed the zephyr became a +whisper, then sank to sleep on the fairy scene with a sigh as faint as +the rustle of a leaf. + +The courtyard gate lay open wide. Many of the fairest and of the +bravest in California were to pass within after the day had ceased, to +fare forth against the rebirth of another sun. Mendoza's welcome to +the late-coming rains took the form of pleasure-making for the gentry +of the countryside. Neither thought, nor labor, nor expense had been +spared that this might be a festal night long remembered in Alta +California. + +The lord of the manor sat in his private library. + +"A visitor, Señor Mendoza," announced a peon. + +"It is who?" + +"The Padre Lusciano Osuna." + +"Show him here. No--wait. I'll attend him from the front myself." + +A moment later the señor was at the padre's side. "Welcome, reverend +sir. This house is happy that your feet press its threshold." Mendoza +bowed in Castilian grace, then extended his hand to the priest, who +accepted it in courteous grasp. + +"And you are well, Padre?" + +"Good health blesses me, Señor Mendoza. How makes it with you?" + +"Well. Very well, indeed. Come with me, Señor Padre." + +"I thank you." + +"Padre Osuna," as they sat together shortly after, "it pleases me that +opportunity comes to thank you for sending your major-domo, Juan +Antonio, that night the storm broke, to trace my daughter and her +dueña. I have sought you each day since, only to find you were still +in Santa Cruz. A father's heart thanks you, sir." + +"A pastor's solicitude for one of his flock deserves not thanks, Señor +Mendoza." + +"May I ask, reverend sir, why you brought so strong a fighting force to +meet us that night? Juan Antonio told me it was your order, but held +his counsel further." + +"He knew nothing more. Early that afternoon there came a peon, +fugitive from the renegade camp. After much hesitation, so greatly are +Yoscolo and Stanislaus feared by the Indians, he told me he had seen +the two leaders traveling, no men with them, in the direction of your +merienda ground. I cautioned him to silence lest panic sweep over the +Mission. Marshaling bowmen and carbineers, I mounted horse to come to +your aid, should the miscreants gather force and give any trouble. +Thus I rode to you in the thunderstorm, having dispatched couriers +posthaste to the pueblo for further aid from the soldiery there." + +"The pueblo soldiers were already scouring the Los Gatos hills near +Santa Cruz for the ubiquitous Indian leaders," said Señor Mendoza, +"word having come in from that region that an attack was imminent. A +messenger from the pueblo met us in the foothills not long before you +came. With him rode away Captain Morando, to join his men and their +lieutenant, my fighting peons accompanying him. We rested our horses. +A rapid count of carretas by lantern light discovered the absence of my +daughter and the señora dueña. At that moment you came, reverend +padre." + +The priest bowed. "I greatly regret that a sudden recurrence of +illness prevented me from going farther with you that night. I tarried +home till Juan Antonio came through the driving rain with news of the +lost ones' safety. Strength soon returning, I went on my way to Santa +Clara and farther." + +"You set out at midnight, in the howling storm?" + +"Yes, Señor Mendoza. Duty called me." + +"That is the reply of a soldier, Padre Osuna." + +"I am a soldier of the cross, señor." + +"Well said! Well said! good sir." + +"Allow me to explain, señor, why I have thus come to you when you are +about to open your festivities. Less than an hour ago I returned from +my journey. A messenger from Monterey was at the Mission bearing +written words from the representative of England there. The message +stated that an English citizen disappeared two days ago in the capital +city. He left the home of Colonel Barcelo that afternoon and no one +has seen him since. Much anxiety is felt over his absence." + +A peon appeared in the doorway. "Colonel Barcelo and lady, with Señora +Valentino, await you, Señor Mendoza. The Colonel asks a moment's +private interview." + +"Excuse me for a short time, reverend padre?" + +Before Mendoza could depart the Colonel came bustling in. + +"Heard your voice, my friend, and couldn't stand on ceremony. Have you +received the news? Most interesting it is. Well, the governor has +resigned and I am made acting-governor of the province pending the new +appointment. The former governor is still in Mexico City. Fussy old +curmudgeon he is. Should have resigned years ago. What I want to +know, Señor Mendoza, is, are you laying plans to capture the office? +If you are not, I am sure of getting it, as sure of it as if it was in +my pocket here," tapping his breast-pocket vigorously. "What say you, +Mendoza?" slapping the señor's shoulder with heavy palm. + +"I have pledged myself to remain administrator while the need lasts," +replied Mendoza, glancing at the friar. "The need yet exists, and I +cannot hold two offices." + +"Splendid! Splendid!" exulted Barcelo. "I'll take my chances against +the other aspirants, and you may be assured there will be enough of +them." + +The Padre Lusciano Osuna had arisen. The exuberant Colonel now noticed +him for the first time. + +"Reverend sir, my obeisance! Kindly do not repeat what I have said of +my political hopes." + +Osuna bowed and smiled. "As you wish, sir." + +At that moment Señora Barcelo and his sister entered. + +"My husband is irrepressible. He actually bubbles over like a mineral +spring. He requests a private interview, then shouts his secrets from +the housetops. Reverend padre, I'm delighted to see you well again. +Delighted! How pleasant to meet you on such an occasion as this! +Reverend Padre Osuna, my sister, Señora Valentino, very lately from +Spain. She was with us the night you led those men to us in the rain. +No time for introductions then, of course. Ugh! what an experience!" + +The friar and Señora Valentino acknowledged the introduction. + +"Yes, yes, Señor Padre," exclaimed Barcelo, "what rag-and-bobtail +followed you that night! But it's the way with Indians. They run as +children after anything that promises excitement. How like +wet-dogs-on-horseback they looked. Poor Mendoza here quite lost his +head when his daughter's carreta turned up missing. Lucky I was there. +Why, just send your Indians back-trail in such a case and they can find +anything." + +The Colonel looked around in a self-satisfied way. + +"Why, husband," said Señora Barcelo, "how you so talk! As I say, you +are so irrepressible! It always seems you are nowhere but just in the +front of everything." + +"Quite the place for a soldier, señora, quite the place." + +Here Mendoza interposed. "Señoras and señors, will you not be seated?" + +"Certainly," replied Barcelo. "Certainly." + +"Colonel Barcelo, may I ask you if anything has been heard of the +Englishman who two days ago disappeared in Monterey City?" said Señor +Mendoza. + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the stentorian Colonel. "Why, ha! ha! ha! I +should say something has been heard of the fellow. He walked into my +house half an hour before I left with some cock-and-bull story of +having been kidnaped. Kidnaped! Ha! ha! ha! Good!" + +The Colonel arose and stood before the others. "Let me give you my +theory of the affair," self-complacency shining on his rotund face. + +"Husband, some other time. The guests are surely arriving and Señor +Mendoza wishes to be occupied with them." + +"Patience, good wife, patience. My dear, if you have a fault in the +world it is that you talk too much. Now--let me see where was I when +interrupted. O, yes! The Englishman's disappearance. The explanation +is a simple one." + +The Colonel looked meaningly at his auditors. "Just too much +aguardiente--native brandy. It's most deceptive stuff for a new +beginner. I once had the same experience in Paris with absinthe." + +"Why, Crisostimo, you never told me! How dare you speak of such a +thing?" Señora Barcelo bridling. + +"It was nothing, Clarinda, nothing, my love. Merely something that +might happen to anyone--anyone of investigating mind, I mean, of +course. Well, this Englishman----" + +"O, Crisostimo, when were you in Paris and drank so much absinthe? +It's simply disgraceful how we poor women are deceived. I'm going home +to my uncle in Spain." + +"It was years ago, my love, years ago, long before I met you. I was a +lieutenant then in the Spanish army. Well, we were speaking of the +affair in Monterey. I say----" + +"The less you say the better," from his wife, tartly. + +"My dear, how can you fill the position of governor's wife if you +possess such small pride!" + +The words had magic effect. The señora mopped her eyes with a dainty +lace kerchief, and in a moment was all smiles. Her husband almost +swaggered with suppressed importance. + +"This Englishman was simply drunk. Let me tell you the whole case," +this time without interruption. "The man called on my sister-in-law, +Señora Valentino, a very young woman, as you see." + +Señora Valentino lowered her eyes in appropriate recognition for the +remark. + +"I mean she is inexperienced in the world's ways, has always been +protected, led a sheltered life, and all that. Well, this man she met +occasionally in London some time ago called on her at my house in +Monterey. The fellow was simply drunk, and this poor lady, in her +simplicity, could see nothing of it. Why, the house guardian met him +at my front door, and he began talking nonsense about kings and so on. +Think of this! to a stranger too! + +"Well, the fellow gained entrance through my sister-in-law. Seems to +have behaved while within. Soon came a crony, some old pot-fellow, on +a mock errand, and away went the two to carouse again. Then, the +Englishman was lost. A hue and cry was raised. The inefficient town +police do nothing. Then I make it a military matter, and, behold! the +lost one comes walking to my house with a ready story to tell. Thus, +the kidnaping. Ha! ha! ha!" + +Barcelo subsided into a chair and looked around for approving words. + +"How penetrating you men of affairs are!" This from Señora Valentino. + +"As the Englishman has made his appearance my anxiety concerning him is +over," remarked the padre. + +"Certainly! Certainly!" observed Barcelo. "No cause for alarm. The +man was taken by drink and cooked up a story to suit the case." + +"How clever the Colonel, my brother-in-law, is!" again from Señora +Valentino. + +"With his work as comandante and the added duties of acting-governor, I +cannot see how he will have time to turn," said his wife, admiringly. + +The friar laughed gently, Mendoza, more loudly. + +"From the viewpoint of a simple mission-administrator I can appreciate +what such double work must mean. I trust the Englishman will be more +wary in the future against kidnapers, that you may not be further +burdened from that quarter at least." + +Barcelo winked knowingly. "Brandy overnight usually leaves headache in +the morning. The man must be a seasoned drunkard, for when I saw him +there was no sign of his debauch. Of course he has now learned the +strength of our native product, and I hope will govern himself +accordingly." + +The serving peons with respectful insistence were knocking at the door. +The guests were coming in numbers. + +The Señora Mendoza came into the room, curtsied to the company, then +said to her father, "Papacito, many seek thee." + +"Yes, yes, my child." + +"The child is right," said Barcelo. "Señor Mendoza, your place is with +your arriving company. Come, señoras, let us forth to the grounds. It +is known that I am here. Many will be looking for me." Then in a +confidential aside to Mendoza: "Will you write a letter to the +secretary of state in Mexico City setting forth my qualifications for +the governorship? State what you know for and against," with an air of +great frankness. + +"I'll do as you ask, Colonel." Turning to the friar: "Now, Señor +Padre, we will resume. The guests will be well attended without my +ministrations for the present." + +Padre Osuna placed a small package in his hand. "This is the Jesuit +bark you brought me in my recent illness. I could not accept it from +you as Administrator Mendoza, highly as I esteem the qualities of +character which led you to bring it to me. From Señor Mendoza I should +have greatly valued the favor." + +The other bowed understandingly. "Still I cannot separate Señor +Mendoza from Administrator Mendoza." + +"Let it then be so. Adios, Señor Mendoza," and the friar stepped into +the corridor. + +Everywhere was the hum of voices and echoes of laughter. Bursts of +music sounded from various parts of the house or grounds where +musicians had been stationed. + +Many salutations from the California gentry met the priest as he passed +along. Just outside the outer gate a hand was laid softly on his arm. + +"May I have a few words with Padre Osuna?" + +It was the Señora Valentino. The light made splendid play on her gown +and jewels. The woman was young and fair, as well as exquisitely clad, +but all this seemed to be put away as she stood beside the dull-robed +friar. + +"Certainly, Señora Valentino. If you thus request, my time is at your +disposal." + +"Here is a bench near the gatekeeper's lodge. Will you sit here +awhile, reverend father?" + +The padre seated himself by the woman's side. + +"Perhaps I should yet further introduce myself to you. My husband, the +late Colonel Clodio Valentino, was cousin-german to your mother, +daughter of Ambassador Altamira, of Castile." + +The friar looked keenly at his companion. "I have not seen my mother +in ten years. She spoke often of Clodio Valentino, colonel of the +Royal Hussars, and of his wife. It would seem as if the lady must be +much older than you, señora." + +"I am the Colonel's second wife. We were married seven years ago." + +"I see." + +"Padre Osuna, you can be of wonderful service to the great kingdom of +which you are a citizen. In so doing you fulfill a duty to your state +and to this province of California." + +"Kindly explain, señora." + +"California is as a ripe apple ready to drop into a basket. It +oscillates to and fro. Great Britain holds one basket; the United +States of America, another. Russia, with a third basket, stands at a +distance. Mexico is the tree which must lose the apple in any case. +Reverend padre, you have the length and strength of arm so to shake the +tree that the Great Britain basket catches the apple." + +"Why should I do so, if I could?" + +"The United States looks eagerly on this province. That colossal +nation reaches now to the Gulf of Mexico on the south, and it seeks to +make the Pacific Ocean its boundary on the west. A continent-wide +dominion is its aim." + +"Señora Valentino, I live secluded from the world, and do not wish to +share in its politics." + +"But politics can affect the welfare of your spiritual children. Call +to mind the secularization of your missions by the Mexican government. +That was a political act, yet it cut the nerve of your Order's +religious enterprise in this part of the world. Is it not so?" + +"I believe that it is. Yet our Order once built here a Christian +community from wandering savages, and our heart has not lost zeal, nor +our hand willingness." + +"I rejoice with you in all that, reverend father, but it was done when +the flag of considerate Spain waved here, and the work of the church +was deemed paramount. That flag has departed forever. Why not, then, +seek another protector for Missions and for province which will make +void the inconsiderate work of Mexico, and which will not be second to +Spain, in good endeavor?" + +"Señora, when rumors of change float in the air I close the windows and +doors of my soul to all, that I may give myself unstinted to the work +among God's untutored children." + +"Why not safeguard the temporal and spiritual rights of your Indians? +Ah! padre, think of India over which England is suzerain. There the +amplest freedom is not only allowed but guaranteed to each native cult; +neither does anyone hear of sequestration of church property." + +"It is the truth. English rule and justice walk with equal pace in +India." + +"England would not do less in California for our church." In her +enthusiasm she leaned toward him, her brown eyes flashing. "Else comes +the United States. Her armed ships patrol our coast, sounding, always +sounding, for deep and shallow water, though the coastline of this +province was charted long before the United States of America was born. +Why hazard the contingencies of American government, when the weight of +her little finger, did she so wish, could be heavier than was the whole +hand of Mexico? I, as a child of the church, ask you this. From my +present home in an official family in Monterey I can read the signs of +the time. Padre Osuna, we must act, and quickly." + +"Another has spoken to me somewhat of this." + +"That other was Captain Farquharson? No?" + +The padre did not reply. + +"The Captain seeks to bring California from unsatisfactory Mexico to +stable and safe England. Señor Padre, for the good of souls, the souls +of the Indians you love, help him!" + +The Franciscan sprang to his feet, his figure erect and his face +radiant. + +"But, Misericordia! what can I do!" sinking back into his seat. + +"Ah, humble friar! You have the power of a Savonarola who threw the +wicked, bloody city of Florence to her praying knees. Have I not heard +you in the cathedral in Seville, and again in Barcelona? Did not the +soldiers draw strong cordons at the great cathedral in Madrid when you +spoke there, lest the surging crowd crush themselves at the entrance? +Ah, mighty one! speak to the people of this province, tell them of +England and of her benevolent sway. Lift your voice for your country's +good. Instruct and persuade, as you alone can, priest of the golden +tongue! Then, listen, and from your hearers will come cheers for the +mistress of the seas and her kindly rule. If you are silent, your +church and your state lose much because a man marvelously gifted failed +in manifest duty." + +"I hold the call of duty supreme." + +"You used that as a text for one of your sermons in Seville." + +"Why do you connect me with that preacher in the cathedrals?" + +"Because you are the same man, though you now wear a beard and write +but a portion of your former name." + +"Señora Valentino, that I am here under my present name is approved by +my conscience and by my superiors." + +"I doubt not, good padre." + +The priest looked fixedly at the flag gently waving high above their +heads. + +"Padre, the good of souls! The welfare of your Order! Your Indian +wards!" + +"I know--I know." + +They arose. + +He saluted and turned to go. Then he hesitated. "My will is that of +my superior." + +He walked away a few steps, paused, and stood facing her, with: + +"'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.' My +children of the wilderness cry unto me--unto me." + +Making the sign of the cross, he continued slowly down the road. + +The joy of triumph shone in the señora's smile. + + + + +CHAPTER X + + THE BEGINNING OF THE BALL AT SEÑOR + MENDOZA'S HACIENDA HOUSE + +If taste and industry had been used in decorating the exterior of Señor +Mendoza's mansion for the great ballroom function, the interior gave +evidence of no lack of these same qualities. + +The artistic spirit of the Latin is to the manner born, and the early +Californian developed his inheritance by daily communings with the +beauties of earth, and air, and sky. Mendoza, moreover, had seen the +wonder spots from Paris to Madrid and Vienna; and the fruits of his +experience had ripened and mellowed in the years of wealth and leisure +he had spent on his estate at Mission San José. + +For smaller parties he had reception room, dining room and dancing hall +finished in the oak that his own forests furnished, peons having +skillfully hewed the wood, then, under the master's directions, +polishing the grain until the markings stood out prominently. + +It was the ballroom used for the baile--large party--that showed the +resource of California and the cleverness of Mendoza at the best. This +room, reaching the length of one side of the house, was built in +redwood, of which California is sole producer. + +Mammoth trees, grown on the mountains near Santa Cruz, had been felled +and split from end to end. The exposed sections were trimmed and +smoothed, showing, in many a curious layer of etching, the centuries +these monarchs had lived. Oxen by the score and Indians by the +hundreds had been engaged for months in bringing to Mission San José +these timbers which, placed side by side, made the walls and ceiling of +the apartment. + +"Of the many wood grains," Mendoza often said, "I prefer the redwood +for broad effects. The convolutions run in ampler curve and build +themselves readily into large dimensions." + +The room was looking its best to-night. Chandeliers, fed by sperm-oil, +gave subdued light through delicately tinted shades. Candles branched +from the walls, playing their softened brightness everywhere. The +reddish wood glistened and showed in strong relief the story of its +years. + +In the corners were grouped potted plants and flowers and shrubs. +Radiant bougainvilleas and flaunting hibiscus were side by side with +delicate maidenhair ferns modestly featuring the mossy rocks on which +they first saw life. + +Rare orchids from Japan, grown robust in the kindlier air of +California, strove to surpass in beauty their indigenous relatives. +Poinsettias, vivid in their tintings, stood unabashed with the modest +lily of the valley and the shrinking violet. The California poppy, +lover of both hill and lowland, drooped its head and half folded its +petals, diffident in the presence of the grandees of the floral kingdom. + +The guests had not yet come into the ballroom. The reception rooms, +dressing rooms, and the wide grounds still held them. The señoritas, +with hair flowing over their shoulders, and clad in silken skirt and +train, with bodice, also silken, close-fitting and high-necked, were +not yet ready for the dance. The señoras, near their charges, were +chatting away the time. + +The men strolled about smoking their cigaritos, passing a word here, a +jest there, until the music should call them. Their dress was that of +the Spanish cavalier of the time. From their shoulders fell the +poncho--long cape--made of beaver from Peru. Later in the evening this +garment would be removed, showing old and young in velvet knee-pants, +deer-skin leggins beautifully stamped and broidered, and with shoes of +polished leather held by golden clasps. + +The coat, likewise of imported beaver, reached only to the girth, and +was ornamented on arms and shoulders with silver and gold thread. + +Around their waists were draped bright-colored silken sashes, the ends +long and sweeping. A white linen shirt, elaborately fluted and +sparkling with diamonds, completed their evening dress. Men and women +were lavish in their display of jewels. + +Glorious, splendid California was worthily represented by her sons and +daughters the night of Señor Mendoza's fiesta. + +In the garden a young man in the uniform of an army officer was +speaking with a girl. + +"Señorita Doña Carmelita, a dance with you on the ballroom floor; +another sit I with you in the open. Is it not so?" + +"Señor, the Captain Morando, I promised you a mazurka, nothing more." + +"Truly, señorita, but when sitting one finds words to speak the +thoughts that rise in the heart while flying feet are pursuing the +spirit of the dance." + +"As hostess I may not deny the petition of a guest." + +"O, Señorita Doña! I speak not as a guest to a hostess. I am at your +feet ever, as a subject to a queen. May I not pay a vassal's homage to +you? With many caballeros you tread the dance, never granting further +favor. May I not be the exception?" + +The señorita and the Captain were standing under a big palm. Seeing +her cross the courtyard he had hastened to intercept her. + +She drew away. + +"Since the Señor Captain frees me from my obligation as hostess I will +tell him he is well stocked in presumption." + +In a moment the shadows lost the girl. + +The young man was disconsolate. He buckled his sword-belt tightly, +then loosened it. Pulling his laced cap lower on his forehead he moved +aimlessly about. + +A laugh called him to himself. In the semilight near the ballroom +entrance stood the Señorita Mendoza. Mischief sparkled in her eyes. + +"Señor the Captain, are you playing blind-man's-buff with yourself?" + +"O, señorita mia, only a game of solitaire." + +"A game of solitaire!" rippled Carmelita. "What a diversion for a +ball! Señor Comandante, it is not permitted here." + +A bevy of laughing young women came to the door. + +"Lucinda, come, and Alfreda, and all you girls," called Carmelita. "I +have here a caballero captain who needs our attention. Señoritas +doñas, come quickly." + +Directly they were all fluttering around Morando. + +Fathers, mothers, and dueñas paused in their conversation. + +"The soldier is captive," from Señora Moraga. "Let us see how the +children deal with him." + +"The captive is little worried," commented Señor Zelaya. + +"As art thou, Pedro," said Higuera. "Thou hast thirty years and no +wife. Thy heart should worry thee." + +The señoritas led the Captain into the ballroom, and halted under one +of the chandeliers. + +"Will the Captain have gifts of gold and silver? Does the incense of +friendship delight him?" asked Doña Carmelita. + +"Pleasant questions from a fair questioner, señorita." + +"Yes or no, Señor Captain," chorused the señoritas. + +"Yes, emphatically." + +A score of eggshells, filled with bits of silver and golden paper, were +broken on his head and uniform. Not until the little baskets, +expeditiously handed the girls by peonas, were empty did the +bombardment cease. + +Those looking on laughed and applauded. + +"Brava! Brava! Captain," some one cried. "You are courageous." + +"Yes, yes, and calm in this baptism of fire," from another. + +"To a mirror! Let Captain Morando take view of the new uniform given +him by the señoritas," a third. + +Young and old sportively crowded around Morando and pushed him in front +of a long glass. He was spangled from head to foot with white and +yellow sheen, all gorgeous over the dark background of his uniform. + +"A speech! A speech! Some word of thanks!" insisted the company. + +Silence was not easily found in that care-free gathering. Finally +Morando could be heard. + +"Señoritas, and all my friends, I am happy to wear the colors that +speak of sunrise. It is a double pleasure to receive such rare +insignia from hands the fairest in the land." + +"A good word, Captain! A good word!" exclaimed Abelardo Peralta. "Not +all your vigils are spent at the shrine of war." + +Señor Mendoza entered. "The musicians are idle. Motionless the feet +of señorita and caballero. Why no dancing?" + +"The goddess of wealth has listened to Captain Morando," informed Pedro +Zelaya. "The sweet odor of his gratefulness floats around. The rest +of us wonder and envy." + +"Captain, turn the tables," from Mendoza. "Let not the señoritas bear +all before them." To a peona, "Naomi, bring more eggs." + +The eggs were passed around by dainty basketfuls to the young men who +singled out their lady-loves and generously bespangled them with the +confetti which, moist from scented waters, clung where it fell. + +The señoritas, hair down their backs, flitted about like iridescent +butterflies. Neither were they idle in egg-breaking. Demurely they +would divert a caballero's attention, then quickly break a shell on his +hair, coat or vest. + +The men soon shone in colors as resplendent as those of the señoritas. + +Perfume filled the air. + +Mendoza signaled the musicians. The opening notes of the grand march +sounded. The egg-breaking ceased. + +Señor Mendoza and his daughter led the march. Dance after dance +followed in quick succession. + +"The merriment tempts not my son of late," said Señora Zelaya. "He is +over in that corner talking politics with men a decade his senior. It +is politics, always politics, with him now." + +"Relations strain between Mexico and the United States of America. If +there comes a break, California must be affected. Your son, Señora +Zelaya, and all good Californians, each day are searching carefully the +political horizon." + +Colonel Barcelo came to them with heavy step. + +"I hear, Moraga, you play a clever hand at cribbage. I haven't met my +match at that since I've been in California. Come to the card room +with me and try this thing out. What say?" + +"I'm at your disposal, Colonel, but distrust comes to me when I think +of contesting my small knowledge of the game against your undoubted +excellence." + +"I'll tell you over the cards of the players I've bested in Europe. +Let us go now." + +"Colonel Barcelo," from Señora Moraga, "are we likely to have war?" + +"Señora, you are not the tenth, nor even the twentieth, who has come up +and asked me that question this evening." + +The portly Colonel extended his chest. "Now, I cannot, of course, +speak of private or official information. No man, no real man, you +understand, in my position would do so. But I will say that the +combined position of comandante and acting governor-general gives me +rare opportunities to become acquainted with the exact state of +affairs. You understand me, of course, señora. + +"Yes," rather faintly from Señora Moraga. + +"Well, where was I when interrupted? O yes. This question of war. +I'll simply say no force--no force, mind you--could ever take Monterey, +the capital. Our swivel guns at the castle rake sea- and +land-approach. We are absolutely impregnable." + +"But the rest of us--of the country outside the capital?" again +ventured Señora Moraga. + +"No enemy of sense would care a feather for a country if the capital +could not be taken. In other words, we are another Gibraltar. Come, +Moraga, I always make it a practice to say as little as possible on +these subjects to the señoras. They are easily alarmed. To the card +room let us go, Moraga." + +The men departed. + +"May I serve you a mint lemonade?" asked Morando of Carmelita when the +music had stopped. + +She was willing. + +A peon brought the refreshing drink. + +He bent over the girl, carefully anticipating her each want. + +"Señorita Doña, the sugar? and more lemon juice? Good! Now a spoon." + +"Forget not yourself, Señor Comandante." + +Soon he too was served. + +"Señorita Doña, may I speak to you? I cannot refrain." + +She smiled at him over the edge of her glass. "It seems to me you have +been speaking to me for some time. The thoughts are bubbling up which +the dance set free, as you said in the garden a while ago. Is it not +so?" She laughed. + +The Captain signaled a passing peona who removed the emptied goblets. + +"Señorita Carmelita, pray take my words seriously. I think of you, and +I dream of you. Your image is enshrined in my heart. Before it I do +homage. O, Señorita Doña, I offer you the best devotion of a soldier +whose greatest hope is to love and to cherish you, and to make you +happy. Will you not listen?" + +She blushed and her hands trembled slightly. + +"Speak to me, Doña. Bid me hope, even ever so little. The endeavor of +my life shall be to become worthy of you. Will you not say there is +hope for me?" + +Intensity blazed in the eyes of the handsome soldier, and gave +resonance to his voice. He took the girl's hand. She but half +resisted. + +The settee which they occupied was partly screened by palms from the +rest of the ballroom. A bevy of señoritas, passing through during the +intermission, exchanged knowing glances as they came in sight of the +two, and went on. The man and woman did not notice them. + +"O, Carmelita, will you not answer me when I say I love you? and tell +me in return that you love me? Will you not, Carmelita mia?" + +She did not try to withdraw her hand. Her eyelids drooped, and the +color of the rose swam anew in her cheeks. + +"O, Carmelita, beloved of my heart, say you love me," rapturously. + +"Sorry to interrupt you, but music for the waltz has begun, and I have +the honor to be your partner." + +It was Patricio Martinez, who bore Carmelita away with him to the +waiting dance. + +Morando spoke in a low tone to her: "I'll see you again presently. May +I not?" + +It was not easy for him to see her again soon. The young gallants +crowded around her begging for dances, or pressing their favors on her +during the rest times. + +Morando danced several times, then left the ballroom and wandered +through the reception rooms, joining a group of men who were discussing +the possibilities of wheat-raising in the Santa Clara Valley; then, +another coterie who debated the relative merits of Alta California and +Baja California. Finally, he became one of a company gathered around +Señora Valentino. + +"We change location, but not scenes," she said to him. "One might well +fancy himself in Madrid to-night instead of Mission San José." + +"It is so, señora." + +After a little Morando continued wandering, until he came to the +conservatory where he sat down. + +"I'll remain here till Carmelita is disengaged," was his thought. "She +almost listened to me. If she accepts me, I'll be the happiest man in +the world." + +He spoke half aloud. + +"Your voice, Señor Capitan, tells me you are here. Otherwise, I might +have missed you. What a cozy retreat you have amid these branching +ferns!" + +It was Señora Valentino. + +The Captain's full height bowed to the lady. + +"Will you not be seated, señora? Pardon me for not seeing you sooner." + +"The pardon is yours. Will you not, also, be seated?" making room for +him at her side. + +"I thank you. The favor of your company honors me greatly." + +The señora inclined her head. The gems in her hair gleamed +responsively to the bright lights. The white silk of her gown lay +softly against the vivid green of the ferns. + +"Señor Capitan, I am impelled to come and talk with you." + +"My dear lady, I am honored." + +"I wish to make appeal to you." + +She looked straight into the man's eyes. + +"Señora Valentino, if I can do anything for you, I am thereby most +happy." + +"Many thanks, Señor Soldier. I shall begin." + +Morando was all attention. + +"Señor Capitan, the traditions, the art, the faith of Spain live very +near to my heart. They have made old Spain glorious. The world's +history would be vastly poorer without them." + +"Truly, señora." + +"This province, even now, is smiling under their influence. The future +has splendid things in store for us here if the heritage from across +the sea has way unimpeded. May there not be another Castile beside +this Western coast only less magnificent than the first?" + +"Señora Valentino, you give my own thoughts." + +"I rejoice, Señor Capitan. But on whom rests the duty of safeguarding +this heritage? Is it not on us, the sons and daughters of Castile?" + +"Most unquestionably, señora." + +"Then, let us exert ourselves. Political unrest is agitating the +people. It is as yet formless, but soon it must flow in settled +stream, for men's thoughts, like water, always seek their level. Señor +Soldier, the part of every lover of Castile is plain." + +"Please say further, señora." + +"Mexico and California soon go their separate ways. Is it not so?" + +"I think it is." + +"The world moves, Captain Morando, and California must move with it. +Whither do we go?" + +Without waiting for reply she went on: "Public opinion can be so molded +that it will take us to the protection of either the United States of +America or to Great Britain. Great Britain would willingly let +flourish here Spanish ideals. Read the history of her dependencies. +Captain Morando, our obligations to Spain, to this province, to +ourselves, demand that we lead the people to ask the coming of the +British flag." + +"Señora Valentino, many are speaking of these matters. The necessity +for some action is forcing itself. But the United States lies nearest +us. Their government is republican, the same in form as that to which +the people here are accustomed." + +"Ah! Capitan. I have been in the capital of the United States with my +attaché husband. Two years ago what did I hear? It was a question of +Texas coming into their Union. Even the great ones said, 'Let us drive +the Mexicans and Spaniards across the Rio Grande, then to perdition!'" + +Morando did not speak. + +"They would not deal differently with us in California. Let come the +United States and all vestige of Spanish civilization will be +obliterated, and another foreign to it will be installed. Great +Britain would be our protector. Why chance the coming of disaster?" + +"Señora, you have thought wondrously deep." + +"Why not act, and act now? Public sentiment is in pliable condition. +Who knows how long it will so continue? Do your part, Señor Soldier, +in organizing a general desire that our province seek Great Britain's +friendly arm. Spanish chivalry calls to you." + +"You speak strongly." + +"Not more strongly than the occasion demands. The welfare of this +province, the faith of our fathers, the culture of centuries, are at +stake. The United States of America is awake. That mighty nation has +her agents among our people, persuading them, leading them, exhorting +them. Señor Soldier, be up and doing." + +"Señora, come what may, I shall not fail this province." + +He touched the hilt of his sword. + +"The splendid womanhood of California will crown you their knight, my +soldier." + +They arose and walked away. In the doorway they paused. + +"For Castile and this province!" she said. + +"By my sword and glove, señora!" + +She extended her hand. He met it in firm grasp. + +The call for supper had been made, but they had not heard. + +The company was around them. + +"Ah, Captain! Ah, señora! what have we here? a betrothal?" + +Carmelita Mendoza, with her father, was but a pace away. + +"Friends, friends, to the supper room!" called the host. + +The guests obeyed. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +AT THE SUPPER + +"My friends, nature prepares a generous harvest against the months of +winter. Let us enjoy the good things at table in anticipation of our +share of that harvest. Amigos, to our seats!" + +Thus spoke Mendoza to the company assembled in the dining hall. + +This room was a little smaller than the ballroom, and its finish was of +polished oak combined with redwood. The tables ran nearly the length +of the apartment. + +The products of Mendoza's gardens and hothouses had been levied on to +furnish adornment. Cut roses tumbled in profusion from vases arranged +along the middle of the tables, while potted palms cast shadows from +chandeliers and wall-candles. Ivy shaped itself into an archway over +the entrance, crept through the foliage of house shrubs lining the +walls, and intertwined here and there into bowers of ease. Against the +green vine, flowers, rivaling the rainbow in tints, sang in color notes +the jubilation of California's spring. + +The people enjoyed the midnight supper. The cooling air of the +courtyard, the dance, the animated conversation had whetted the +appetites to an edge. + +Finding place not in any particular order, but in the company their +preference sought, as was the way in these large gatherings, the girls, +with their dueñas, and the gallants were mostly at one end of the room, +leaving the graver portion of the assembly by itself. + +Señor Mendoza was at the head of a table. At its foot was his +daughter. Near him was the wisdom of the valley, represented by the +heads of families. Morando wished to seat himself at the señorita's +right hand, but she had already motioned Abelardo Peralta to that +place. On her left was Alfreda Castro. + +The soldier found himself next to young Peralta, and directly opposite +Señora Valentino. + +"I have a budding magnolia by my plate," burst out Lolita Hernandez. +"My partner shall wear it for a button-hole bouquet. He lacks only +that. Come, I'll put it on you." + +The youth by her side was nothing loth. + +"Señorita Doña," spoke her dueña, who was on the other side, "what can +you mean? A nosegay so large emulates the cabbage. Why not use this +Castilian rose? Behold, it blushes for you," laughing. + +"Señora Doña, even a cabbage in Señorita Hernandez's hands would +thereby become beautiful," from the youth. + +"How easily young men's tongues frame compliments!" from the dueña. + +"They have worthy subjects here," from another youth, waving his hand +toward the señoritas. + +The dueña laughed again. "Young people are unmanageable these days," +she concluded. + +"Señor the Capitan Morando did not enjoy the egg-breaking?" inquired +young Peralta. + +"We enjoyed it," laughed Lolita without waiting for Morando's reply. + +"I broke an egg on your hair, señorita. I see the gold and silver +adornment still," rallied Peralta. + +"I broke three on your vest, Señor Peralta. I'm sorry you could not +have preserved the pattern," returned Lolita. + +"But the Señor Capitan and the egg-breaking--was it new to you?" +continued Don Abelardo. + +"It was unexpected to me here, but not new," from Morando. "Spain +observes it on such occasions as this." + +"Ask the Señor Capitan about heart-breaking," laughed the ungovernable +Lolita. "Perhaps he has practiced that too in Spain." + +"Señorita Doña Hernandez!" warningly from her dueña. + +"Well, I am as curious to know about that as was Don Abelardo about +egg-breaking." + +"Practice makes perfect, is that your meaning?" smiled Señora Valentino +at her. + +"Yes--no. I simply asked for information." + +"Is the Señorita Hernandez still heart-whole?" inquired the soldier. +"If she is not, it is not the fault of my sex, I know." + +"Do you speak from the fullness of experience, Señor Capitan?" asked +Señorita Mendoza. Those in hearing laughed gayly at the quip, as did +Morando. Nevertheless, an arctic breath seemed to touch him. + +The elders gave themselves to other subjects--the grain and the +vineyard prospects for the year, the return of their herds from the San +Joaquin, and the like. + +Colonel Barcelo's voice was heard talking over his contest at cribbage +with Moraga. + +The serving peons finished their work and were standing idly by the +door. The guests had eaten their fill. The room rang with merriment. +Many of the señoritas had woven flowers from the tables into wreaths +and were wearing them on the head or around the neck. Lolita Hernandez +wished to crown her partner with roses, but the youth, with mock +humility, demurred. + +"Thrice did even the great Cæsar refuse a crown," he exclaimed. + +"Listen to the lore of the traveler," laughed Peralta. + +The other had just returned from a year at college in Honolulu. "The +fourth offer I might accept," he said. + +Lolita promptly placed the wreath on his head. "I crown you king of +heartbreakers," but looking at Morando. + +"I salute the king," proclaimed the Captain. + +"Whom shall I crown queen of heart-breakers?" Lolita went on. + +"Crown yourself," from her partner. "Señorita, the honor should be +yours." + +"Hush!" in pretended severity. + +"All hearts fall before you," sweeping his arm toward the company. +"Crown yourself; nay, I'll crown you." + +He removed the garland from his own head and attempted to place it on +Lolita's. She resisted. The señoritas and the gallants laughed and +cheered loudly. Finally she took it from his hand and held it aloft. + +"I appeal to the company here present; who is the queen of +heart-breakers? This crown is looking for a wearer." + +"Alfreda Castro! Carmelita Mendoza! Ysobel Soto! Señora Valentino!" +came from the crowd. + +"The Señora Valentino should have it. She has overcome the Captain +Morando. 'Sword and glove' has he surrendered to her. It was at the +door of the supper room. I saw it. Señora Valentino, the wreath is +thine." + +"Señorita Doña Hernandez!" remonstrated her dueña. "Remember the +señora is not a maid as art thou. Have care for thy tongue." + +Lolita started toward Señora Valentino. + +"Come back, Señorita Lolita," from the dueña. + +Lolita partly turned, but Señora Valentino was laughing, in evident +enjoyment of the fun. Reassured, the girl called to the company: + +"Shall it not be the señora?' + +"The Señora Valentino!" they cried. "Our fair guest from Spain! Honor +her! Crown her queen of heart-breakers!" + +The señora smiled sweetly at the joyous throng, as much at home in the +frolic as anyone among them. + +Lolita placed the wreath on the señora's head. "As thy friends +acclaim, so I do. You are pronounced queen of heart-breakers." + +What reply the señora made could not be heard for the applause, but she +kissed first one hand, then the other, to the señoritas and the +caballeros. + +Mendoza was standing by his place at the table. He motioned again and +again for silence before it was obtained. Finally they listened to him. + +"To the ballroom for you youngsters! Come with me." + +"Will you stay with us in the ballroom, señor? We want you," laughed a +girl. + +"I'll start you going in the dance, then return to the table. We +elders like to linger a while over our coffee and burnt brandy. But +come now, children." + +They followed him through the green archway into the ballroom. + +When the señor had left the supper room, taking the younger contingent +with him, the others had moved toward his end of the table. Barcelo +insisted that Moraga should at once accompany him to the card room; +whereupon rather reluctantly Moraga left his old friends. + +Marcel Hernandez arose to his feet. + +"Fellow rancheros, and your ladies," bowing gallantly, "Señor Mendoza, +occupied with the young people, is temporarily absent from the room--he +is quite a boy, is the señor--and I take occasion to say a word to you. +The old government here is worn out, ready to fall to pieces like a +used-up carreta. We, the leaders of the people, must find another +government--find another; yes, and soon. We have talked it over this +evening; in fact, have talked of little else for weeks and months. Let +us take action to-night." + +He sat down deliberately. + +A half dozen men sprang to their feet. All dignity was thrown aside, +and they raised their voices and gesticulated earnestly. + +"It is not yet the time," called one. + +"It is the time, and----" + +Another drowned him out by shouting, "Let us seek adequate protection +from some great nation which will insure us life, liberty, and the +pursuit of happiness." + +"Mexico falls soon before the United States. We shall be declared +contraband of war and suffer the consequences, unless we act quickly +and in the right direction," asserted yet another. + +Don Louis Valencia arose. + +"Friends, you speak wisely. Nothing more need be said. Let us act. I +say, make our province a dependency of Great Britain. That country +will protect us. Señors, now is the time. Great Britain will be our +ally and friend. I repeat, take action--and now!" thumping his fist on +the table. + +Señor Mendoza returned from the ballroom at that moment. He went to +his chair at the table. All became silent. + +They waited for him to speak on the matter which was occupying so much +attention in California. The stillness became intense. + +"Neighbors and friends," Mendoza said at last, "what I heard as I +entered tells me the import of the debate which evidently took place +while I was absent. I hope nothing will come to head at present." + +"It must come to head!" from Hernandez. "Why not take the bull by the +horns?" looking at Higuera. "I mean, why not take initiative here and +now? It is unsafe to wait." + +Valencia seconded Hernandez's words. + +"The wise traveler," counseled Mendoza, "surveys an unknown way rood by +rood. Señor Hernandez and friends, before taking positive action we +should consider the path along which we would find ourselves." + +"It is either the United States or England," argued Valencia. "No +other nation need be considered. Why not declare for one or the other +before another day?" + +"Quite right, neighbor Valencia, quite right!" supported Hernandez. + +"The rest of the province is undecided, as we have been. We now know +our minds. Let us speak them. The others will follow, and the vexed +question is at an end," again from Valencia. + +"But do we know our minds well enough to speak them?" questioned +Mendoza. + +"We do! We do!" replied Valencia. + +"Huzza! Huzza!" shouted Hernandez. + +"Better consider!" cautioned Higuera. + +"Slowness never wins the race," retorted Valencia. + +"The tortoise won the race from the hare," rebutted Higuera. + +The dancing had not held all those who had gone with Señor Mendoza to +the ballroom. The atmosphere around the table of the elders was +surcharged with subtle influence which drew many back. By twos and +threes they came. Señora Valentino and Abelardo Peralta were among +them; Captain Morando also. + +"Prepare to become an English province," now from young Peralta. + +Not a few were of that conviction. "England is just. England allows +her dependencies to flourish in their own way," they declared. + +"Huzza! Huzza!" again shouted Hernandez. "Viva England!" + +Morando arose. + +"I make no preference save this," he said. "We must preserve here +Spanish ideals, Spanish manhood and womanhood." + +"Excellent!" commended the host. "Splendid!" + +"Splendid!" echoed Señora Valentino, clapping her hands. + +The women followed her example. "Yes, yes, Spanish manhood and +womanhood!" they exclaimed. + +The Señorita Carmelita came to her father's chair. + +"Papacito, the time soon comes for El Son. We await you in the +ballroom." + +"At once, little one." + +The elders left the table, and the entire company moved toward the door. + +"For Castilian manhood and womanhood in this province!" Señora +Valentino said to Morando. + +"Sword and glove!" enthusiastically in return. + +Again their palms met in compact. + +For the second time that evening Carmelita saw the fervent hand-clasp. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +CARMELITA DANCES EL SON + +By custom the dance of El Son followed supper. Peons pared wax from +candles and scattered the particles over the ballroom floor. Smooth as +it had been before it must be made more so for the dance El Son. The +Indian men and women worked the wax into the wood until the surface +shone like the beams of a harvest moon. + +"A little more wax by you there, Clotilda--not that side, the other!" +ordered the peon in charge. "Now, be alive with your foot. Use +judgment! Use judgment! Don't wear a hole in the floor. Now, more +wax where your toes were digging!" + +"Already as many candles are in the shavings, Tomaso, as would make a +display for Holy Thursday," remonstrated a peona. + +"What have we here? What have we here?" indignantly from Tomaso. "All +masters, and no servants? Obey my word, and be quick about it! Move +yourselves, every one of you! Make the floor glisten. The more it +shines the more slippery it is. Did you not hear some of the company +clamoring that our doña herself dance El Son to-night?" + +Tomaso was Señor Mendoza's trusty man, an Indian of intelligence and +fidelity. He was captain of the Señor's fighting peons and had been +Carmelita's postilion at the merienda race. Under his rapid orders the +servants made the floor ready. Mendoza, however, was not satisfied +with it. + +"The floor is not yet right for El Son. It needs a dance thereon. +Friends, let us have a waltz!" + +The caballeros sought partners, looking for their lady loves over +grounds, reception rooms, and conservatory. Morando found Carmelita +chatting vivaciously in the midst of a gay party. + +"Will you favor me with this waltz, señorita doña?" + +"It is yours, Captain Morando." + +In a moment they were one of a hundred couples on the floor. The +girl's eyes sparkled and the color rose higher in her cheeks. + +"A wonderful night this has been!" Morando exclaimed to his partner in +the waltz. "What a pity it must end so soon!" + +"You are, then, enjoying the baile? No? It will delight my father, I +know, to hear that." + +"Señorita Doña, may I have a few moments with you when this dance is +over?" + +"Certainly." + +In a little while they were seated in the quiet of a reception room. + +"Señorita Carmelita, I told you earlier in the evening that I love you, +and I asked your love in return. Again I tell you I love you. O, doña +mia! Doña mia! Will you not accept my love?" + +She looked at him and moved away slightly. + +"O, Doña Carmelita, will you not answer me?" + +"The Capitan Morando is insistent." + +"My heart urges me, señorita doña, my heart filled with love for you." + +"The Capitan's love hangs on slender thread." + +"You, doña mia, can make that thread strong." + +"I do not choose thus to occupy myself." + +"O, heart of my heart, accept my love and I will give my whole life to +you." + +"It is quite time for this interview to end. Señor Capitan, will you +escort me back to the company?" + +"Señorita Carmelita, why do you speak in this way? Have I offended +you?" + +"Possibly you have other questions to ask." + +"Only one other question concerns me, señorita mia. Answer me that, I +implore of you. Say that you will accept my love." + +He stood before her. Involuntarily his hand dropped to the hilt of his +sword, as it had done when shortly before he had been speaking to +Señora Valentino. + +The girl arose quickly. "Good evening, Captain Morando," she said and +left the room. + +Undecided, he looked after her. + +A hand was laid on his shoulder. + +"Señor Captain, we meet after El Son in the card room. Come into the +open with us, and we will explain." + +It was Valencia who spoke. + +"Yes, come with us. We have been looking everywhere for you," joined +in Hernandez. + +"I am at your service, señors." + +The music for El Son, low and sobbing, came floating through the +flower-scented air. This dance, of Spanish, or, perhaps, of Moorish +origin, had elaborated itself in the new world, personifying in poetry +of motion the joyous spirit of the province. It belonged to the master +of the house to select the dancer who, if she chose, might add to the +usual figures inventions of her own. Carmelita appeared at the +entrance of the ballroom. Serving maids and Indian messenger boys were +around her in numbers. She dispatched them, one by one, to bring in +all the guests. + +They came from everywhere. The older men were in small groups, talking +earnestly, and often gesticulating vehemently. The young men were +mostly with their sweethearts and the dueñas. With Señora Valentino +were Valencia, Hernandez, Abelardo Peralta, Patricio Martinez, and a +half dozen others, including Morando. + +"We have laid before the Captain our point of view," Hernandez was +saying. "Even the charming Señora Valentino, a stranger here and +altogether free from self-interest, agrees----" + +They passed into the ballroom. + +Señor Mendoza walked up and down the room, pretending to clap his hands +before this señorita, or that, this being the signal by which the +favored one was notified that she was to set foot to the measures. +Laughter and bantering without stint went around. + +"Lolita Hernandez!" + +"Lucinda Higuera!" + +"Tula Laynez!" + +"Juanita Calderon!" + +"Alfreda Castro!" from yet another partisan; and so on. + +"The Señorita Carmelita!" cried a dozen voices as the doña entered. + +"Beautiful! Beautiful!" exclaimed the usually phlegmatic Fulgencio +Higuera. "The señorita Mendoza has stolen the light of stars for her +eyes, and she has robbed the gardens for her cheeks. Let her dance El +Son." + +She bowed in appreciation. + +"I thank you," she said. Then to her father, "Papacito, a word." + +They withdrew. + +"Will you ask me to dance El Son?" + +Wondrously beautiful she was, her dark eyes glowing, the color flaming +in her cheeks. The chivalry of his young manhood lived again as he saw +the resplendent girl. Joy leaped in his heart that this exquisite +creature was his daughter. She stood before him, every element of her +personality pleading. + +"Please, Papacito! I wish it to-night more than anything else." + +They walked back among the people. The company unwittingly seconded +her request. + +"The Señorita Mendoza, the fairest of the fair! Call her, señor! Call +her, the lily of the valley!" + +The old don hesitated. + +Again came the request from all sides, increasing insistent. + +"Papacito, please!" urged the girl in low voice. + +He clapped his hands before her. + +In the midst of loud applause she walked to the middle of the room. + +The music, now dreamy and insinuating, soon took a livelier turn. The +young woman glided back and forth on the waxed floor as lightly as a +swallow skims the air. In willowy movements, hands and feet in perfect +correspondence, she hovered over the cleared space, seeming scarcely to +touch the floor. Then, in wider step, she circled over this space in +eaglelike sweeps, her arms outstretched and her long hair floating. + +Without pausing, the girl's movements became sinuous, gentle. She +advanced, retreated, again came forward, as if entreating, but fearing +rebuff. Rare grace and charm was in every motion. + +"Brava! Brava!" shouted the men, while above all was heard the excited +voice of Morando. + +With arms extended she fluttered from side to side, as a butterfly +sipping honey from flower-cups here and there, staying but an instant +at any one. + +Her hand made gesture to the musicians. + +The strain became bold, quick, martial. + +She spun on her toe-tips, her long dress billowing, her hair streaming. +As she whirled, her feet described winding figures on the floor, her +skirts repeating the design. + +More and more quickly Carmelita circled over the room. + +Louder crashed the music, and more hearty became the plaudits. + +Fulgencio Higuera drew from his pocket a handful of gold pieces, and +flung them at the señorita's feet. Another, another, a dozen others, +followed his example. + +"Brava! Brava!" cried Marcel Hernandez, tossing handfuls of gold to +the ceiling. The pieces fell among the enthusiastic company, who +scarcely noticed the glittering shower. + +Still, the doña sped on her toes, her skirt still marking in ampler +pattern the lines fashioned by her feet. Her very being undulated in +response to the weird music. + +The applause hushed for a moment. + +"C-A-R-M-E-L-I-T-A M-E-N-D-O-Z-A," some one spelled the tracing, letter +by letter. "Carmelita Mendoza." + +The clamor broke out afresh. + +"She has worked her name on the ballroom floor, as part of the dance! +Viva! Viva!" they shouted. "Viva! Viva!" + +The doña again fluttered up and down, arms outstretched. + +The caballeros rushed around the girl shouting and praising her. More +gold was freely scattered, its jingle intermingling with the orchestra. + +"Splendid! Splendid! Is it not so, Señora Valentino?" came from +Captain Morando. Without pausing for reply he hastened to Carmelita, +who was surrounded by numberless congratulating friends. + +"O, doña mia," the Captain cried, "you dance with the grace of an +angel." + +"The most successful rendition of El Son in a decade!" added a dueña. + +"The most perfect ever," again from Morando. + +Señora Valentino came up all smiles. "This ball is the rarest treat of +my visit to California, and your El Son, señorita, is the choice +incident of the evening's pleasure. I thank you for it." + +"You are very good, señora. I am glad that I can help in entertaining +you." + +The music for a mazurka was beginning. The older men disappeared from +the room. Morando, Peralta, Martinez, and a number of others soon +followed, while the rest were again at the dance. + +Colonel Barcelo and Moraga returned to the card room and finished their +nearly completed round of cribbage. + +"A piece of luck, Moraga. Simply a confounded piece of luck. It +happens occasionally." + +"I've won five out of six games from you to-night, Colonel." + +"Chance threw the cards your way. My skill simply went for +nothing--went for nothing!" + +The card room rapidly filled. After a few moments of cursory +conversation there was silence. Each was waiting for another to speak. + +Valencia began. + +"Señors," with much deliberation, "at supper the sense of the majority +of the assemblage was that we take our province from the tutelage of +Mexico to the protection of Great Britain. The question before us is, +How shall we proceed to make this transfer? Let us hear from you." + +Hernandez arose. + +"Send a delegation to the English representative in Monterey, and tell +him of our desires. A British fleet is near. Let it take possession +of the province. Then, if Mexico objects, she will have Great Britain +to deal with." + +Most of the men nodded affirmatively. + +Hernandez took his seat with a satisfied air. + +"Friends," said Mendoza, "I am not of the mind that it is wise to take +action in this matter to-night. Too great haste in acting is like a +too hot fire in cooking." + +Higuera, Zelaya, and a few others signified they were in agreement with +this. + +"My friends, action is the word!" cried Hernandez. "Positive action! +Prompt action! Mexico stands at our gates collecting taxes, giving +nothing in return, like the robbers at Tarifa. Drop Mexico, I say, and +join hands with England, at once!" + +"As English subjects a mighty future is ours. Let us not wait," from +Abelardo Peralta. + +"The young men will have opportunities then," followed Miguel Soto. +"An English prime minister ruled his political world when he was +twenty-one." + +"Why not find from the United States, and from Great Britain as well, +the conditions under which they will receive our province? We can then +act more intelligently." + +"No, no!" chorused many. "England! England! Become English subjects +at once." + +Hernandez jumped to his feet. "Become British subjects at once!" +waving his hand. + +Others, and yet others, followed his example, till the place fairly +rang with the shouting. + +Mendoza rapped on a table. After quiet was restored he began: "Señors, +we have in Baja California men like Carillo and the brothers Pico. +Unless we allow them a part in our deliberations they will repudiate +any action we may take. England does not want a province with divided +sentiment. Carillo and the brothers Pico are capable of inciting +Southern California to rebellion, if we attempt to turn over the +province to England without consulting them." + +"Good friends, no embarrassment need be feared from Carillo, nor from +the brothers Pico." With these words Señora Valentino floated into the +room, her upturned face wreathed in smiles. + +The company, surprised at the sound of her voice, turned questioningly. + +"I think Carillo, likewise the brothers Pico, can be relied on to +espouse your wish to transfer allegiance to England." + +Mendoza spoke: "Respected lady, these absent gentlemen must be given a +chance to speak for themselves. Giving away provinces is more than +child's play. We cannot hazard guesses." + +"My ever-wise Administrator, you are right. It occurs to me that these +same brothers Pico and Señor Carillo have in some slight manner +expressed themselves as favorable to this English protectorate which we +all are so anxious to bring about." + +"But, good señora, mere hearsay must not be accepted." + +"Again, right as ever, most worthy Administrator. But, to recollect +further--I believe I have in my possession a letter from these +señors--possibly, two or three letters--as I recall the matter more +closely. These same letters, if I mistake not, declare quite plainly +as to the sentiments of the writers." + +"But, Señora Valentino, there must be no possibility of mistake in such +an issue as this." + +With childlike simplicity she looked into the face of Mendoza. + +"I remember fully now. These Southerners express unequivocally their +desire to make California a British province. They assure us they will +spare no pains to bring about this consummation." + +"But, señora, pardon: would I presume should I ask further +enlightenment?" + +Again she smiled. "Señor, your Excellency, you do not presume. These +communications from Señors Carillo and the Pico brothers were merely +little private scribbles, from one sojourner to another, so to speak, +and in which there happened to be mention of the political unrest now +occupying the minds of the sterner sex." Her smile broadened. + +Colonel Barcelo had been looking through the cards of the last hand at +cribbage, hoping to come across errors in his opponent's play. He +found none. "This question should have been settled long ago," he +said, testily. "Let the British admiral bring his fleet into Monterey +Harbor. Down comes the Mexican flag and up goes the Union Jack. +Mexico cannot resist, having no ships. I wonder I did not think of +having this done before." + +He took his seat, and again looked through the cards. + +Renewed enthusiasm now possessed the company. They applauded and +shouted; and cheered Señora Valentino and Colonel Barcelo. When quiet +came a committee was chosen to acquaint the English representative at +Monterey of California's wish. + +"Come, Moraga," challenged Colonel Barcelo, "let us play again." + +"Colonel, you would pass a province from hand to hand as unconcernedly +as you do these pasteboards," uttered Moraga, taking his place at the +card table. + +"Certainly! Certainly! This change has really been in my mind some +time. Just crept in, so I hardly noticed it." + +The Colonel and the land baron were soon engrossed with the game. The +other guests sauntered away. + +A few moments later Carmelita chanced to see Tomaso, captain of her +father's fighting peons, riding away on Mercurio, the wheel horse in +the merienda race. Following, on a reata, was the big bay leader of +the Mendoza team. The Indian had stripped to the waist, and wore only +the leathern knee breeches of the peon jockey. A handkerchief was tied +tightly around the head to keep in place his long hair. Neither horse +was saddled, having only a surcingle about its body. + +The rattle of hoofs on the hard road sounded loud in the night, then +died out. + +The girl knew that Tomaso was bent on some errand of great interest to +her father. The two swift horses, prepared as they were, meant that +the Indian would, if necessary, ride one to exhaustion, then use the +other to complete his journey. + +The night waned. Noises of early morning began to echo in the hills. +The dance and merriment went on. Faint tracings of dawn came across +the eastern horizon. The Mendoza ball was drawing to its close. Light +came on wings of morning. + +Peons brought carreta and horse. Señor Mendoza and his daughter stood +at the courtyard gate to wish Godspeed to the departing guests. +"Adios, Señor Mendoza! Adios, Señorita Mendoza!" was heard on every +side. + +Father and daughter watched neighbor and friend go their way. + +Rapidly galloping horses were approaching from the direction of the +eastern hills. Two horsemen were soon at the gate. One was Tomaso +astride the big bay leader trembling from the ride. The other was +O'Donnell on his stallion. + +"Buenos días, Señor O'Donnell," greeted Mendoza. + +O'Donnell returned, "Good morning," adding with rising reflection, +"Well?" + +"The Señor O'Donnell and I have pressing business, my daughter. Please +excuse us, carita mia." + +The señorita bowed. + +The men went into Mendoza's private office. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +RETURNING FROM THE BALL + +"My Captain, it has been a goodly night, one long to be remembered." + +Señora Valentino and Captain Morando were riding along the rolling +highway which led southerly from the Mission San José. A large portion +of the company that had attended the ball traveled this same road, the +men on their mounts, the women-folks mostly in carretas, though two or +three, like Señora Valentino, preferred horseback. + +"Our Mendoza is a lavish host. He does nothing by halves, like the +worthy Californian that he is." + +"Ah! yes. A wonderful man! A wonderful man!" + +The señora reined in her horse. A rabbit, pursued by a hawk, was +running toward them from the underbrush at the side. Double and dodge +as it might, the little beast could not rid itself of its persecutor. +Finally it lay, a little crumpled heap, not far from the señorita's +horse, squealing for mercy. It found none, for the bird of prey drove +its talons into the fur and started to carry away its victim. + +The señora swung her horse in wide curve and struck the hawk with her +riding-whip. It dropped the rabbit and flew fiercely at her. She +struck it again, this time with the butt of the whip. It circled away, +but returned to the attack and was hovering over the lady when Morando +killed it with a pistol shot. + +It was the occurrence of a moment; but the angry challenge of the hawk +and the report of the firearm called the attention of the horseback +riders as well as the dozing occupants of the carretas. Men shouted +and women screamed. The peon riflemen came hurrying up, ready for +battle. + +"Señora, are you hurt?" solicitously inquired Morando. + +"Nothing much. A little scratch." + +"Let us dismount. You are pale. Let me assist you." + +She gave him her uninjured hand and loosed her feet from the stirrup. +Twilight fell across her eyes, resolving into huge, unsteady clouds +swimming around and around her with increasing velocity. In dead faint +she sank into Morando's arms. + +The Captain removed the señora's long riding-glove, and found her wrist +profusely bleeding from a small, but deep, perforation. The hawk had +driven its talon in, full length. + +"Come, amigos," Morando cried, "prepare a temporary couch for Señora +Valentino by the roadside." + +A dozen ponchos fell from caballeros' shoulders, and the women +improvised a comfortable bed from them on the thickly interwoven green +grass, the soldier holding the insensible woman in his arms the while. +He laid her, still fainting, on the bed, softly odorous of the growing +things about. + +In tiny pulsings the blood flowed, reddening her light-colored +riding-habit, and spattering the costly fabric of the ponchos. + +The Captain bound his handkerchief tightly around her arm midway +between wrist and elbow. The bleeding ceased. + +"Señors, who among you has a flask of aguardiente?" + +Several were offered. + +"Will one of the ladies bathe her face and forehead with the liquor?" + +Señora Higuera did the service. + +Morando was tightly bandaging the injured member with strips torn from +handkerchiefs when the patient opened her eyes. + +"My arm feels asleep, Don Alfredo," she murmured. "Where am I?" + +"With your friends, and safe," replied Morando. + +Color gradually came into her face and lips. Her breath no longer +fluttered. + +"O, the poor little fellow so wanted to save his life that I couldn't +see him lose it," she murmured. "The hawk passed blow for blow with +me. His talon pricked through my glove." + +Word of the mishap had gone to Señor and Señora Barcelo, who were +riding in the vanguard of the procession. The complaining of the +Barcelo carreta mingled with the puffing of the Colonel's horse as the +two raced back. + +"O, Silvia! Silvia! What dreadful thing has happened?" wailed Señora +Barcelo. + +"What has happened is over, sister mine. Thanks to our friends here, +and Captain Morando in particular, I am nothing the worse." + +"Doubtless! Doubtless! How clumsy your arm looks tied up that way! +Well, a peon reported you stricken down by an attacking eagle. How +about it?" inquired Barcelo. + +Señora Valentino quickly detailed the story. + +"Humph! A pretty state of affairs! Come, shall we be going? Matters +of great importance wait my arrival at the capitol." + +"There is no reason to wait. I am able to travel. Amigos, adelante!" +playfully waving her hand toward the south. + +Riders and carretas set out, Señora Valentino moving slowly, the +soldier by her side. The Colonel, making sure all was well with his +sister-in-law, insisted on traveling at full speed. His wife's carreta +plunged and squeaked and rolled after him. + +"My dear," called Señora Higuera, in a little while, "you are growing +pale again. Stay with us at Aguas Calientes until you feel stronger. +We'll send a peon messenger on a swift horse, to reach your sister with +explanations. Come, Señora Valentino, we are at the turn of the road." + +"I fear, señora, your arm is swelling. It will be better to dismount +at the Higuera hacienda house and have the wound carefully bathed in +warm water," counseled Morando. + +The house of the Higueras was but a few hundred paces from the road, +but Señora Valentino was able to negotiate the distance only with +greatest difficulty. + +The señora's wrist had swelled considerably. Morando removed a small +portion of the riding-glove driven in by the bird's claw. Good wife +Higuera bathed the wound in warm water, after which a soothing lotion +of herbs diminished the pain greatly. + +"Come," said Señora Valentino, rising from the couch whither Morando +had carried her, "it is time for me to be going." + +"Impossible, my lady," remonstrated Higuera. "My house and all in it +are at your disposal. Rest to-day. Last night was a gay one, but a +merry night means a weary morning. To-morrow, or the day after, you +can continue your way. A proper guard will attend you. Besides, your +arm may require further treatment. We have an Indian woman on the +hacienda who is only less skillful than the Captain," bowing to Morando. + +"Thank you, amigos. My sister rests at the Calderon hacienda, near San +José pueblo. I can easily reach there in an hour. The scratch on my +arm is nothing. I am ashamed of having shown weakness over it. +Misericordia! am I sugar that I melt if a cupful of water reaches me?" + +Despite all protestations she insisted on starting forth. + +"Take a carreta, my dear heart," urged Señora Higuera. "Come, we'll +fill the body of the vehicle with blankets and have all as soft as down +for you. What differs an hour more or less in the journey if you can +be more comfortable? Let me make ready for you." + +The señora would not listen to it. She mounted her horse gracefully, +despite her bandaged arm, waved adios to the Higueras, and set out +toward San José attended by Captain Morando. + +"Be sure to stop if you feel weak," called Señora Higuera. "A peon +will make his house yours, as well will any ranchero." + +"Never fear, good friends; I have strength and to spare for the +journey." + +The rest of the merrymakers were well ahead. The señora and the +Captain rode alone over a virgin meadow. Mountain and valley smiled. +The sun, giving promise of a perfect day, crystallized his light in +myriad dewdrops hanging on flower petal and grass leaf. The morning +breeze carried the sweet voices of the hill blooms as they sang in +fragrance. Mingled with it was the pungent tang of wild mustard +bursting into gold. Great stretches of wild oats eddied and billowed +away, an emerald sea meeting the outposts of the coast range; or, +dropping across the valley, lost itself in the misty, opalescent sky +line. High aloft the lark was warbling his joy of living. The +blackbird in the meadows trilled love songs to his mate. + +The man and woman turned their horses and looked along the way they had +come. The San Francisco Bay reached in silvery arc to the horizon. +The great white buildings of the Mendoza hacienda, stippled with the +gray of peon dwellings, rested against the hills. Stray cattle and +horses made their way body-deep in the luxuriant grass-growth, while +the mountains echoed the bleating of the Mission's sheep. It was a +picture of pastoral California, rich and splendid. + +The lady showed no trace of her accident of an hour before. Color was +in her face and animation in her tones as she said: "Captain Morando, +let us look our fill on this scene. The future will see a panorama +here less wild, less beautiful, perhaps, but of greater usefulness." +She turned her horse again southward. + +Morando rode by her side, not speaking for several moments. Finally: +"Señora, you have deep interest in these Californias." + +"You have said it, señor Captain. I have, indeed, a deep interest in +the province." As he said nothing she continued: "I have a kindred +interest in the 'province of hearts' here also--to quote our host." + +He laughed. + +"Really, Captain, it would not surprise me if Señor Mendoza's ball +brought about half a dozen weddings. The setting for love-making was +exquisite. It might have been fashioned after some fairy scene, so +delicately were light and color blended, with that delicious music of +the natives permeating it all. Madrid would have gone wild over it! +Even the most watchful mamma and dueña felt the spell and laughed and +looked away while some fair one allowed the brave Don Juan to hold her +hand and murmur nothings to her. Why, even señoritas and young sparks +betrothed in childhood by their parents yielded to the passion divine, +as if their love was at first sight." She laughed gently. + +"Was it so? I am too little acquainted with the families of Alta +California to know of the young men and women so engaged." + +The señora's laugh was now merry, as she replied: "I sit much with the +old wives and know all the gossip. I can tell you all about it. There +are Patricio Martinez and Alfredo Castro. Their families intermarried +in Spain before the new world was thought of, continued in +intermarriage in Mexico, and will not desist in California. Then, +there are Lucinda Higuera and Aviel Soto; Lolita Hernandez and young +Julius Belden--part gringo he is, as they term it here--and--and--yes, +Tula Rosa and Pancho Laynez." + +"I suppose there is the history of a family tree connected with each of +these betrothals!" + +"There surely is. I actually ache down to the tips of my fingers," +holding up her injured hand, "trying to remember it all. But come," +checking her horse sharply, in sudden remembrance, "there was one +account most interesting, or, rather, more interesting, even, than +others. Who was it that told me? I think, Señora Valdez, or, perhaps, +Señora Sanchez. No, it must have been the very aged Señora Hernandez, +Don Marcel's mother." + +"My interest is aroused almost beyond bounds," he laughed. + +She returned the laugh. "Well, whoever it was that told me, I remember +the story. It relates to our host of last night, Señor Mendoza, and +Señor Peralta, father of that splendid young cavalier, Don Abelardo." + +The soldier's interest was now aroused in earnest. + +"The friendship of Mendoza and of the Señor Peralta, so the story goes, +had beginning in old times. Both were soldiers, daring and efficient, +and a common cause, that of freeing Spain from French dominance, led to +mutual liking. They campaigned together for years. + +"A few hours' journey from Madrid, near Talavera city, is a long bluff +which Colonel Mendoza held, with English troops, against the fury of +Joseph Bonaparte's veterans. It was the pivotal center of the Iron +Duke's position--of course, this Iron Duke was just Sir Arthur +Wellesley then. This much is history." + +"I have read of Señor Mendoza's notable part in that great battle." + +"Well, in the charge, the second day, when the French line was +breaking, Mendoza's horse was shot and it fell, pinning him beneath. +Peralta saved him from death at the hands of a Toulousan lancer. The +Colonel mounted another horse, nothing the worse for his experience. +Twice before nightfall did he again owe his life to his friend Peralta. +This, according to my informant." + +Morando said nothing. The lady continued: + +"Administrator Mendoza was instrumental in having a grant of land made +to Señor Peralta, who came here to occupy it. He married and had a +son, Abelardo. Later, the Administrator married, and his daughter +Carmelita came to bless his home." + +Morando was looking intently at the speaker. + +"One night the renegades from the eastern valleys drove away many +horses and cattle after maltreating the attending peons. Mendoza and +Peralta, with their fighting Indians, pursued the fleeing miscreants. +An arrow pierced Peralta's body, and he would have fallen to the ground +had not Mendoza caught him. Under the protection of a branching oak, +on the primeval hillside, the end came. The dying man's head lay on +Mendoza's lap, their hands clasped together, while the sturdy Mendoza +was weeping. Peralta spoke faintly: + +"'The soldier dies from a savage's arrow, after years of service on the +field. Well, mio amigo, be a friend to my wife and boy.' + +"'You have my word of honor,' replied Mendoza. + +"Peralta continued: 'And--and--yes. My senses are leaving me. I must +speak quickly. Let our lifetime of friendship live after us, in the +union of our children when they are grown.' + +"There, in the shade of nature, the greater shadow of death hovering +near, was the betrothal agreement made. The Indian riflemen stood +around, sombreros in hand, their weapons lying on the turf, to do +homage to death, the final conqueror. Señor Mendoza still held in his +arms the clay of his friend, still his tears were falling. 'The +Peralta and Mendoza friendship shall live on in our children,' he said +in broken voice. 'The living and the dead make this consecration.'" + +Morando's horse reared to perpendicular line. Unconsciously the +Captain had gripped him with the spurs. The animal sprang from the +beaten road through dense masses of underbrush, to the grassy field +beyond. It required several minutes before Morando could bring the +creature back to the señora's side. It still champed the bit, while +its eyes flashed from the sting of the insult. + +"Your horse is restive, señor soldier. Perhaps we have loitered along +the way. Come, we can reach the Calderon home before the sun is warm." + +They cantered in silence for a while. + +"Let us go slowly for a few minutes," she said. "I find I am not so +strong as I thought." + +Paleness was again creeping into her face. + +Morando quickly led her horse by the bridle to the door of a peon's cot +near the wayside, and assisted her to dismount. The Indian wife came +curtsying out, full of welcome. + +"My house is yours," she insisted, bowing again and again. "Your visit +will be long remembered. I am sorry my man is away and cannot help to +receive you." + +"Some warm water in a basin," said the soldier. "The señora has had an +accident to her arm and it needs attention." + +Morando unbandaged the arm, bathed it in tepid water, and rebandaged it +more loosely. + +The house was a one-room building, made of adobe, whitewashed outside +and inside, with a red tile roof. The floor was earthen. A half dozen +children tumbled about. The Indian woman sat on a rude settee and +looked interestedly at the two occupying a similar piece of furniture. + +"My man is absent in San Joaquin," she said. "He is a vaquero for +Señor Higuera. We expect the cattle soon to return, and again I will +have my husband." + +The señora was charmed with the naïveté of the native. + +"I'm sure you will be happy then," she said. Color had returned to her +cheeks and brightness to her eyes. + +"Great people need never be separated," the peona went on. "Now," +speaking directly to Señora Valentino, "you had your husband with you +when sickness met you, and he drove it away. For me, two, three, +moons," counting on her fingers, "I have fought it alone for myself and +my pocos niños," pointing to her brood. + +The señora smiled. "This señor is not my husband." + +The woman looked intently at them. "The spirits of the future speak +little here since Padre Lusciano came. He drives them away with the +breath of his mouth. Dared they speak--dared they speak"--she laughed +quizzically--"they would say--they would say----" + +She broke off and motioned to the third finger of the señora's left +hand, and simulated placing a ring thereon. She turned to Morando and +laughed again. + +The señora arose to her feet. "Come, Capitan, let us thank the peona +for her kindness and for her suggestion of prophecy, and go on our +journey. I trust my strength will not fail again." + +Morando offered money to the woman, but she would not accept it. + +"The gold is for the ring," she replied with another queer laugh. "Why +should I withhold kindnesses?" she asked. "God gives them to me. I +should not keep them selfishly." + +They thanked her for her good offices and went their way. + +Señora Valentino was her buoyant self once more, while Morando, though +all courtesy and attention, seemed in a quiet mood. + +"Come, soldier mine," she suggested, "let us rejoice with the landscape +and sing with the spring." She waited, then laughed gayly. "Perhaps +the spirits of the future gave you an unhappy horoscope." Again she +gave way to merriment. + +His answering laugh had a forced note, as he said: "What a pity the +spirits are no longer free to speak without hindrance! In so far, my +lady, as the peona spoke for them their message flattered me." He +doffed his cap sweepingly. + +"Gallant soldier! But I was speaking a while ago of this province of +California. Do you realize, Captain, that here is a country exceeding +Spain in area and equaling her soil in fertility?" + +"I do realize it, indeed, señora. What we see here," indicating the +waving valley, "and even after a winter of drought, is a demonstration +of most wonderful fertility." + +"Under the English flag all old customs will flourish here; the +civilization developed will be along Spanish lines. Colonists will +come in numbers and a mighty principality will grow--still it will be, +in essentials, Spanish. A viceroy will be in power, combining the +office of a general with that of governor. These vast haciendas will +be fruitful farms supporting more hundreds than they do individuals +now." + +"What you say, señora, is not impossible." + +"What power, what patronage, what opportunity would belong to such a +viceroy! It would be well-nigh that of a king." + +Her companion made no response. + +"My good soldier, of all the men in California who do you think would +be chosen to this high office of civil and military leader?" + +"Señor Mendoza I believe to be the ablest man in the province. After +him, I would say, comes Carillo, in the South." + +She smiled into his face. + +"The first governor under English rule here will be chosen on +recommendation of three people. I am one of those three." + +"What can you mean, Señora Valentino?" asked the amazed man. + +"I mean this. It is my belief that English governing will be the one +most acceptable to the Californians. I have become Great Britain's +special representative, and I am laboring to bring about a judicious +consummation." + +The soldier looked wonderingly at her. "Your words, señora, while +surprising me, explain many things." + +She went on: "When the British admiral opens in Monterey harbor his +sealed advices, he will find a paper appointing as commander of the +army and head of this province the man on whom the English consul, +Captain Farquharson, and your humble servant have agreed as the right +one for that office." + +She paused in her remarks, as if expecting him to speak. He did not. +She went on: "We have already made our choice." She spoke +dispassionately. "Now, who do you think it is?" + +"I can still form no idea, unless it be, indeed, Mendoza, or +Carillo--or, possibly, one of the Picos." + +"It is none other than Capitan Alfredo Morando." + +He checked his horse. + +She swung her mount to meet him. Neither spoke for several moments. + +He bared his head. "Señora Valentino, words fail me to express my +gratitude for your high opinion of me. I thank you most cordially and +most humbly." + +They rode on in silence. + +At last they neared the Calderon hacienda house. + +"Before long we salute you as 'Your Excellency.'" + +"No, señora. As greatly as I prize the honor paid me by you and the +other two I shall leave California forever, as soon as I can do so in +fairness to my work." + +The Calderons were hastening out to meet them. The anxious friends +surrounded the señora. Inquiring and welcoming, they bore her away. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +O'DONNELL TAKES A HORSEBACK RIDE + +"Good pluck has that Indian lad of yours, Señor Mendoza. He faced the +muzzles of the guns this morning without batting an eye." + +Mendoza and O'Donnell were in the Administrator's office. Mendoza's +eye was alert, his eagle face keen. The poncho thrown carelessly over +his shoulders, his mustachios and imperial made him look the Old World +soldier leader. + +"My messenger evidently caught you before you broke camp." Mendoza +spoke in English, as had the other. + +"By my faith! he burst into camp on that sorrel like a meteor. I had +'Adelante!' half out of my mouth when he spurred on us. A dozen +pistols were aimed at him, and why my fellows didn't shoot I don't see, +except that they were afraid of hitting the horse. A native more or +less wouldn't count, but these scoundrels know rare horseflesh night or +day. Perhaps they'd peeked through the bars of your corrals, señor, +when the peon riflemen weren't looking." + +The frontiersman laughed. He lay back in his chair, crossing his legs, +and waited for the other to speak. His beard and hair were free from +the cords and were flowing over his breast and shoulders. The bearskin +leggings seemed more shaggy than ever. + +"Those men will be your companions for a thousand miles?" + +"I can expect no other, Señor Mendoza. Besides, they serve me well." + +"Señor O'Donnell, you represent great interests in California." + +"On another occasion I showed you documents which assert that." + +"Very true. Now, at a critical time you lose yourself in the +wilderness, with no guard save a company of cutthroats who would take a +man's life for a handful of pesos." + +"Ah, Mendoza, what you say is so. This is a critical time and my men +would hardly ornament a Sunday school. But I shall meet a +representative of the United States somewhere to the east of here, a +thousand miles more or less, receive instructions from Washington, and +send back my reports. I go through safely; another might not; so I am +my own messenger. In the passing of three new moons, as the Indian +counts, I shall again be in the Valley of Santa Clara." + +The big man laughed again. + +"You go through safely, you say. Are you sure?" + +"Absolutely. My dare-devils respect the man who is not afraid of them. +Besides, I travel a country the chiefs of which are sworn Indian +brothers to me." + +"And you trust them--these wild Indians of the mountains?" + +"Again I say, absolutely." + +"I hope your faith is not misplaced." + +"It is not. Mendoza, I have been for ten years among these fierce +tribes. From them I learned the moods of the desert and the paths that +conquer the mountains. Their tents were mine, and they shared their +food with me. I came to know the Indian heart, and was willing to +become blood brother with their chiefs. Yes, I trust them absolutely." + +"Blood brother?" + +"It is a covenant of friendship. I am as sure it will not be broken as +I am that Kit Carson will keep word and meet me beyond the high +mountains a month hence." + +"But this covenant of friendship--this becoming a blood brother--how +did you manage it?" + +"By transfusion of blood from their veins to mine. The medicine men +are surgeons--of a kind; the arm veins supply the blood." + +Mendoza looked closely at the frontiersman. "You are, then, an Indian +leader." + +"I have the long hair of a chief, as you see. I allow my beard to +grow, also, which the natives cannot do, to show I am a chief of +chiefs." + +"A chief of chiefs! What of Yoscolo? Is he included in this unique +brotherhood?" + +"No; decidedly no. Yoscolo disdains Indian virtues, replacing them by +white men's wickedness." + +"Will you be safe from him on this journey?" + +"My friends would harry him out of the Sierras, and down to these +valleys where he would meet destruction at the hands of your riflemen." + +"Very good, friend O'Donnell. But I am keeping you too long. I will +come to the point now. I detained you from an early start on that long +road of yours for an important matter. The English have been very +active in creating a sentiment here favorable to annexing our province +to Great Britain." + +"There are many signs of their activity; but others have been active +too." + +"It is time your government should survey roads between California and +your westernmost outpost." + +The large man sprang to his feet. "Capital, Mendoza! Capital, sir! +It's good to hear you say that. I didn't expect it so soon. Will you +put it down in writing, and sign your name to it?" + +"Assuredly. I will also do my part toward welcoming settlers from your +republic when the roads are built." + +"Famous! Famous! That is exactly what I wanted you to say every time +we've met. It's worth the hindrance in my journey to hear news like +that." Then, suddenly, "Something special has happened to bring you to +this conclusion. What is it? I've been debating for weeks with you, +and with no apparent result." + +O'Donnell seated himself. A peon had come in response to a signal from +Mendoza. + +"Aguardiente and cigarros," the master ordered. + +"I can talk better when smoking," offering the other a light. + +"Very well, I listen better." + +They smoked for a little while without speaking. + +"You know, personally, Farquharson, England's special representative +here, if I remember rightly," Mendoza breaking the silence, his eyes +intently studying his guest. + +"I have not seen him for many years, but I once knew him well enough. +He has been as busy as a bee for several months." + +"Very true; but the other British agent, Señora Valentino, is still +more active--of course you know all about it. By the way, was Yoscolo +alone in the abduction of Farquharson a day or two ago in Monterey? +Can you tell me? You know he was abducted, of course." + +O'Donnell gave a roar of laughter, and smoked vigorously. + +"It seems to me I did hear something of it. In fact, for a while +everybody was inquiring for this lost Englishman. I ran into his +servant who was ranging Monterey and shouting for his 'Cap'n.' I +believe he found him too." + +"It seemed to me that it was a little beyond even Yoscolo's talents to +play such a game in Monterey city unless some white man had encouraged +him." + +The big man was greatly amused. "To tell the truth, Señor Mendoza, it +was I who was in a measure back of that game." + +"I thought as much." + +"You see Farquharson came across the Indian several months ago, and +played for his good offices. Not a bad idea, for a power of renegades +followed him. All of Yoscolo's Indians were to declare for English +sovereignty--much they know what it is. Yoscolo wanted money--the +clever rascal. He made the capture as near Farquharson's banker as +possible--a suggestion of mine. I figured that Farquharson deserved to +lose his money for his attempt at bribery. But the Englishman slipped +the toils. I heard Yoscolo nearly had a fit when the news reached him." + +"You do not like Farquharson personally?" + +A gust of anger came over O'Donnell's face. "No! No! The Englishman +is my enemy for something that occurred years ago in old Ireland." + +"I too knew Farquharson many, many years ago. I have not seen him in +late times. I blamed him once for an act that reflected on his +judgment. Later he greatly distinguished himself at Waterloo. I am +surprised that he would stoop to bribery. In fact, the manner of +procedure of the English agents here has not disposed me to their +cause." + +"So much the worse for England, and so much the better for the United +States," O'Donnell commented. + +"Good friend O'Donnell, I favor the United States in the present matter +because they reach two thirds across the continent to us already; +because their government appeals to me; and, last but not least, +because their agent, Señor O'Donnell, is not attempting to rush our +people like sheep into the American fold." + +"Three cheers for you, Señor Mendoza! Speak these words from the +housetops. Your patriotism will soon equal my own. The Irish and the +Spanish are always of one heart anyway." + +"Some time ago I told you that if I played in this political game, I'd +use the trump that meant the most to the province of California. I am +far from forwarding my own interest in thus doing." He went to a +secretary and took therefrom a bulky envelope. Opening it he handed to +O'Donnell several papers, one of which read: + +"On recommendation of the Duke of Wellington, Jesus Maria y José +Mendoza, of Mission San José, California, is tendered the office of +major-general in the army of Great Britain," and mentioning in highest +encomium Mendoza's masterful service from Talavera to the fall of +Toulouse which crushed Napoleon, and sent him to Elba. The document +was signed and sealed by high officials of the kingdom. + +The other papers were personal letters from Wellington, the dates of +which ran through many years, urging Mendoza to accept promotion and +offering to advance him in every way should he come to England. + +O'Donnell scanned the Administrator critically. "Yet you remained with +this province?" + +"Yes. I cast my lot with California, and with her I shall live. An +English protectorate would, without doubt, be more to my own personal +advantage; however, I favor American rule here." + +"But, Señor Mendoza, how about your neighbors, north and south?" All +at once the Irishman sat erect, suddenly realizing the full meaning of +the words he had read. "A major-general in the British army!" He +looked admiringly at Mendoza. "At my best I was but a +grenadier-sergeant." + +"Friend O'Donnell, my neighbors, north and south, are playing 'Follow +the leader' in no small way. Señora Valentino, sister-in-law of our +acting-governor, Barcelo, is the leader. She has cleverly brought them +to the mountain top, and down the side they must go, by their own +impetus--unless, O'Donnell, we hold them back." + +"I know of this señora. Young Peralta raves over her. Carillo sings +of her cleverness and beauty. The ladies vow she is a breath of old +Madrid come to enliven the air of far-away provincial California." + +"The señora is a very clever and a very beautiful woman," added +Mendoza. "In Mexico I heard that she was coming here. She is famous +on three continents as a most successful diplomatist. I can well +believe she deserves the reputation." + +"I'm sure of it--more than sure of it." + +"Last night in my house my friends declared for the English flag. I +advised consideration. She adroitly opposed. Her wishes carried. An +attempt will be made to have the English government take possession at +once. We must forestall them, O'Donnell." + +"By my faith! By my faith! we must!" + +"I love California too much to see her tossed precipitously into any +hands, be it English or American." + +The Irishman stormed back and forth over the floor. + +Mendoza continued: "I have a plan, but the carrying it out would delay +for some time your journey across the mountains." + +"Carson awaits my coming, if I delay a month. What is your plan?" + +"To find just where the American fleet is; catch the attention of your +commodore; then call him for consultation with some of us here who have +not been swept off our feet by the clever Señora Valentino." + +"Three days ago the fleet stood into the scimitar-shaped bay west of +here, Commodore Billings in command. He had sighted the British fleet +off Callao, Peru, and scudded ahead of them." + +"Bueno! Bueno!" + +"I'll get in touch with Billings as soon as I can." + +"Let him run his ships till he can anchor off some spot nearest San +José Mission." + +"The sooner I see the Commodore the better. Will you send a messenger +to my camp telling my braves to wait there till further orders?" + +"To be sure." + +"Well, now to the saddle. I set out on horseback to overtake an +ocean-going fleet. Ha! ha! ha!" the Irishman's wit coming to the fore. + +"At least not till after breakfast." + +"I've breakfasted already; thank you, señor. Adios!" + +"Wait a minute. Tell me, have you been instrumental in keeping Yoscolo +from molesting our herds and our servants in the San Joaquin? It must +be some unusual influence, that has held him quiet this long." + +"I've threatened him with a trouncing from the strong tribes in the +interior if he continues his deviltries. He met our chiefs in a great +powwow in the Sierras and spoke of peace to them, in the voice of a +cooing dove. They do not trust him; neither do I. I'll deliver the +thrashing if he breaks his word." + +"I greatly regret, Señor O'Donnell, that our California valleys did not +know you years ago." + +"The regret is mutual." + +They passed out to the courtyard gate. + +The house guests were returning from cool dips in the swimming ponds, +according to custom; then breakfast; then rest. + +"Who is the stranger with our host?" one dueña asked of another. + +"Doubtless some trader in tallow." + +"Even the early morning after the baile leaves not the señor free from +their intrusion." + +The men parted. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SEÑORA VALENTINO MAKES A REPORT + +"Cap', if I do admit it, I never saw such a place as this for growin' +things. Look at that grass. The finest hay in America could be cut +there in way less than a month. Good oat, too, every spear of it. +Reckon 'twill pretty much go to waste. Durn shame it is. Wish I had a +hundred of them acres back in old Missouri. Whew!" + +Early in the morning Brown and his employer had ridden down the hills +skirting the eastern rim of Santa Clara valley, and were laboriously +making their way through the luxuriant growths of that fertile section. + +"I am not sure these acres will not be as valuable one day where they +are as they would be in your native section," returned Farquharson. + +"Put in your wheat, rye or barley here," continued Brown; "raise your +crop. Then where be ye? Nobody round to buy you up and pay you money. +We're too durn fur away here, Cap', for the country to be more'n bird +ranges--yes, bird ranges, where the blessed little fellers can warble +and chatter from daylight to their bedtime." + +"Brown, what would you think if I predict that in a short time +colonists will come here, men understanding farming and tree culture, +to make this Western country their home?" + +Brown shook his head. "If they double our tracks, Cap' from Santa Fé +here, they'll need their fairy boots. Mighty rough trail we followed, +and it's no smoother yet, I reckon. Besides, there's a sight of +country between Santa Fé and civilization east of there which must be +traveled some way. No, Cap', white men will shy this land for many a +day, to my thinking. Durn sorry, too. Wish it wasn't so blame far +from everywhere." + +"But men can come here by water," suggested Farquharson. + +"That depends where they start from. Quite a journey to here by water +from Saint Louis, Missouri." + +"No farther than England is from California. Brown, it would not +surprise me if, before many years, shiploads of people from England +will be tilling farms right here in this Santa Clara valley." + +They were coming into the grounds of the Calderon hacienda. The white +buildings gleamed in the morning light. The rolling hills formed a +green background. Peons were going forth to the fields, at work in the +gardens, or busy about their adobe cottages which nestled near the home +of their master. + +"Stay by the horses, Brown, while I enter," said Farquharson. + +"Just as you say, Cap'." + +The Englishman sought the entrance of the mansion and inquired for +Señora Valentino. + +"The señora met with an accident this morning," said one of the +Señoritas Calderon who met him. "She is resting. Last night there was +a baile at Señor Mendoza's, in Mission San José. She was there and has +slept almost none till the present." + +"Was the accident serious?" solicitude in his voice. + +"Not serious, but painful." + +"If you announce that Captain Farquharson would like words with her, I +am sure she will not feel herself disturbed. It is really of great +importance that I see her." + +"What is it, querida?" asked Señora Calderon, coming to the outer hall. + +"A señor caller to see Señora Valentino, mamita." + +"She is nearly dropping for sleep, señor, as are we all. Besides, her +hand is wounded." + +"I saw your horse, Captain Farquharson, from my window, between winks. +I had thought to catch an hour's sleep before you came. I am glad you +are so prompt, though." Señora Valentino stood in the doorway. Then +to Señora Calderon and her daughter, she said, "Friends, I made an +engagement to speak with the señor caballero this morning." + +"Pardon, señora. Pardon, señor," from the Calderons together. "We +leave you." + +"Well?" from Farquharson, when the others were gone. + +"You have said it," Señora Valentino replied. "It is well." + +"Tell me about it." + +"In the first place, the Friar Lusciano Osuna has decided for active +service." + +"Good news, señora." + +"The power of his words is overwhelming. He will be most valuable in +winning Baja California to our cause. He came to see that English rule +would be a fostering one to his Indian wards. On no other ground would +he take part with us." + +"But why do we need his work in Baja California more than in Alta +California?" + +"Good señor, this part of the province has been carefully worked over, +and is responsive. In comparison, the lower half has scarcely been +touched. I have made some representations touching sentiment there +which may need bolstering." + +"How?" + +"Last night, at the baile, the young men, the most of them, were +rapturously in favor of the English protectorate." + +Farquharson smiled. + +"The elders ardently followed; that is, the majority. A few +hard-headed ones were obdurate. Mendoza, as I expected, was as set as +a sheet anchor." + +"Yes, señora." + +"The greater number had arrived at that acute moment of mental +tenseness when some outward act becomes a positive necessity. The +dynamic, while thus agitating them, had set their consciousness in +direction of an English protectorate. They became enthusiastic, +perfervid, deadly determined on that protectorate. + +"Then Mendoza voiced his desire of further consideration. So strongly +did his personality affect the company that they were wavering, though +still they shouted for England. Mendoza's very will was swaying them. +The moment of our success was passing. Once let it slip, and all the +king's horses could not bring it back to power again." + +"Go on, señora." + +"Then I used a letter which Señor Carillo recently sent me--not reading +it, but interpreting into its contents a meaning which might be fairly +given, though I think it overtranslated the writer's position. The +smoldering enthusiasm of our señors blazed again. + +"Still Mendoza held them. I began to fear that nothing would come of +the meeting which had begun so auspiciously." + +Farquharson was very intent. + +"Perhaps you remember, Captain, reading in your school days from that +old Latin lesson book, 'Viri Romæ,' how the cackling of geese saved +Rome?" + +"Assuredly," laughed Farquharson. + +"Well, a game of cards saved us last night. My brother-in-law had +suffered defeat at cribbage, and consequently was piqued. I had, some +time ago, broached him on the subject of our work here, and he was not +favorable. So I said nothing more to him. My brother-in-law rates +most highly his proficiency at cribbage, and takes it very hard if +defeated. The very-evident hold of Mendoza on the land barons seemed +to increase his ill-humor, and straightway he, acting-governor as he +is, declared for England." + +"Extraordinary, señora! Most extraordinary!" + +"His words threw the Californians into a frenzy. They cast aside all +restraint, and boldly declared for an English protectorate. + +"Young Peralta, with the Señors Hernandez and Valencia, were appointed +a committee to meet the British representatives at Monterey, and to +arrange for the fleet to take possession of the capital. I would +rather they had waited for this till we had brought Baja California to +the same conviction of mind that our friends reached last night at +Mendoza's; but I thought it wiser not to oppose. 'Better a bird in the +hand than two in the bush,' Captain." + +"Yes, señora." + +"Now, I'm sure Padre Osuna can sway our southern friends as he pleases, +but the friar must have time. If this committee comes in communication +with our admiral now, and he takes over Monterey, Northern California +will applaud, but--Southern California may rise in rebellion." + +"Yes, yes." + +"Then, our admiral must not be found until we judge the time is ready. +Keep him away from Monterey until all sections will welcome his coming +to raise the British flag on Monterey castle." + +"Of course our government expects us to do our part before summoning +Admiral Fairbanks to do his. The Admiral will not appear officially +until that time." + +"You have the idea, my Captain. The committee goes to Monterey, when +it chooses; the fleet comes when we choose." + +"Will Mendoza and the others like-minded make any counter move? Could +you determine anything as to that?" + +"No, nothing, possibly because they may have nothing in mind to do. I +spoke both to Zelaya and to Higuera. I think, Captain, they are an +army with guns spiked. Yet, we must not relax until California becomes +British territory." + +"You say truly, señora. Admiral Fairbanks's fleet reached San Diego +last week. Shortly he will anchor in the little bay north of Yerba +Buena, where Francis Drake is believed to have sojourned. We will keep +in touch with Fairbanks, and his ships will take possession of this +province when the right moment comes; that is, when the people call +aloud for it." + +"A wise captain!" + +"Tell me, señora, what of Morando? We have thought it well to bring +high office within his reach. Now, what was his part in last night's +victory?" + +"He favors retaining the old ideals which Spain presented to all the +New World provinces that she has settled." + +"Yes, yes; let them be retained. But the present and great question? +Did he stand by your side or Mendoza's?" + +The lady bit her lip. "His steps found middle ground." + +"Zounds; lady! Do you mean he is half-hearted?" + +"I will tell you, señor. He is a Spaniard who has left the mother +country for this wider field; nevertheless, he is a Spaniard, and he +can never become English." + +"He is welcome to remain the Spaniard in sentiment. Politically, +however, he can be English. Is he different from the scores who last +night declared for England?" + +She did not reply. + +"Does he look for a government different from the one to which his +California brethren enthusiastically turn?" + +Señora Valentino colored. "Captain Morando last night promised me to +stand by Castilian manhood and womanhood. Hand and glove he declared +it. Further he did not go. Try as I might he advanced nothing. The +ruling thought of the hour passed him by." + +"You astonish me." + +"He is as deeply in love with Carmelita Mendoza as ever. His feet +press after her everywhere." The señora's own foot tapped the floor +impatiently. + +"For this reason he favors Mendoza's reactionary tactics, you think?" + +"I think his mind has never got very far beyond the fair Carmelita +herself." + +"A young and handsome fellow, my señora, makes love as easily as he +talks. About as easily is it accepted--and forgotten." + +"I do not think Morando's attitude toward the Señorita Mendoza can thus +be described." + +"Quite possibly, señora, quite possibly. Now, we had determined--it +was your suggestion, by the way--to make this young man governor and +commander here when the time comes. A splendid idea! All California +will be proud of their handsome and brilliant leader. Our English +colonists, when they arrive, will admire the soldier. A future of +great usefulness and power awaits him. Why not find occasion, as you +know him well, to tell him of these things, and make him one of us?" + +"It is in vain." + +"And why?" + +"I did tell him. We rode together from Mission San José to this place." + +"What did he say?" + +"He said he contemplates soon leaving California forever." + +"Most unaccountable, señora, most unaccountable! But--a man like +Morando does not cast aside such prospects of high honors and power +unless some strong counter attraction prompts him. Well--if he leaves, +we must find someone to take his place." + +Farquharson arose. "I hope your hand will not trouble you seriously. +When do you return to Monterey?" + +"I remain a day or two with the Calderons, then I go home." + +"Allow me to congratulate you again on your success of last night. +Directly I see Fairbanks I will send or bring you word. Good morning, +señora. My best wishes to you." + +The lady bade him farewell and watched him mount, the voluble Brown +declaring, "These roses have spread out two inches while you've been +gone, Cap'." + +She waved another farewell, and turned again to the reception room. "I +win provinces," she thought, "yet I am alone, alone. People crowd +around me, yet am I lonely. I envy the peona we met this morning. I +envy her the brood of pocos niños, her absent husband, and, above all, +God of my soul! her contentment. If the world were mine I would give +it for that!" + +She went slowly to her room and closed the door, then turned to the +mirror. It showed the faultless face and form of a beautiful woman. +"It is all to win provinces!--nothing but--provinces." + +She remained long in thought. + +"Nothing but provinces!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE SEÑORITA OF THE WINDOW PANE + +The fog lifted from Monterey Bay, for a few fleeting moments hung in +aerial battlements over land and water, then dissolved in the alchemic +sun-rays. The blue stretches of water laughed and sang on the beach. +Soft southern winds purred among the crags which edged the ocean, +rustled the tree branches, waved the flowers, rested on the tiled roofs +of the white city, and fanned the calm-souled populace. + +Another day had begun in the capital. + +It was some minor feast day. The bells of the church on the town +outskirts rang their call to service. A moment's silence. In the +distance a clear note sounded, its limpid melody clinging in the air. +Another note, and yet another, and another, until the breath of the +countryside was resonant. It was the chimes of San Carlos Carmelo, a +league away. + +A young officer rode slowly along El Camino Real leading into Monterey +from the north. A dozen or more mounted carbineers followed him. + +Peon children stared curiously at the uniformed men, and whispered +among themselves of the great caballero whose scabbard clinked against +his silver-mounted stirrup with each forward movement of the horse. + +"Whither bound, Señor Capitan Morando?" called a group of churchgoers. + +"To the house of Colonel Barcelo." + +"The Colonel and his señora are already in the church," some one said. + +The Captain bowed and smiled, but continued his way. + +He led his men to the square, then walked to the Barcelo mansion. + +Benito, the porter, guarded the entrance. + +"Have my unworthy eyes the honor of beholding Captain Morando, of San +José?" + +"I am Captain Morando, and I wish to see Señora Valentino." + +"I am honored to lead you within." The man bowed low. "The señora is +in the reception hall." + +He conducted Morando to a large room opening directly on the courtyard. +Wide doors lying ajar invited the refreshing air to enter, as well the +morning sun. + +"The Captain Morando," the porter announced. + +"You are taking the sun, I see, señora." + +"At my lazy ease, Captain. Please be seated." + +They chatted for a little on different topics, till she said: + +"Captain Morando, I spoke to you, the morning after Mendoza's baile, of +the combined civil and military governorship of California when England +comes. I sent for you to-day that I might talk this matter over +further with you." + +"I am highly flattered to call on Señora Valentino. A delightful +woodland ride is followed by this more than delightful meeting." The +young man placed his hand on his breast and inclined gracefully to the +lady. She acknowledged the compliment by a single movement of the head. + +"You do not forget that you have come this morning along El Camino +Real--the King's Highway?" + +"It is fit, truly, to be the highway of a king." + +"Our Captain is appreciative. No?" + +"In the past months I have followed it from San Diego to Sonoma, and +have seen something of the magnificent framework of which this highway +is the vertebræ." + +The lustrous brown eyes smiled at him. "It has been traveled by +vice-regal governor and Mexican envoy. This room received them. On +that dais," pointing to a platform at the end of the apartment, +"obeisance has been paid from the noblest the land held." + +"Ah! this, then, was the state reception room," looking about with +interest. + +"Those straight-backed chairs along the wall held waiting grandees when +California belonged to Spain; and governors for this province were sent +from the homeland. Privy councils were held here. Agreements of state +were formulated and signed here. Much of the history of California was +made in this place. The house, from being the governmental palace, +passed, in Mexican times, to private ownership." + +"O, I see, señora." + +"Captain, the old days must have been glorious, but, after all, they +were but seeds of more significant times. The new governor will have +vastly greater opportunity than the others ever dreamed of." + +"I cannot doubt it, señora." + +"Then, my Captain, be the first English governor in Monterey. The +office will be yours for the taking." + +"You speak to me, señora, of high office endowed with great power ready +to my hand. Mindful as I am of your consideration, I could not, if I +would, accept a place for which I have had no training, and for which I +feel no aptitude." + +"A modest captain! Your words do you credit, my soldier. But, you +have not yet looked on all sides of the question. You would be the +front of the incoming administration. Back of you would stand men who +have had experience in applied statecraft, but who lack the unusual +qualifications you possess successfully to represent English rule to +the residents of this province." + +"Still, señora, I would be occupying a position in which I would be +entirely inexperienced." + +"But think, Captain; consider. With time comes the experience." + +"Again I thank you, señora. But, when I feel free to do so I shall +leave California and seek a career elsewhere." + +"California needs you. Castilian ideals and Castilian faith need you." + +"I shall fail no duty, señora." + +"But the governorship?" persistently. + +"Señora, my friend, may I ask you to believe me when I say I could not +accept it." + +"Well, Captain, the formal offer, nevertheless, will come to you in a +short time." + +She touched a bell. Her maid entered. + +"Atila, please bring us coffee and some of those dulces for which +Alfonsa, the cook, is so famous." + +The girl soon reappeared with a small table covered with a white cloth, +and on which was dainty china ready for the serving. A pot of steaming +coffee and a plate of freshly made sweet cake were added. A small vase +of purple violets furnished adornment. + +Gentle breezes stole into the room, carrying with them the nestling of +the leaves in the patio and the perfume of the growing things. + +"What a land of enchantment you have at your very side!" indicating the +out-of-doors. + +"Sometimes I fancy this to be a wishing-chair," indicating the one on +which she was sitting. "Then the patio becomes unique. I often sit by +the hour, and frame around it pictures of life as I would like to live +it. That space outside is transformed into a jungle, the birds, my +brothers and sisters, while the riotous colors embellish the leafy +homes of the little people. Sweet woodsy odors refresh me, and I +repose in the shady recesses, my heart singing the songs of Utopialand." + +"Most pleasing fancies, indeed, my señora." + +"They are my refuge. I lose myself in fancyland to crowd out other and +unhappy memories." Her eyes grew troubled. Her face lost its curves +of power. + +"My dear Señora Valentino," began the soldier, his chivalry touched, +"your husband is gone from you, but----" + +Her gesture stopped him. + +"I anticipate your words, Captain. It is not what I have lost that +makes me sad. It is the absence of what forms the warp and woof of a +woman's life, the things I have never had." + +"What they can be I do not know, señora. I cannot imagine a life more +filled than yours, except for the loss of----" + +Again her gesture left his sentence incomplete. + +"Captain Morando, forgive me if I say such words mock me." + +"Señora, the world is at your feet. The bravest and the proudest court +your smiles. At that ball in Madrid I saw our commander lead you to +the king, and together they bowed over your hand, while the multitude +applauded. Can you not even now hear them? 'Viva! Viva! the fairest +and gentlest in the kingdom! Viva! Señora Valentino!'" + +"Not that, Captain; not that," deprecatingly. "Praise from the lips +fills not the heart. Five years ago a prima donna thrilled all Europe. +King and subject alike did her homage. In Paris the noble were honored +by drawing her carriage to the opera house, having detached the horses. +Yet last year she died alone and heartbroken." + +"But for you, my dear lady!" + +"It almost overcomes me, Captain, when I look back over my life. I +rarely have courage to do so." She knit her brows. + +"You know Señora Barcelo is my half sister only?" abruptly. + +"No, I did not." + +"My father was an elderly man when he married my mother. His daughter, +now Señora Barcelo, was then nearly grown. My mother died when I was +three years old, my father, a few months later. I can scarcely +remember either. My half sister married and went away. I was placed +in the convent of Maria del Pilar, in Madrid." + +"Maria del Pilar!" + +She nodded. + +"I was in the division of the convent assigned to the daughters of +hidalgo worth. I was reared there, on the strictest monastic lines. I +was naturally light-hearted. Perhaps my grave teachers did not +understand me, for they fettered my spirit by restrictions most +onerous. If they had only taken the little motherless child to their +arms and kissed away the loneliness! + +"One day I was in punishment for some infraction of discipline. The +penalty was to remain alone in the dormitory, on the topmost floor of +the building. I heard martial music in the square before the convent. +I knew that the cadets of San Sebastian military school were drilling +there." + +"Why, señora, I----" + +She continued. "The windows were stained except one pane, not a large +one, which had been broken and replaced by plain glass. I climbed to +it--the pane was rather high--and witnessed the military maneuvers. I +remember the captain of one company as well as if it were yesterday, +his youthful figure and trim uniform, his sword against his shoulder, +his intent face." + +Morando was listening closely. + +"Whenever I could I watched that cadet corps at its evolutions on the +plaza. Often I stole away from study to the dormitory. + +"One day the captain saw me. He waved his sword. I tapped the glass. +That formed a code of signals." + +The soldier smiled. + +"The years went on. I saw my young captain become a colonel; saw his +smooth lip darken with mustachios. His eyes and sword flashed at me +the first time he wore the colonel's chevrons. + +"A firm hand on my shoulder startled me one day. 'Step down, +señorita,' came the voice of our prefectress of discipline. 'Now let +me see this great sight!' My colonel was waving his sword toward the +window. He turned away when the new face came in view, but not in time +to prevent the sister prefectress seeing the salutation. + +"A council was called. My teachers decided that a very grave breach of +discipline had been committed. The prefectress, even with inspection +from a nearer window, could not designate the cadet who had waved his +sword. 'How long has this continued?' they demanded. I told them. +They were greatly shocked. + +"I was ordered to point out the military student who had been so +indiscreet as to carry on flirtation with a hidalgo's daughter in Pilar +Convent. I refused to do so, nor could they overcome my will. I +feared for him. The mother superior vowed she would have him 'broken.' +She was the cardinal's sister, and all-powerful. + +"My penalty soon came. The head of my family, a cousin, was called. +He took as grave view of my conduct as had my teachers. 'A marriage +must be arranged for the imprudent girl at once. A man of years and +firmness should be found. This levity must yield to correction,' he +decided. + +"Colonel Valentino had been a widower for several years. He was my +cousin's intimate friend. The wedding day was set before I even saw my +future husband. + +"I objected to the marriage, but the Spanish conventions of our class +are as unyielding as stone. What could I do, but finally consent? At +seventeen I found myself married to a man old enough to be my father. +There was nothing in common between us. He meant to be kind. He was +just, as he was courageous and able. I accompanied him on diplomatic +missions and learned much, but knew no happiness. Then he went to +Morocco, and death. I am here to work in a cause I believe to be +right, but----" + +She bowed her head. "If I gained the whole world for England, it would +not fill one empty cranny of my heart." + +Morando did not know what to say in response. + +"I have never known a father's care, nor a mother's love. Add to this +unhappy childhood. Add again a loveless and childless marriage, and +you have my life." + +"My dear señora! My dear señora!" His words stopped. He was standing +before the lady, who also arose, her eyes flashing, her tones vibrating. + +"I was in Constantinople, Great Britain's agent, when the news came of +Colonel Valentino's death. I started at once for Spain. A storm raged +on the Sea of Marmora. I took the wedding ring from my finger and +threw it into the foam. The roar of the tempest and the shriek of the +cordage was the requiem of that marriage-symbol. I wish I could bury +the past and its memories as deep as is buried that ring. But memories +will not down," she went on passionately. "Some unquiet spirit +possesses them. They trouble my sleep at night; they walk with me in +the day. And, O, my Captain, the future!" She closed her eyes with a +little shudder, as if to blot out unpleasant sights. + +"My dear lady, you forget what you are in the lives of others. Even +that embryo soldier, the cadet of San Sebastian's, welcomed his +colonelcy the more because the girl-face in the little diamond pane +would brighten when she saw the uniform. The inspiration to win honors +came in no small degree from that topmost spot of grim old Pilar +Convent." + +He looked intently at her, his voice throbbing with emotion. + +"My señora, have you known--did you know--do you not----" His voice +broke. + +She said nothing, but her eyes searched his. + +"O, señora--that night at the ball in Madrid--that night when you----" + +"What, my Captain?" + +His words came more steadily. + +"When I saw you at General Guerrero's ball I was beset by voices from +the past calling to me, persistently calling. I was introduced to you. +The voices called louder. Still were they incoherent. The evening +grew. I danced with you. I could not fathom the meaning of that call +which sounded with increasing insistency. The days passed. I +concluded that some wraith of dreams had hovered over me. At the +merienda, when again introduced to you, I did not, for the moment, +recognize the Señora Valentino of that military ball. You reminded me +of our previous meeting, which I immediately recalled, the difference +in your gown explaining my lack of recognition. As I talked with you +the past spoke again to me, and in language I could not comprehend. + +"O, señora, need I tell you that I was that cadet-lad who for three +years waved his sword in greeting to the girl at the window! I have +never forgotten you." + +"But when the face did not again appear at the window?" + +"I saw the stern visage replace yours, and afterward there was a blank. +I had no way to reach you." + +"Yes," calmly, "the incident was closed. My betrothal was arranged, +and you started on your campaigns." + +"I had no thought punishment would come to you." + +"It came." + +"My dear lady, I would have saved you at any cost had I known. My +heart bleeds that I was in any way the cause of tragedy in your life." + +"You are more than kind, Captain." + +"I wish I could give back to you those lost years." + +"Your wish is most generous, señor." + +"Before an unwilling marriage should have been forced on you I would +have scaled those barbed walls to bear you away with me, after the +manner of the knights of old." + +"But you did not know. The walls were unsealed. From the girls' +dormitory I went into life--and such a life it has been! The +soldier-lad's life was different." + +Her bosom was heaving, her breath coming in quick catches. She +crumpled into a chair, and covered her face with her hands. + +"O, señora, señora!" moving a step nearer. + +A storm of sobbing was the only reply. + +He knelt by her side. + +"O, señora! My dear señora!" + +He put his hand on her shoulder. + +"Look at me, my poor, crushed señorita of the window pane." + +She let one hand drop to her side, the other reached to his. The +velvet eyes brimming with tears looked piteously at him. + +"I ask--I beg of you--O, señora----" + +Somehow she came into his arms. + +"Until to-day I never knew that you were the señorita of the window." + +"You were the knight who went to the wars and left forlorn his lady." + +A fresh sob convulsed her. The compelling personality of the señora +was gone. The imperious, beautiful woman was submerged in a being +clinging and tender. + +The man made an effort to speak, but his tongue refused to obey. +Finally: "Señora, I too am desolate. My sympathy for you is yet the +greater because my own heart has been bereft. Señora----" + +A heavy foot was on the vestibule floor. Colonel Barcelo entered. + +"Benito, the scoundrel, asleep in the sun! Actually asleep! A pretty +sentinel! 'Pon my soul! I smell coffee. I've had no breakfast and am +hungry as a wolf." + +He pushed forward. + +"Why, here's Morando! Glad some one was here in my place to entertain +you. My wife's sister hasn't felt herself since that confounded affair +over on the Mendoza grant. He should be told of the birds of prey that +infest the place. Time he should set those prize native riflemen of +his to killing off such pests. Caramba! but that coffee smells good. +Is there any of it left?" + +Señora Barcelo had followed her husband into the room. + +"Crisostimo! Why, you have not even said good morning to the Captain! +Of course breakfast will be ready for us at once." + +"I hope so! Hope so! Morando, I heard this morning the most wonderful +sermon of my life. Something I didn't expect to be able to say in this +town. Padre Osuna, of Mission San José, preached. 'Suffer little +children to come unto me, and forbid them not,' was his text. Applied +it to the Indians of the province, our duties to them, and all that. +I've never been so near heaven in my life as when he was speaking. +Looked at my watch when he began--force of habit, you know. Looked +again when he finished. 'Twas just fifty-seven minutes. I would have +sworn it wasn't ten. + +"Come in!" he called, in response to an insistent knock at the door. + +It was Benito. + +"A messenger from Señor Berryessa is at the outer gate. He seeks +Captain Morando. Renegades last night attacked some outlying corrals, +killed and wounded a number of vaqueros, then set off by starlight +toward the eastern passes, taking many cattle and horses." + +Morando hastened to the door. + +"Pity you can't stay and have coffee with us," said Barcelo. + +The Captain's spurs were already jingling on the pavement. "Adios!" he +called back. + +"A fine fellow, that!" the Colonel remarked. "Sorry I was out when he +first came. In the new order I'll have men enough to crush out the +renegades once for all. The Captain won't be run so off his feet then." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +O'DONNELL SETTLES WITH YOSCOLO + +The luminous haze of late spring lay contentedly over the Mendoza +hacienda. The noon hour had come with its somnolent warmth; and all +nature was dozing in the sun, except the bumblebee, victim of +omnipresent unrest, and the hummingbird, which always finds the day too +short for its multifarious duties. + +The peon workman, in from the fields, was satisfying hunger in his +whitewashed cot; or, the meal over, was stretched on the earthen floor, +a kerchief over his face, enjoying the midday siesta. The peona wife +stepped lightly around tidying the room, and then took place by her +husband's side, their children lying tumbled about. + +Peace rested on the Indian adobe village which flanked the hacienda +house. Inside the mansion itself there reigned the stillness of night. + +A footstep descending stairs somewhere seemed unusually loud. Finally +a door opened, making a grating, out-of-place sound. Señor Mendoza's +erect form appeared on the west side of the courtyard. He walked +leisurely toward an avenue shaded by the interlacing branches of +thick-leafed walnut trees. A tiny brook fed by a spring in the middle +of the courtyard purled along by his feet. A grateful coolness lifted +itself to greet him. The odor of damp earth mingled pleasingly with +the scent of flowers; and from under the south wall of the inclosure +came the rhythm of a miniature waterfall as the brook lost itself on +the rocks many feet beneath. + +The señor found that he was not alone in seeking the leafed coolness of +the walnut alameda. The Doña Carmelita was standing at the end of the +walk listening, apparently, to the music of the water. Her hair, free +save where a golden clasp held it at the neck, gave play, as it flowed +over her back, to the beginning breezes from the western sea. The +profile of her face was thoughtful. Delicate lines traced the +exquisite fullness of a form straight and slender. + +"My daughter is a beautiful woman!" he half ejaculated. + +Many thoughts ran through his mind in panoramic vision. He recalled +the long gallery in his father's castle where had hung the pictured +forbears of the de la Mendoza. Generations were there. Their +characteristic form and features had descended to Carmelita. No +government rule could prevent that, though it might vent titles and +confiscate lands. + +"My daughter a woman! A beautiful woman!" The thought half startled +him. + +The girl turned and walked toward him. + +"Little papa! Little papa mine! are you taking the siesta on your +feet?" + +Carmelita's slender hands were on his broad shoulders, and she was +endeavoring to shake him. Her merry laugh pealed through the avenue. + +"I smiled at you, and smiled at you, and blew kisses at you, while you +looked at me as if I were a thousand leagues away, and you deigned +never the least recognition," standing on tiptoe and kissing him. + +"I was living again the years of very long ago." + +"Tell me about it, little papa." + +She took his arm, and together they walked along the avenue. + +"Tell me about it, papacito," she repeated. + +"Why are you not at the siesta?" disregarding her question. + +She looked up at him demurely. + +"I did not care to sleep. Besides," jestingly, "we must accustom +ourselves to the ways of the Americano who will soon come here. You +remember I have spoken to you of Señor Brown, the man who was so +thoughtful in the cave the night of the storm?" + +He pressed her arm tenderly in reply. + +"I saw him lately in San José. He told me, among other things, that +Americanos never sleep in the day, and sparingly at night; indeed, +often with one eye open." She laughed. Her father joined. + +"The Americanos are coming, you say?" + +The girl stepped in front of him, placed her hands against his breast +and looked into his face. + +"Papacito mio, since the baile you have slept not one night at home, +but in the morning returning with the travel-stains of much riding. +Messengers are coming and going between you and the bearded stranger +after whom Benito rode away so furiously in that early morning. I know +my little father too well to think he will allow Señora Valencia and +Hernandez and the others to have their way so easily about England +coming here. Yes, the Americanos are coming, because you have willed +to have them come. Papacito, I feel it." + +"My child, England, the greatest power the world knows, does not rely +so much on Valencia and Hernandez, nor yet the others, as on the wit of +a very clever woman, seconded by Captain Farquharson, principal of your +good friend, Brown." + +The doña's arms fell to her side. They resumed their walk. + +"Captain Farquharson also was very kind the night of the storm." + +"I do not forget that, little one. When Padre Osuna came to me, the +evening of the baile, with word that the Englishman was in straits, I +intended to help Farquharson, even by placing myself under obligation +to O'Donnell, which I would have disliked very much, at that time." + +"Why, papacito, did Padre Osuna come to you?" + +The señor smiled. "Señora Valentino." + +The girl's eyes once more bent in thought. "Why?" + +"Again the night in the cave," he laughed. "I am indebted to the +padre, and could not have refused his request to help the English +captain, of which the señora was well aware. Immediately I divined +O'Donnell to be the real cause of Farquharson's predicament, and I knew +that he would gladly grant me the request, did I make it, to free the +captive. The lady's mind ran the gamut of the cause and effect." + +"It is like an endless puzzle, my papa." + +"Which the Captain solved of his own accord by taking himself out of +his plight, aided by Brown." + +They walked a little while in silence. Filipo, the porter, looked in +surprise at them from his high seat in the lodge. Usually he was the +only person awake on the hacienda at this hour. His little beady eyes +followed them up and down, up and down the avenue. + +"My daughter," the father finally said, "we have in California, in a +small way, an example of the game of statecraft. Europe plays on a +larger scale, but it is the same. There, as here, the charm and brain +of woman supply the leverage for overturning states." + +"I would not have thought Señora Valentino gifted in that way." + +"Six months ago the señora and Farquharson were in Mexico City. Don +Juan Domingo told me of them. O'Donnell also was there, but under an +assumed name. I too was there, though I saw none of the three. The +lady's fame had followed her to the capital. Her hand has in no way +lost its cunning here. The older men--well, we know how they accepted +her wishes a few nights ago; and the young men are at her feet. No +wonder." + +Carmelita said nothing. + +"Señora Valentino has won the padre to her side; has influenced the +well-poised Carillo, of the South, and many others there. She has, in +the North, toyed with men's intelligence whose balance I had never +before doubted." + +The girl's eyes were straight ahead. The father and daughter went for +a few moments without speaking. + +The señor broke the quiet. "Little one, if by any chance future years +shall see misfortune here, provision has been made for thee across the +seas. The proceeds of the lower hacienda, thy mother's, had she lived, +have been placed for thee in London's Bank of England. Friends thou +wilt find in England. Their names are written in my will. Thou canst +find protection there always, should it ever fail thee here." + +"California has been thy home, my father, and it shall always be mine." + +"A brave daughter and a loving one." + +It was some time before further conversation. + +"Thou art a woman grown. Though I married late in life, yet may I +still live to see thee on a husband's arm." + +She looked archly at him. "There is Don Abelardo. You know friends +have said that his father and mine arranged for a match." + +"Yes; but it is not true. You are to have the making of your own life." + +"Papacito, my dueña says that more and more are people speaking of this +purported engagement. I know, of course, how the story began with the +peons present when Abelardo's father passed away in your arms; but, why +should such sudden interest arise now?" + +"The peons understood little of Señor Peralta's words, and spoke much, +as Indians often do. His utterance touched the friendship of his +family and mine, nothing more. Peralta would never have dreamed of +betrothing our children without their wish and consent; nor I of +entering such a compact, though such has been the custom in Spain--a +custom truly more honored in the breach than the observance." + +"But, papa, I don't want this idea that Abelardo and I are engaged to +be married to get so widely about. What can we do?" + +"Do nothing, my girl, do nothing. Attention paid to such things only +nourishes their growth. What does it amount to, anyway?" + +Filipo came over to them. + +"Captain Morando, and many with him, are dropping down the steep hills, +and are coming in this direction. The field glass shows them plainly." + +Mendoza and his daughter walked toward the gate. + +"Morando is one of the few who have not been influenced by Señora +Valentino. He has maintained clear head and uncompromised tongue. +Sword and glove he has declared himself for Castilian manhood and +womanhood. I would be willing, as, indeed, should everyone, to clasp +hands with the señora on that declaration; as did the Captain in the +supper-room the night of the baile. I wish all my friends had held +their wits against this agent of Great Britain as firmly as he." + +The señorita paled, then flushed. + +"Pity that Morando thinks of leaving California. I have it not +directly from him, but O'Donnell heard him say that he intends to seek +new fields as soon as he can," continued the señor. + +Morando and his soldiers rode to the gate and saluted the Mendozas. + +"I have several men who are rather severely wounded. May I leave them +here in your care while we push on farther?" + +"Certainly, my friend, certainly. But, Morando, you are tired, I know; +so are your men. Alight, every one of you, for rest and refreshment. +Filipo, call the servants from the siesta." + +The loud blast of Filipo's bugle brought life into the hacienda house +and around it. + +"Muchas gracias, señor. I cannot remain. We have been engaging +Yoscolo since yester noon. This morning a large number of the +renegades came to the front and fought vigorously for a time. Then +they scattered. Some of the prisoners have told us that, during the +fight, Yoscolo and a picked body of his men doubled around us, +intending to cut across the valley, and make the Santa Cruz mountains +at La Cuesta de los Gatos. We must hurry in pursuit." + +"Yoscolo, is it? Caramba!" from Mendoza. "In an hour O'Donnell comes +here. I'll guarantee he will be glad to ride with you after Yoscolo." + +"I should be glad of his services, but----" + +"But, wait, Captain. O'Donnell will pick up the rascal's trail as no +other man can. Before night he will be riding in his heels. Come, +Morando, dismount. Let your men take the horses to the stables." + +"I know of O'Donnell's value in such contests as this; but the trail +will be an hour colder." + +"Not so, Captain. The Indian will leave false tracks in abundance. +The Americano frontiersman's eyes will not be deceived. Better wait, +my friend." + +Morando finally consented. The wounded men were cared for, and the +weary men and horses were refreshed. + +Before the hour was up the soldiers and their mounts were outside the +courtyard gate, ready for the order to advance. + +Mendoza went to the tower searching the horizon with a field glass. +The Captain stood across the courtyard waiting word from his host that +O'Donnell had come into sight. + +Carmelita came out of a low door deeply let into the side of the left +wing of the house. The hospital department of the hacienda was there. +The girl was carrying a flat vessel containing lint and bandages. + +"Your wounded are as comfortable as possible, Señor Captain," she said, +as she passed Morando. + +"I thank you and Señor Mendoza for it." + +"Ah! Papacito is looking toward us and holding up his hand to catch +our attention." + +"O'Donnell is in sight a league away," Mendoza's voice came clearly to +them. + +"Gracias, Señor Mendoza," the soldier called in return. + +The señor left the tower and walked along the roof to an outside +staircase. + +The girl held up the lint and bandages. "The peona nurses and I +prepared these for people injured on the rancho. I rejoice that we had +them ready for to-day." + +"Fortune favored us in being within such easy reach of your +ministrations, señorita doña. One or two of the men could not have +gone much farther. I shall not forget your kindness." + +"Not kindness, Señor Capitan! A privilege and a duty! We are here in +our stronghold, while you are bearing the heat and the burden of the +day. Our fruitful valleys smile the more happily because of your +protection." + +"Your words are encouraging, señorita." + +"I want to be more than encouraging. I mean to be appreciative. I +wish I knew how to say more." + +"The señorita is good to the soldier. In the name of my comrades, I +thank you." + +Her face flushed. + +"Captain, will you not be seated? The shade of that fig-tree invites +you. The afternoon may make much call on your strength." + +She took seat on a rustic chair and motioned him to a bench in front of +her fashioned around the tree-trunk. + +"I am glad O'Donnell will assist in this work. He is a man who makes +sure of his position before pushing ahead," spoke Morando. + +"Is the good Señor Americano, then, so infallible?" + +"Quite so. Still, to err is human." + +"But to forgive, divine, Señor Captain." + +"Señorita Doña," hesitatingly, "perhaps there are things humans can +hardly be expected to forgive." + +Again her face flushed, and she bit her lip. + +"Yes--and even if done under misapprehension." Her eyes looked +straight at him. + +"Of course the offense remains despite the misapprehension--of course +it remains," from Morando. His eyes sought the ground. + +Neither spoke for a moment. Peons were running hither and thither. +Señor Mendoza had descended from the roof and was sauntering toward +them. Filipo's field glass pointed along the road leading up to the +gate. + +"Señorita Carmelita, we can at least be friends. Is it not so?" + +Mendoza was at their side. "Captain, when did you first find out about +this raid?" + +"Yesterday morning. I had ridden to Monterey, to call on Señora +Valentino where the messenger came. I had some men with me. The +others came up at the Berryessa rancho." + +"Yes, Filipo, I'm coming," in response to a signal from the porter. + +Mendoza walked briskly toward the gate. + +"Friends!" Carmelita arose, her eyes flashing. + +Morando also arose. "I do not consider my friendship of light value, +Señorita Doña Mendoza." + +"I do not share your high opinion of that friendship, Captain Morando." + +The loud challenge of O'Donnell's horse was heard. + +"Morando! Morando!" Señor Mendoza called. + +"Coming immediately, señor. Good afternoon, señorita doña." The +Captain hastened to the courtyard gate. + +The señorita went up to her room, a storm raging in her heart. + +"If Captain Morando dares mention the name of Señora Valentino in my +presence again, I'll forbid him ever to speak to me." She clenched her +hands. + +The sound of many moving horses under her window called her thoughts. + +The soldiers were setting out. Tomaso and a hundred of Mendoza's +fighting peons were with them. Morando and O'Donnell rode together, in +earnest conversation. + +"The place to find the scamp is always where you would least likely +think him to be," O'Donnell observed. + +Yoscolo's trail was found at the Berryessa rancho, where he had been +the morning of the previous day. The Indian had waited some time to +obtain powder from a cache in the hills, then started across the +valley, secure in the thought that Morando and his men were miles away +in the mountains. + +About the middle of the afternoon he was overtaken at La Cuesta de los +Gatos, ten miles south of San José. + +At sight of the pursuers Yoscolo intrenched himself in a rocky cañon, +which, he believed, could not be approached by flank movements, while a +successful frontal attack seemed impossible. Here he waited, intending +to slip away at night. + +O'Donnell, on the stallion, followed by Tomaso and his peons, scaled +the rocky edge of a precipice, and suddenly appeared on a ledge thirty +feet above the renegades. + +"El Diablo! El Diablo!" they shouted. + +A number of shots were fired at O'Donnell. He swung under the horse's +body, and the shots went wild. + +The stallion braced its feet and slid down the cliff followed by the +others. + +A terrible hand-to-hand conflict was waged. Fortune would favor one +side, then the other. Finally, the two leaders came together in the +middle of the little valley at the head of the cañon. The giant made +thrust after thrust of his lance at the Indian, who parried +successfully, pressing his opponent hotly in return. + +The stallion's part in the combat was no small one. He whirled his +master out of harm's way, or pushed into the fight, at a simple turn of +the rein. + +Yoscolo's horse stumbled. The stallion sounded its scream, and rushed +against the other mount, throwing it from its feet. + +The Indian sprang free from his falling horse, and, grasping +O'Donnell's stirrup-strap, vaulted to the back of Drumlummon. His face +snarled furiously as he struck his knife at O'Donnell. Before the blow +could fall a backward thrust of O'Donnell's lance ended the outlaw's +life. + +Morando's command attacked the renegades' front. The deep-shadowed +cañon rang with carbine volleys, the screaming of horses and the shouts +of men. + +The Indians were dismayed at the leader's fall, but Stanislaus took +charge, and urged on the fight. Nightfall, however, saw the complete +defeat of the robber band. Stanislaus was captured. + +"I've settled with Yoscolo. Now I'll ride to Mission San José and +finish my call on Mendoza," was O'Donnell's laconic remark. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +FARQUHARSON MEETS WITH A LOSS + +"The Cap'n wants me to give this 'ere paper to the padre and nobody +else. Consequently, nobody else gets it." + +"No sabe, señor." + +Brown was standing outside the gate of Mission San José. The porter's +face was wrinkled into lines of firmness. The caller had asked for +Padre Osuna and had held up a sealed envelope on which was written the +friar's name. The man in the lodge had asked for the communication, +first in Spanish, then in the world-known sign language. Brown +understood the signs, but was determined to place the letter in the +addressee's hands himself. + +"No such trouble go get to see the minister in my country," Brown +commented. + +"No sabe, señor," again from the porter. + +"You don't understand much, pore critter," said Brown, unwittingly +using the meaning of the other's words. "Well from them to whom little +is given little is to be expected; so, go to the deuce till I can find +a way to beat something into your thick head." + +Brown's words were unintelligible, but his contemptuous manner spoke +plainly enough to the Indian, who broke into a volley of indignant +Spanish. + +The American slipped the bridle reins over his horse's head and led the +animal across the street to the Mendoza hacienda house. + +Señor Mendoza had just returned from riding. A half score of mounted +Indian riflemen were a short distance back of him. The Administrator +nimbly sprang from his horse and awaited the newcomer. Several of the +peons unslung their carbines from their shoulders, but replaced them at +a motion from the señor's hand. + +"Can you talk American?" was Brown's characteristic question. + +Genuine amusement was in Mendoza's laugh. "I am not sure. I can +understand you, however. I'm sure of that." + +Brown looked at the tall, gray man. "I reck'n you're the little girl's +pop," he observed. "She favors you mightily in every way, 'cept in +size and age. Met her again the other day in San José. We was tickled +to death to see one another." + +"So you are Brown.. I am very glad to meet you. Allow me to thank you +for your generous kindness to my daughter and the lady with her that +night in the cave." + +Mendoza advanced, his hand extended in hearty greeting. The American +took the proffered hand with a viselike grip. + +"You bet I'm Brown--Simon James Brown. Saint Louis, Missouri, is my +post office address. I'm proud to know ye, sir." + +The señor recovered his hand from Brown after it had been given a +series of pump-handle shakes. + +"What me and the Cap'n did for your folks the night of the freshet gave +us as much pleasure as it did them," Brown continued in a mincing way, +as if the occasion demanded some special effort from him. + +"I regret that I did not have opportunity that night to thank you and +your captain." + +Brown wagged his head in a friendly way. "Curious feller is the Cap'n. +Mind, he's a decent chap to work for and all that. I like him better +all the time; but his ways are past finding out, you bet." + +Mendoza bowed courteously to the stranger and smiled obligingly. "What +you see before you, Señor Brown, is yours. Will you not enter?" He +waved his hands over grounds and house. + +Brown looked dubiously at the other. The señor's suave dignity forbade +the thought that he was joking. + +"I declare, I never had so much property before in my life. Does the +deed go with it?" + +Mendoza smiled and repeated his gestures. + +"I don't reck'n I'll go in just now," he said dryly. "You see, I'm +workin' and my time isn't my own. I'm lookin' for the minister of that +there church," pointing to the Mission over the way. "I can't make the +feller in the box catch my meanin'." + +"Ah! You wish to see Padre Osuna?" + +"That's the name written here," producing the envelope. + +"Very well, my friend. Come with me. I'll speak to the porter for +you." + +"Señor Brown, shall I accompany you across the way?" + +"I'll be much obleeged." + +"Filipo!" called Mendoza. + +Filipo understood. He came out the gate, took the horse's bridle from +Brown, then clapped his hands together sharply. A peon boy came +running. The porter gave quick command in Spanish. The boy sprang +into the saddle and galloped after the riflemen. + +"I--see here--" ejaculated the astonished Missourian. "Why, I have to +ride that nag to Monterey to-night!" alarm beginning to show in his +face. + +"The horse will be fed and cared for, Señor Brown," assured Mendoza. + +"I'll see that you have a mount to Monterey." Then quickly: "You rode +through the lower Santa Clara from Monterey to-day?" + +"Sure, I did." + +"Saw no signs of renegades?" + +"Nary sign. Haven't seen a renegade since I swatted a bunch over last +week." + +The two went in the direction of the Mission lodge. Noting the erect +figure and decisive step of the Californian, Brown squared his heavy +shoulders and endeavored to walk in dignified fashion. + +Mendoza said a few words to the lodge keeper. The gate opened +noiselessly. + +"Brown, you are to enter. When your business is over, come to my +house. Do not start for Monterey until I see you again. Will you +promise, my friend?" The señor held out his hand. + +"All right. I don't know where my horse is anyhow. Besides, I'd enjoy +to come in and set a spell." He administered several hearty handshakes. + +Mendoza turned and walked toward his own gate. + +"I declare," Brown soliloquized, "in my country that 'seenyore' there +would have come right into the preacher's setting room and stayed +around a while." + +The porter, by crooking his finger, indicated that Brown was to follow +him. + +"All right," assented Brown. "I'll follow where you can lead anyway." + +The Indian took him within the quadrangle. The busy life he saw +attracted his attention. + +"A lot of you folks do seem to be working at something or other," he +remarked to the porter. + +"No sabe, señor," was the answer. + +"Seems to me I heard you say something like that before." + +They came to the friar's apartments. Juan Antonio met them. + +"Be you the Reverend?" asked Brown. + +"No sabe, señor," from the old major-domo. + +"That there 'pears to be a common remark," commented Brown. + +Juan Antonio signaled Brown to come with him. + +"All right, 'seenyore,' I'm coming. 'Pears to me this might be a +likely place for a deaf-and-dumb man." + +He was ushered into a small room well lighted by the afternoon sun. +The padre arose to meet him. + +"You wish to see me, brother?" he asked. + +Brown dropped his sombrero on the floor and made the lowest bow of his +life. "I have a letter for you, Reverend." + +"A chair, my brother. Ah! I recognize the handwriting," taking the +letter. "Kindly excuse me while I read it." + +"I shall return an oral reply to Captain Farquharson. Say to him, +'Yes, I will see him.'" + +"I'll do it." + +The friar seated himself. "I see you are not an Englishman, my friend." + +"No, indeed, I'm American, lock, stock, and barrel." + +"I thought as much from your accent." + +"My accent!" + +"Yes. Your manner of speaking English is quite different from that to +which I have been accustomed." + +"I speak good old United States," Brown said, warmly. + +Padre Osuna laughed. "I have met occasionally sea-faring men here and +trappers of your nationality." + +"I reckon they do slop over into this country. I wish more of them +would come. But we are a long way off when we are at home." + +"Did you come here as a trapper or as a sailor?" + +"Nary trapper; nary sailor. I'm here on the proposition of big game +huntin'." + +The padre made no reply, but looked intently at his visitor. + +Brown now felt that some remarks on matters religious were due from him. + +"I haven't been to church none in California because I'm entirely +ignorant of the prevailin' tongue," he started in abruptly. "It's no +use to set under preachin' if you don't understand the preacher." + +The padre laughed. "Certainly both preacher and congregation would be +at a disadvantage in such case." + +"I've seen men around Monterey and elsewhere dressed in the same way +you are, but I haven't spoke to them, bein' uncertain of their +knowledge of my talk." + +"I fear that not one of my brethren could understand you." + +"So I reckoned. Now, I'm not a religious professor at this time, +though I'd delight to set under good preachin'. I and all my folks are +hard-shelled Baptists." + +"Indeed." + +"Yes. But bein' mate on a Mississippi freight boat and handlin' nigger +deck hands begets an unregenerate spirit." + +"You found it so?" + +"I did. That was one of the reasons why I left steam-boatin'. +Diversion and love of adventure were the others." + +"You say you came here on the proposition of big game hunting. You +have, then, given up your project for the time being to take service +with Captain Farquharson?" + +"O, no, Reverend. The Cap'n is here on the same proposition. When I +first met him he was plum daffy on big game. The big game he wanted +resided only in California. Now, being a man of the world, I'd mixed a +good deal with the huntin' of bear, et cetery. I reckoned I could do +huntin' in a plain way on the Pacific Coast, so I became first mate in +the Cap'n's outfit, and here I be." + +The friar looked searchingly at Brown. "Your outfit is doubtless +richer by many peltries at this time." + +Brown laughed and slapped his thigh. At the same time a shrewd twinkle +came into his eyes. "Most curious thing in nature! The minute the +Cap'n comes where big game abounds he loses int'rest in said game +complete." + +"Indeed." + +"Certain and sure. Never saw anything like it." + +"How do you account for it?" + +"The Cap'n's got cards up his sleeve. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe I'm +right; but, anyway, it's got something to do with these Injun folks +hereabouts." + +Padre Osuna was all attention. "Why do you think so?" + +"Well, Reverend, it's the result of my observin's." + +"Yes?" + +"Yes, sir. Cap'n thinks this country should be cultivated. Talks free +on this point. Naturally, Injuns will do the harvestin'. Naturally, +again, the Cap'n will get his share of the harvest." + +Father Osuna looked steadily at Brown. "You think Captain Farquharson +would burden our Indians still further? Have they not been already +plundered and cast out? Captain Farquharson's--our government could +not contemplate making their peonage more complete. It is impossible." + +Brown, slowly moving from side to side in his chair, eyed the padre. +"Reckon 'twon't hurt 'em to work a sight more than they do. Our +niggers in the South hustle and it does 'em good, besides creatin' +wealth." + +The friar paced nervously up and down the little room. "My poor +children have been deprived of their own; the labor of their hands is +being exploited; the welfare of their souls is forgotten. Am I helping +to forge their fetters stronger? God forbid." + +Brown arose and picked up his hat from the floor. "O, the Cap'n's a +pretty good fellow, but smart, you see! He won't treat these 'ere +natives worse than the next one." + +The friar did not heed him. "This province goes to England, doubtless. +If my little ones are oppressed, I'll appear before the queen and +demand their rights. I'll claim my privilege of speaking in the House +of Commons. The plagues of Egypt will fall on a land which permits +such infamy." + +"Excuse me, Reverend, I'll be going." + +"O, good-day, my friend. Remember, 'Yes.' Shall I write it, or will +you remember it?" + +"I can recollect it all right. Good-day, Reverend." + +Brown made his way toward the lodge. "Well, this 'ere does beat all +Harry." He paused and looked around the courtyard. "Well, this 'ere +does beat all Harry! England, hey? Well, by gosh! Not much! Big +game! Big game! I attend my own business pretty much, but here is the +time for bein' nosy." + +The porter opened the gate for him to pass out. + +"I'm going' to see the 'seenyore' across the way, then I start for an +interview with the Cap'n," spoke Brown to himself. + +Filipo admitted him at the Mendoza gate and brought him to the +Administrator. + +"Ah! Señor Brown, a moment's chat with you." + +"I'd rather talk than eat." + +"You shall do both." + +A peon brought in refreshments. + +"My good Brown, it is wiser that you stay here to-night." + +"Simply can't do it. One reason is, the Cap'n's business. The other +is, my own business." + +"At any rate, partake of the food and wine. You can the better go on +your journey." + +Brown did as invited. After a moment he said: "Aren't some folks doin' +more or less pull-hauling toward makin' California English territory?" + +"It is true. Haven't you known it for some time?" + +"Well, I should say not!" contemptuously. + +"Your preferences are not English?" + +"My family," emphatically, "has spilled too much blood fighting 'em, +for that. Not," apologetically, "but what some pretty good Britishers +exist; but if anybody gets this country, it's Uncle Sam." + +"Have you spoken in this way to the Captain?" + +"Haven't got round to it yet. You bet I do before this time to-morrow. +Then I strike the long trail back to old Missouri, either on ship or on +shank's mare." + +"If you leave your present employment at any time, I wish you would +apply to me before going farther. Well, here comes my daughter." + +Carmelita greeted the American cordially. "I am delighted to see you +in my father's house." + +"I reckon it's a good place to be in. Wish I could stay longer, but +I'm anxious to get to Monterey." + +He was obdurate to Mendoza's urging him to remain as his guest till +more could be learned as to the renegades. + +"I can travel by night along a trail I know. They won't see I'm not +one of themselves. All men look alike in the dark." + +Mendoza, greatly reluctant, allowed Brown to be off. He sent a strong +guard of fighting peons with him. + +"Reckon it's the proper caper to travel in style now I'm a landed +proprietor. Gosh! Wouldn't my dad be proud to see me now!" + +"When you come to this house you come to your own," the host had +insisted at parting. + +"Mr. Mendoza is a tolerable generous old gent," Brown remarked to the +leader of peons who rode by his side. + +"No sabe, señor." + +"Well, your ignorance is thick enough to be cut with a knife. Hey?" + +"No sabe, señor." + +"Well," resignedly, "that is about all I've been able to get out of men +like you for months." + +They were presently in San José. The pueblo was in an almost +hysterical state. Morando had drawn with him nearly all the men +capable of bearing arms. Rumors were flying about that the Spanish +force had been cut to pieces and that Yoscolo was about to descend on +the country. + +Brown did not understand a word of what was being said. He insisted on +starting for Monterey. The peon leader ordered his men to detain him +by force. + +"Gosh darn yer! Gosh darn yer!" the American shouted. "Leggo my +horse! Leggo my horse, I say!" + +He loosed both feet from the stirrups and kicked lustily. The natives +grasped his legs and hung on like pendant weights despite the rear of +the mount. He cut about him with his riding-whip. The peons literally +swarmed over him, pinioning his arms from front and behind, meanwhile +shouting objections, curses, explanations in mingled Spanish and Indian. + +"Shut off your gibberish! Shut off your gibberish, I say! I've got to +light out o' here. Get off my back! I've got to get the Cap'n," Brown +yelled. + +"I'm here, Brown." + +Farquharson had ridden up unobserved. + +"I heard things were stirring around here and I came to find out about +it," he continued. "I knew I should meet you on the way." + +The peons released Brown at a word from the Englishman. + +"These men were saying you must stay here and help defend the women and +children." + +"Cap', I'm mighty glad to see you. Well, what about the women and +children?" + +"It will not be necessary. Yoscolo has been bested. The fight is +over, and the wounded are already nearing the outskirts of the pueblo +here." + +"All well and good. Now, Cap', the padre's word to you is 'Yes.'" + +"I understand, Brown." + +"Now I have a word." + +"Very well." + +Brown dismounted and came close to Farquharson. "Are you aimin' to +turn California over to the British?" + +The Captain smiled broadly. "Now, see here, Brown, we've got along +famously for months. You haven't asked questions and haven't suffered +any loss by not doing so. Now let things run along the same old way. +You've been useful to me. I'll see you get a great deal more than the +money I've paid you month by month." + +"Cap', you can explain away things about the best of any man I ever +saw; but this here is principle with me. There isn't any explaining it +away. As I said, I don't care a durn for this country. It's too fur +out. But if I help anybody get it, that anybody is Uncle Sam." + +"Now, Brown, that's sentiment. Your Uncle Sam doesn't want the +country. If he does, why hasn't he made it his own long ago? The +truth is, the United States already has more territory than it knows +what to do with. England can use California to splendid advantage. +The people here are crying for her to come. Brown, her coming is +inevitable." + +"Perhaps so. Just the same, I don't put my shoulder to her wheel and +push her in here. No, sir!" + +Farquharson placed his hand on Brown's arm. "See here, my friend, I +don't forget you risked your life for me that afternoon in Monterey." + +"That's all right, Cap'. I'll remark here, there's nothing personal to +you in my present position." + +"Well, stay with me. Ask no questions, and I'll see you have a grant +of land here twenty times the size of your average Missouri farm." + +"Not if I'm to help you or anyone to make this place over to England. +Whatever I've done in that way previous was without my knowledge." + +"Brown, we shall leave our hill-camp immediately and live in Monterey. +You will have nothing to do but carry messages for me. Stay on, now, +like a good fellow, and in a half dozen years you can visit your old +Missouri home as a rich man." + +"No use, Cap'. I've never been so sorry to quit a man, but I have to +go." + +"Well, Brown, if being a landed proprietor doesn't appeal to you, why +not stay on the basis of the friendship that has grown between us?"' + +"I'm your friend all right, Cap', but I can't do a thing that would +make my old pop back in Missouri ashamed of me. Don't ask that." + +O'Donnell appeared from somewhere. Powder-stains streaked his hair, +face, and beard. His clothing was cut and torn, but his step was +steady and firm. His eyes looked straight into Farquharson's. The +Englishman returned him look for look. + +"Brown, you know where to find me." The Captain held out his hand. + +Brown shook it warmly. "Good-by, Cap'." + +Farquharson mounted his horse and moved slowly away. O'Donnell and +Brown were left alone. + +"You and your 'Cap'n' have been having words?" O'Donnell asked. + +"Sounded like it, did it?" + +"I presume you do not know he is in the province for political reasons?" + +"If I was of an inquiring turn of mind, I'd ask what business it is of +yours whether I do or not." + +O'Donnell laughed. "No business at all, friend Brown--no business at +all. I happen to be a lover of the Stars and Stripes; consequently, no +friend of Captain Farquharson's political intrigues here. Do you +understand?" + +"More or less. It's the Stars and Stripes for me too, every time!" + +"You are a likely-looking man. Since you have left Farquharson I'll +offer you place with me. You will find it active, full of excitement, +and with pay not small." + +"Thank you, Mr. Irishman, but I don't intend to work any more for +strangers. It's like buying a pig in a sack. 'Seenyore' Mendoza +offered me two things this afternoon, one was his house and farm, +t'other was a job. I'll think I'll take the job. Otherwise, it's me +for old Missouri." + +O'Donnell again laughed. "Very well, then, take service with Señor +Mendoza. I'll ride to Mission San José later in the evening, and I +intend to call on Mendoza myself. Would be glad of your company, if +you'll come along with me." + +The wounded began to come in on improvised litters. O'Donnell and +Brown gave their assistance toward bringing them into comfortable +quarters. Many of the men did not return from the field of La Cuesta +de los Gatos. There was lamentation in hacienda house and in peon cot +that night in the valley of Santa Clara. + +"There's nothing more for us to do here, Brown. Are you ready to start +for Mendoza's?" It was midnight and the wounded had been cared for. + +"All right. I'll go with you." + +They set out, the fighting peons following, their ranks sadly decimated +by the afternoon fight. + +"Blamed sorry to leave the Cap'n," Brown volunteered. "He's a decent +chap, and smart--well, about the best educated man I ever saw--and +spunky--I'll never forget how he half raised up from that stair-landing +in Monterey, like a shot weasel standing off a pack of dogs. Fire was +just spitting from his eyes--just spitting!" + +"But his politics," O'Donnell interpolated. + +"His politics ain't mine," Brown sighed. + +They rode on in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + SEÑORA VALENTINO AND CAPTAIN MORANDO + CONTINUE CONVERSATION + +"Saul has slain his thousands, but David his tens of thousands. I +greet you, Captain Morando." + +Morando bowed. + +"A chair, Captain. My good brother-in-law the Colonel Barcelo awakes +soon, I'm sure." + +"If you do not mind, Señora Valentino, let us walk up and down this +wide veranda. I think you were doing so a moment ago." + +"Quite right, Señor Captain." + +The señora and the soldier were on a long balcony in the second story +of the Barcelo mansion. It ran along the street side of the house and +across one end. The cool wind from the Monterey Bay crept along the +street, mounted to the porch, and breathed gently there. The leaves +crinkled under the chill and the flower petals shrank within themselves. + +"Benito had strict orders to keep awake and bring you here the moment +you arrived, Captain." + +"The watchful sentinel was indeed awake and lost no time in showing me +here, señora." + +"At midnight I left the Colonel and his council. They had just +finished reading the dispatches you sent. They expected you and your +prisoners along shortly. They were to wait for you in these chairs, +but I fancy the cool morning invited them within. I fancy, again, one +could easily find the Colonel and his council." She shrugged and +laughed. They paused just opposite a wide-open door. Within were +several men, in easy chairs, fast asleep. Colonel Barcelo, especially, +was breathing stoutly. Two soldiers, evidently detailed as orderlies, +were on guard. They rose from their chairs, saluted the Captain, and +again seated themselves, all silently as if in pantomime. + +The señora and the Captain continued their walk. + +"I expected to arrive here much sooner, but had difficulty in getting +enough horses. We were obliged to sequester a number from the Mission +Santa Clara. Many mounts, as well as many men, were killed or maimed +in the fight, and we had nearly two hundred prisoners to transport to +the military prison here." + +"Ah, Captain, my heart rejoices in your victory and in your safety. Do +you soldiers ever think that while you are away fighting we women are +home inactive, save in prayer, waiting, longing for word of you, yet +dreading to hear it when it comes? In the rush of battle, amigo, does +one little thought ever go back to these waiting ones?" + +"My good señora, not a moment since I left you two days ago has the +thought of one woman been absent from me. Yesterday, in that desperate +hand-to-hand fight, time after time we were hard pressed, and the +memory-picture of her moved my soul and placed a giant's strength in my +arm. The men caught my spirit." + +"The thought of one woman, Captain?" + +"Yes, señora. It may be women little realize the part they have in +bringing to success many a perilous enterprise." + +"It is good to hear you say that, my Captain." + +"Señora, often when we are most occupied there runs in us an +undercurrent of thought which reaches a surer conclusion, perhaps, than +could our conscious reason. In these past busy hours my deeper self +has lived again and again in the words you and I spoke that morning in +the reception room below. When opportunity comes I shall give you +further confidences of my heart." + +"I am greatly complimented by what you tell me." + +"Had I but time that morning I should have gone to greater length. My +dear señora, a common bond unites you and me. Providence, I doubt not, +has brought us together in understanding, after all these years, that +we may help each other." + +"Captain, I--I feel--I need help. And you--you----" + +"My good señora, I shall give help as I can. From you I ask the same +consideration. That morning I was about to say to you----" + +The church bell rang. The hour was six, the time for the morning +Angelus. + +"The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary," Colonel Barcelo's voice +repeated half sleepily. The soldiers and the council all joined in the +morning prayer. + +"I must have nodded," the Colonel added. "A moment ago I was the only +one awake around here, but I didn't care to disturb these civilians who +aren't accustomed to night duty," looking indulgently at his council. +"But as for the soldiers," glaring at the orderlies, "why, they simply +are no soldiers at all. Many's the time I've gone eighty hours without +sleep, eighty hours, señors! and never closing an eye. Why, bless my +soul! here is Morando, a trifle dusty and smoke-stained, but still +fresh as a rose. Congratulation, good Captain! I'm glad you rubbed +out that rascally Indian. Why, here's Señora Valentino also! I +suppose the Angelus bell aroused you. Well, I was awake. Sit down, +Morando. Take this easy chair." + +The Colonel arose and walked about the room. "Well, tell us about the +fight--I'm beginning to get hungry." + +"Lieutenant Mesa, who came to you last night, told you, I'm sure, all +there is to tell. One of the prisoners, however, told me something +interesting about the Americano O'Donnell and Yoscolo." + +"Ah! O'Donnell," from Señora Valentino. "Let us hear about it." + +"I wondered why Yoscolo deserted the coast range whence he could have +easily reached the high Sierras and safety," began Morando. "This +Indian prisoner told me that Yoscolo abandoned the Sierras for fear of +O'Donnell himself." + +"For fear of O'Donnell!" Barcelo ejaculated in contempt. "That Indian +was simply talking nonsense. I've seen this O'Donnell around +here--some nondescript fellow. Besides, O'Donnell wasn't in the +Sierras at all, but right along with you. Well, we'll all feel better +when we've had some breakfast." + +"What further did your informant say, Captain Morando?" Señora +Valentino persisted. + +"Yoscolo thought O'Donnell had gone to the far-western plains. The +Americano is most influential there with high chiefs. So, our Yoscolo +intended to raid the missions and haciendas, hold Spanish men and women +for ransom and make his way with the proceeds to Northern Mexico, all +before O'Donnell should return. He knew the Americano could overwhelm +him with those plains natives, if he wished. But O'Donnell had not yet +gone to the plains. Yoscolo only became aware of this after he began +raiding. Accordingly, he left the neighborhood of danger, and was on +his way along the coast to Mexico, for safety, when we overtook him at +Los Gatos." + +"Simply preposterous! Simply preposterous! what the Indian told you," +puffed Barcelo. "Well, it was as good a way as any to pass a weary +journey. But let's go to breakfast." + +"Whither went O'Donnell after the action at Los Gatos?" still persisted +Señora Valentino. + +"After giving aid to the wounded in San José he rode to the house of +Señor Mendoza." + +Señor Barcelo appeared on the veranda. + +"Crisostimo, will you kindly tell our amigos that breakfast will be +ready in fifteen minutes? Silvia and you, Crisostimo, help me show +them rooms where they may prepare. Sister, love, have a care for your +arm. Come, amigos, come." + +The guests were soon disposed to their rooms. + +As they left the breakfast table, Señora Valentino said to Morando: +"Captain, shall we not continue the conversation interrupted by the +ringing of the Angelus?" + +"With great pleasure, my señora." + +"Let us go into the courtyard garden." + +Colonel Barcelo and his councilors returned to the upper veranda. + +"I'll have to be at the castle when Morando turns these prisoners over +to me formally, and withdraws his own men. I'll see to it that horses +will be there for us, and we'll go out on a tour of inspection," +Barcelo said. + +"How softly the morning light comes into the patio, Captain!" as they +were sitting together under a locust tree. + +"I can scarcely realize that the same sun shines here and on that scene +of death of few hours' ride away. As I sit here with you in this quiet +and peace the other seems a dream, an awful dream, señora." + +"But you are with me, and yesterday has gone the way of all other days +that are past. The future, if we are willing, may hold many happy +years for us." + +"I pray so, my good señora." + +The señora lowered her eyes, and bowed gently. + +"Our lives are empty; yours, because it has never been filled. Hence +there is greater hope for you than for me." + +"What do you mean, Captain?" + +"You have been frank with me. I will be the same with you. Fate +brought me to far-away California. I chanced to meet the one who from +the first filled my heart, my soul. I sang beneath her window. She +laughed. Sometimes I thought she encouraged me. Sometimes, again, she +flouted me. Nevertheless, I dared hope she cared for me. Now I know +she did not." + +The Captain paused in thought. + +The señora did not speak. + +Finally Morando continued: "More than once I tried to tell her I loved +her, but she held me at arm's length. The night of the baile, at +Mission San José, I believed my opportunity had come. She listened to +me, favorably I was sure; but there was an interruption from her +partner for the next dance. When again she was alone I pressed my +suit. It was in vain. She seemed changed--offended. Yesterday I was +at her father's house. I talked with her. At first she listened most +graciously; then, in some way, I offended her still more. I am +speaking of the Señorita Carmelita Mendoza, señora." + +"Captain," came slowly from the señora, "we were speaking the other day +of the face of the window pane in old Pilar Convent." + +"I shall never forget, my dear señora." + +"That face called in you to the primeval love every man has for an +ideal woman. For her your heart had been unconsciously searching. The +Señorita Mendoza seemed to you to fulfill that ideal. You went to her +with words of love. She could not reciprocate. Does it not mean that +you must look beyond the beautiful child of Señor Mendoza for the +realization of your heart's desires?" + +Morando looked straight at the señora. "Señora Valentino, I love the +Señorita Mendoza with every fiber of my being. I shall never cease to +love her. I could not bear to stay here and see her the wife of +another man. Therefore I have resolved to go away. + +"But, my dear Captain, time has worked wonders. It may do so for you." + +Morando shook his head. "Nothing can alter my love for the señorita +doña." + +"Ah, Captain! You believe that the señorita doña fulfills your ideal; +yet you cannot wed her. There may be another destined to fit into the +high place to which you, not knowing, have called this child. Think, +my friend, may it not be so?" + +"It cannot be. Señora Valentino, now that I have lost Señorita +Mendoza, the memory-pictures of her come to me with tenfold intensity. +I saw her, as if near me, on the battlefield. I dreamed of her in the +short hours of sleep that have been mine since I last saw her. Yes, +dear friend, even now, as you sit by, with words of comfort for me, I +see plainly the face and form of Carmelita Mendoza. She seems even +more present to me than are you." + +The señora arose. + +He stood beside her. "I thank you for listening to me. Wheresoever I +may be I shall never forget you." + +"Let us again be seated." + +"Thank you, señora." + +"I soon return to Europe," the señora said. "My work here is really +done. Great Britain gains another province, and will be +correspondingly thankful to her who was useful in bringing about the +transfer. Good Captain, I have other claims on Great Britain's good +will. Should you desire some important post on the continent, or +elsewhere, I can see to it that the diplomatic interest of England is +used to secure it for you. Since you feel you must leave here, my +Captain, return to Europe, take what good fortune sends you, and again +you will be the knight of the Lady of the Window Pane, and she will +rejoice in the victories you win for her." + +Morando lifted the señora's hand to his lips. "Do not think I am +unmindful, kind friend, of your goodness to me. I appreciate it most +sincerely. But, señora, I could not accept your generous offices." + +"But, Captain, there are many aspirants for the high places. Worth is +but one of the requirements. Another is to have a friend at court. I +can point out to you the short paths to preferment, and can assist you. +I soon return to Europe. Why not you do the same?" + +"Again I thank you, señora. Europe is too crowded; therefore I left +it. I could not accept preferment there, or here, unless I had earned +it. South America offers to me the most inviting field at this time. +Before long I shall turn my steps in that direction." + +"You are diffident, Captain, and overscrupulous. Europe is the world. +Go there. Accept what offers itself, and you will find your +capabilities are equal to the task." + +Again Morando shook his head. "Señora Valentino, there is one thing +that I would like to ask you to do for me." + +"Yes, Captain." + +"I seem to make matters worse by speaking to Señorita Mendoza myself. +Would you go to her and tell her for me that--O, that--that I didn't +know of her engagement to Peralta, and that I had no wish to annoy her, +and all that? Explain it all to her. You will know better what to say +than I can tell you--only tell her that, no matter what, I shall always +love her truly, and that I shall never love anyone else." He bowed his +head in his hands, overcome by his own thoughts. + +She arose quickly, her eyes striking fire. He was too preoccupied to +notice. Her hands clenched and then relaxed, in excess of nervous +tension. + +"You wish me to tell the señorita that you love her, that you meant no +offense in so telling her----" + +Colonel Barcelo's loud voice called, "Morando! Morando! I say, +Morando!" + +The Captain aroused himself. "Here, Colonel. Here in the garden." + +The Colonel rushed into the patio, mopping his face with his +handkerchief. + +"What do you suppose that Stanislaus of yours has done now, Captain? +What do you suppose he has done, I say?" + +"What has he done, Colonel?" + +"Done! Why, my council and I were to inspect some irrigating ditches +in the hills, to see the dams were well built and all that, so the town +would be in no danger of inundation. Do you understand?" The Colonel +glared around. "Well, the horses were tied outside the castle for the +use of myself and my council in this work of inspection--in this work +of inspection, do you understand? Well, your men looked bedraggled and +tired, Morando. I didn't wait for you to come, but relieved them and +put my own soldiers on guard." + +"But the prisoners----" Morando began. + +"That's just what I'm coming to. Do be patient! In the exchange of +guards some of the prisoners walked out--coolest thing I ever heard +of--took rifles from the racks, and actually mounted the horses in +front of the castle, and rode away! I tell you, _rode away_!" + +Barcelo paused for breath. "I saw them going and gave the alarm," he +went on, after a moment. "Yes, I saw that rascal Stanislaus +riding--riding away to safety. I saw it myself--I saw----" + +Further words failed the Colonel. + +The sound of cavalry was heard in the street. + +"The pursuit!" cried Morando and started for the patio gate. + +"Yes, yes, the pursuit!" panted Barcelo and rolled after him. + +Señora Valentino listened while Morando's clarion voice ordered the +movements of the cavalry, and heard the noise of the horses' hoofs die +out in a distant rumble. + +"Our Colonel was out of breath and could not order the march of his +men, therefore our valiant Captain does it for him!" she thought. Then +she smiled bitterly. "I have laid bare my very soul before that man, +and he could see nothing. He saw only that child, Carmelita Mendoza. +What fatality is it that closes the eyes of the one man to me and makes +him see only this miss of the province?" + +Again, after a little: "Yes, I'll see his señorita for him, tell her he +loves her, and doesn't mean his blunderings. Yes, I'll tell her. The +fool! Yes, I'll----" + +The señora walked away, her eyes glittering. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +BITTER SWEET + +"Carmelita, little heart, how is it with thee?" + +"Well, señora doña; many thanks. And thou?" + +"As you see." Señora Valentino held up her injured wrist neatly +bandaged. + +"I could not allow many days to go by without riding over to thank you +and your father, the noble Señor Administrator, for the wonderful night +of enjoyment you gave us in that grand baile. The thought of it fairly +possesses me now, as it was some beautiful dream and I was scarce awake +from sleep. A thousand thanks, señorita doña, to you and to Señor +Mendoza. I hope the señor is well." + +Señora Valentino and Carmelita were standing within the reception room, +near the open doorway, of the Mendoza hacienda house. The grateful +coolness of the hall was in strong contrast to the heat of the summer +sun which lay over grounds and house. + +"You are good, señora. My father has been away since yesterday. I +shall make your words known to him on his return. On my own part I +thank you for them." + +Señora Valentino placed her well arm around the girl. "The beautiful +hostess of a beautiful home is the Señorita Mendoza." + +"Will you not step within, señora? All that you see is yours." + +Carmelita moved toward the inner room, thus disengaging the señora's +arm. + +"With much pleasure, señorita." + +Shortly the two were seated. + +"How refreshing is this inner air," remarked the señora. "The +afternoon brings warmth and drowsiness, but this is delightful." + +"Modesta," from Carmelita to her maid who appeared in response to the +tinkle of a bell, "some tea and dulces at once." + +Without delay the refreshments appeared. + +"Sugar, señora mia?" the young hostess holding up a delicate gold +spoon. "Yes. And dulces? Modesta, take this to Señora Valentino. +Have a care for her bandaged wrist." + +"Mille gracias, little hostess mine." Then, sipping the tea and +nibbling the cakes, "These are delicious after the ride, señorita doña." + +"Have you come far, señora?" + +"From the hacienda house of Señor Calderon, near San José pueblo. +Merely a matter of two hours or so, but I seem to tire easily since my +arm was injured. Still, what of it? Soon it is well and then +forgotten. It is the way of unpleasant things, señorita. They slip +away and we know them no more. Well, if it were otherwise, perhaps +half of the world would be enemy to the other half." + +She laughed merrily and the hostess politely joined. + +"Yet, in forgetting the unfortunate incident I would not, if I could, +forget the kindly ministrations of our dear friend Captain Morando. We +were riding along in the romantic coolness of early dawn--absorbed in +other things, you know--not noting or caring"--smiling knowingly into +the other's face--"when that dreadful creature assailed me with its +beak and claws." The señora turned away with a little shudder. Then, +as if half absently: "But our soldier lad--how gently he cared for me. +When I awakened--my head pillowed against his breast as a child lying +close to its mother's heart." Starting up, "But, Carmelita mia, I must +not distress you. I am an unworthy disciple of my own creed, for one +minute I advocate forgetting troubles, then I straightway recount them; +but then, you see," looking down, "my troubles in this particular were +most sweetly intermingled." She laughed and immediately changed the +subject. "When do you expect the señor your noble father to return?" + +"I do not know the time of his return, señora." + +"Has he gone far?" + +"When he left he did not tell me his destination, so I fancy he has not +gone to any great distance." + +"Ah, well! We women wait while the men travel forth to dare and do. +It's the way of the world." + +The woman and the girl sat facing each other. The closed shutters +excluded the sun, but the warm light of a California summer day glowed +in the room. Less than five years divided the ages of the matron and +the maid. At first sight it might seem that the difference was +greater. The tightly fitting riding-habit of the señora added a +maturity to her look which was not usual, while the looser afternoon +gown of the girl gave her an uncommonly youthful appearance. Carmelita +was somewhat taller than the señora and more slender. + +"I hope your arm has not greatly inconvenienced you," from Carmelita, +by a strange perversity reverting to the matter so lightly dismissed by +the señora a moment ago. + +"Yes, and no, señorita. The wound is sometimes painful, but the +solicitude of those about me shows me I have a place in their hearts--a +pleasant knowledge--an anodyne, so to speak." She put her hand up to +her head in a childish way which was very becoming. Her oval face +beamed with friendliness, while her brown eyes smiled sweetly. She was +a very handsome young woman, apparently very friendly and very +genuinely interested in the girl before her. Carmelita was not +insensible to her charm. + +"You have a place in the hearts of many, señora. Surely you could +never doubt it." + +"Well, perhaps not. Still, one wishes outward expression of inward +regard. Otherwise, how can one be sure it exists?" + +Señorita Mendoza said nothing. + +"Then, too, we wish, naturally, to know just how a certain very few +stand toward us--sometimes just how a certain one person feels toward +us. Now, there are some who are very good to all. Their hearts are +kind naturally, and they give generous words and deeds to anyone who +needs them. Is it not so, señorita?" + +"I believe you speak truly, señora doña." + +The señora's laugh was merry as she said: "A wise puss you are. Well, +this generous, free-for-all kindness is good, but not entirely +satisfactory. Each person has an ideal, and when we see that ideal +realized in some concrete person we want that person to be good to us +alone. Do you not agree, señorita?" + +"It would be presuming in me to contradict the señora." + +"Ah! I said you are a wise puss, my señorita; and so you are, very +wise. Well, wisdom is the heritage of our old Castilian families. +Truly, our fathers have thought of much and have done much in the +generations that have been lived. What wonder if the rich, pure gold +of experience falls to us, the heirs of the past, from the +melting-furnace of departed years. What think you, little lady?" + +"Your thoughts rise above me, Señora Valentino." + +The señora laughed and bowed, as if in acceptance of some compliment. + +The peona Modesta appeared in the doorway, curtseying several times. +"May I speak, señorita doña?" + +"Speak, Modesta." + +"The post surgeon from San José is here to see the wounded soldiers in +our infirmary. He wishes to leave some directions with you." + +"What soldiers does the peona mean, señorita?" + +"Some disabled men Captain Morando left with us the other day." + +"O, indeed! My husband was an officer, and I am always much interested +in soldiers, especially those injured on the field of battle. In San +José yesterday I visited the improvised hospitals. I should like +greatly to see the men you have here and express my appreciation of +their good work." + +"Why, certainly, señora. Will you excuse me for a few minutes now +while I speak to the doctor?" + +The señora listened to the sound of voices in the corridor. A demure +look stole over her face. She arched her shoulders coquettishly. + +"Yes, I'll tell the Señorita Mendoza that Captain Morando loves her +deeply and meant no harm when he proposed to her. I'll do just as the +gallant Captain asked me to do. The fool!" + +A look of weariness possessed her almost immediately. "O, this life! +this life! Political intrigue! and counter intrigue! all heartless and +unfeeling as a surgeon's knife. God of my heart! why has destiny +discovered such a groove for me? And yet--and yet--what would life be +without it--without ambition? A body without a soul." + +After a moment she arose, her hands clinching. + +"The gallant Captain shall come to me and sue for my love, if for no +other reason than because I have humbled myself before him. I will it! +I will it! As for this puss--this wise puss--" + +The señorita's steps came quickly along the corridor. She found the +señora sitting in the chair, as she had left her, to all intents musing +the time away. + +"The Captain Morando still pursues Stanislaus, the elusive--so I heard +this morning in San José. My brother-in-law, the Colonel Barcelo, has +returned to Monterey in disgust, having given up the chase. You know +the old saying, señorita, 'The braver in war, the keener in love.' The +Captain is both a brave soldier and a keen lover." The señora's +full-throated, musical laugh seemed out of place. + +Carmelita was very quiet as she asked: "What do you mean, señora doña?" + +"Why, dear child, I mean that a braver man has never drawn sword in the +Californias, and surely no one doubts his earnestness in making love." + +The girl's face flushed. + +"Did you know that the Captain and I first knew each other about ten +years ago? No? The inception of our acquaintance was quite +interesting. Would you like to hear about it?" + +"If the señora wishes to tell of it." + +"Well, after all, not so much to tell--a schoolgirl and schoolboy +flirtation." She sighed very prettily as she spoke. "I was fourteen, +he eighteen." + +"I knew that you and Captain Morando had met in Spain, but I did not +think it so long ago as that." + +"Yes, ten years, ten long years," opening her eyes in mock seriousness. +"For three years this went on--three whole years, then--" + +"Excuse me, please, but some of the physician's orders are to be +carried out at once. I must send a peona to see about it. May I leave +you alone again for a few moments?" + +"Certainly, querida, certainly. The story will keep. I also have +another story of love to tell you. We shall be quite sentimental." + +The girl stepped into the corridor and gave some orders to a servant. +The young peona wondered that her mistress's face was stern and her +tone sharp. + +"Now, señorita mia, time is going, and we will pass over my own little +romance, and I will begin with the other tale of love." This from the +señora when Carmelita had returned. "Are you ready to listen?" + +The girl so signified. + +"From speaking of our--our youthful flirtation--the good Captain came +to tell me of the grand passion of his heart." + +"Señora Valentino, I mean no discourtesy to a guest, but why do you +tell me this?" + +"Because, my dear, it concerns you most especially. The other day, in +Monterey, Captain Morando and I were speaking most intimately, as +becomes old friends. What harm? The Captain confided in me; nay more. +He gave me a message to bring to you. 'I now love the Señorita +Carmelita Mendoza,' he said. 'I pressed my suit the night of the +baile. At first she listened to me. I had heart. I had courage. +Then she changed. She flouted me. Something had offended her, I know +not what. Will you not see her, the beautiful Carmelita, and explain +to her I meant no harm. I--'" + +The señorita sprang to her feet, her breast heaving. + +"Señora Valentino, I cannot listen to you. Even though you are a guest +of this house, I cannot--" + +"Nay, nay, little child. Don't be so hasty. I am commissioned to set +matters right between you two. Be seated now, my señorita, and hear me +to the end. Please be seated. I am bungling in my mode of expression, +I know. Pray be seated." + +Carmelita took her chair once more. + +The señora leaned toward her confidingly, her brown eyes looking +straight at the girl, and her voice low and sweet. + +"Now, I'll try again, little one. The Captain said to me, in effect, +that at first the señorita listened to him the night of the baile; she +allowed him to hold her hand; her eyes dropped. She--" + +"Señora Valentino, I request that this conversation cease, and that you +do not again mention to me the name of Captain Morando." + +"But, my dear señorita--" + +"I request that you do as I ask, señora." + +"I can, of course, but do as you wish. I assure you, it is not a +pleasant task for me to speak of these matters. It is only from an +urgent desire to serve my friend who asked this of me. The other day +some one, in speaking of Captain Morando, said that it is easy for +young men to fall in love; and, indeed, to fall out of it--but, away! +those threadbare sayings! The heart of Don Alfredo is loving and warm. +Do I not know it? Had it not been for the dashing Colonel Valentino--" +Then suddenly, "O, señorita, a man cannot forgive everything even in a +woman he loves. If you do not listen to his suit it may be too late, +and you will live to regret, even as I--" She stopped, apparently +absorbed in thought of the past. + +The girl arose. "Señora Valentino--" she began. + +The señora extended her unbandaged hand. "I have tried to perform a +difficult and a distasteful task. I trust some good will come of it. +I will say but one thing more: Do not trifle too far with Captain +Morando." + +"Captain Morando is nothing to me; nor can he ever be. I would not +wish it otherwise." + +"Well, señorita, I have fulfilled my promise. I have done my duty. +Shall we now visit the wounded soldiers?" + +"If you so desire, Señora Valentino." + +The two passed out of the house, and across the courtyard to the +hospital department of the Mendoza hacienda. + +Five of Captain Morando's men lay on cots in a large, well-lighted +ward. Señora Valentino went from one to another making inquiries and +speaking words of encouragement. One of the men had been in Morando's +company in the North Africa campaigns, and had taken service again +under him in California. + +"I regret, señora and señorita, that I am disabled, and cannot be with +my Captain in this present fighting," he said. + +"No doubt, good man," replied Señora Valentino. + +"My Captain was the handsomest and the best man in General Guerrero's +division," the soldier went on. + +"You are loyal," commented the señora. + +"With good reason. I have followed him into the thick of battle. I +have followed him through the enemy's camp; and," laughing, "I have +followed him when he galloped across country to tinkle his guitar +beneath the window of the beautiful one--" + +"In Spain, or North Africa?" interrupted the señora jokingly. + +"I tell no tales out of school," rejoined the man, continuing the +banter. + +"You interest me, as all soldiers do," from the señora. "Are you not +one of the picked fighting men whom your Captain keeps near him for +emergencies?" + +"Yes, señora. The morning Captain Morando was called from his visit to +Colonel Barcelo, in Monterey, he had made me first sergeant. Thus I +held his horse, Señora Valentino, while he was within speaking with +you. You see, I know, kind lady. Benito, the porter, told me--" + +"Hush, man; remember you are wounded." + +"Benito told me," the soldier insisted. "Benito told me--" he laughed. + +"Ah! wounded men have strange dreams. I doubt not, you have been +dreaming." + +"I think you have talked already as much as the physician's orders will +allow," interposed Carmelita. + +"Of that I am sure," agreed the señora. "Come, señorita doña, let us +be going. Now," shaking her finger at the soldier, "see that your +dreams follow a more orderly fashion." + +"But," Benito said, "soon the San José Captain leads our beautiful +señora to the padre. The Captain rides much beside her--" + +"Not another word, Sergeant. Now, I bid you good afternoon." + +She walked toward the door. + +"Forgive me, señora," called the sergeant, anxiously. "Benito spoke as +if everyone knew already. Maybe I wouldn't have presumed to say +anything--leastwise to yourself--if that blow on the head the other day +hadn't loosened my tongue as well as my teeth--" + +"Not another word," from Carmelita, firmly. + +"Señorita," spoke Señora Valentino, when once more they were in the +courtyard, "fate seems to keep Captain Morando's name before us." + +Carmelita did not reply. The woman and the girl walked slowly along +the broad gravel walk toward the entrance of the hacienda house. + +"Our gay and handsome Captain may have lost his heart and found it a +score of times. Quién sabe? What would you? It is the way of men. +But what need have I to tell a beautiful señorita the way of the +cavalier?" The señora smiled bewitchingly. + +Carmelita bit her lip. Color rose to her face, and her eyes glowed. +She made no reply. + +"Suppose a cavalier boasts of his conquests when, at some general +meeting of the departmental officers, each one, made merry by the +occasion, has taken a glass or two of wine above his custom. What of +it? Was not my husband, Colonel Valentino, an officer? A brave heart +he had, and a loving one. Yet--" The señora laughed. + +Still no word came from Carmelita. + +"Allow me to say that Captain Morando now loves you, and you only. +What of the past? You have his heart now; and I know he has yours. +Why not?" Another bewitching smile. + +Carmelita continued walking by the señora's side, not speaking. + +"If, then, you do not intend to allow the Captain to continue further +his courtship, take his word, passed by him through me, that he meant +no harm." + +From the walk to the house the girl had adroitly turned their steps +toward the courtyard gate. Filipo, the porter, pressed a lever. The +gate swung ajar. Fifty paces away, comfortably waiting under some +shade trees, were the señora's attendant peons. At a word from Filipo +they sprang to horse and rode to the gate in jiglike trot. + +"Now, Señora Valentino," the girl said, "I shall leave word with my +servants that, if you call again, they are to announce to you that I am +not at home." + +A peon had brought the señora's horse. Kneeling he held the stirrup +for her. Nimbly she found her seat. The animal pranced gracefully +from side to side. She swung him toward the gate. + +"Adios!" she called to Carmelita. + +The señorita's trim, straight figure was disappearing behind the slowly +closing gate. + +"A thousand thanks, my courteous hostess." + +Señora Valentino made her way along the San José road. For several +hundred yards she rode in deep thought, a storm of counter currents +rushing over her. + +"Anyway," she reflected, "Morando's course of true love has not been +made more smooth by my visit this day." The accompanying laugh was not +a mirthful one. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A FEW DIPLOMATIC TOUCHES + +"Buenos noches, señores." + +Two men sitting by a fire rose to their feet. + +"Buenos noches," responded one of them. The men moved a little toward +the newcomer, one of them limping considerably, as if injured. + +"I say," came from the lame man, "perhaps this is some one our guide +has sent in search of us." + +"We'll soon see," replied the other, in English. Then in Spanish: "We +are lost here in the forest. Can you tell us where we can find food +and shelter for the night?" + +"Of a surety, señor, of a surety," the stranger replied. "I am +major-domo of Señor Miramonte's hacienda. This is his property here. +The señor and his lady are out, but wayfarer guests are none the less +welcome. I saw your fire and thought some vagrant peons had built it. +We greatly dread forest and pasture fires this time of year. Come, +señors, come with me." + +"He offers us the hospitality of a rancho house." + +"I'll be deuced glad for shelter anywhere," the injured man replied, +both speaking in English. "I'm at home on a ship, but riding a +stiff-backed horse with wooden legs is too much for me. Ugh! I'm sore +as if I'd been put in a sack and beaten with clubs. Besides, I'm +actually seasick. Commodore, think of that! Sea-sick! All for riding +a jointless, iron-jawed broncho." + +The man addressed as "Commodore" laughed. "Maybe riding your horse +over that twenty-foot precipice is a contributary cause to your +soreness, Captain." + +The horseman had dismounted and was carefully extinguishing the fire, +treading on each separate ember until it was out. + +"Gentlemen, will you come with me?" he asked, finally. "I'll bring you +to your own." + +"What does he say?" asked the one who had been called "Captain." + +"He is offering a house after the Spanish custom." + +"Well, indeed! One of the first things I do when I get on shipboard +will be to learn Spanish." + +The one riding moved away from the wide-branching oak, where the fire +had been, out toward the open. It was bright starlight. + +"Let the injured one ride my horse. I will show the path on foot. +Come. It is not far to Señor Miramonte's house." + +The Commodore interpreted this to his companion. + +"If it isn't far I'd rather crawl than ride," the Captain replied. +"Where in the world is the path? It's light enough, but I surely do +not see any. Say, is that fellow an agent for a bandit or something +like that? The pay of an American naval captain is such, you know----" + +"Never fear, Hamilton," laughed the Commodore. "Your pay and mine +combined, for a year, would be hardly more than a bagatelle for one of +these land-and-cattle barons, such as is Miramonte, I believe." + +"You've been here before?" + +"Yes, ten or a dozen years ago. Rode from Yerba Buena to San José +along a road which I trust must be near here, though I couldn't find it +to-day. Went from San José back to San Francisco harbor along the +eastern side of the valley. Remember, Hamilton, what your name is for +the present?" + +"Certainly, I'm plain Smith." + +"And I'm plain Jones." + +They followed the man who was leading the horse. In the open they +could see him easily. In the dense growths they followed by the sound. +Captain Hamilton was becoming greatly fatigued when a number of +well-lighted buildings came into view. Dogs barked and Indian men and +women talked excitedly as the party approached. + +A courtyard gate opened wide to receive them. + +"Behold the bandits' cave, _Smith_!" said the Commodore. + +"I see it, _Jones_," replied the injured man. "I declare, it looks +good to me. Will the head bandit demand that we prove our identity, or +something like that?" + +"I forgot to tell you that the owner of the premises is away at +present. The man who brought us here is major-domo, which might be +translated, overseer. I fancy he is altogether in charge and will make +us as comfortable as we could wish." + +The major-domo gave his horse to a peon, then waved his hand to the +front door of the house. "Gentlemen, it is as I said before. What you +see is yours. Enter your own." + +"I'm willing," agreed Smith when he was told what had been said. "A +bath and a comfortable bed appeal to me just now." + +They were brought to large, airy chambers within. A hot tub-bath was +prepared for Smith; while a peon, skillful in massaging, kneaded his +aching muscles. The injury to his knee, sustained in falling, was +rather severe. The massaging peon bound it tightly with various +poultices of herbs. + +"I say, man, that's too hot," Smith protested. + +Jones grinned. "Perhaps the bandit's servant is preparing you like a +trussed goose." + +"I say, Commodore----" + +"Jones, my friend." + +"Very well, _Jones_. If this confounded thing were around your leg, +you wouldn't laugh. You're my superior officer, and all that----" + +"I'm _Jones_," the other said, emphatically. + +"Pardon me Com----I mean, _Jones_. Oh! Ouch! he's taking those weeds +right out of boiling water and tying them around my smashed knee. I +say, man----" + +The Indian paid no attention to his remonstrances or squirming. + +"Why, Jones! Where did you get those clothes?" + +Jones was attired in the regulation house-dress of the California +grandee, from fluted shirt-front to silver-clasped shoes. + +"Found them in my room, with a peon valet ready to assist me into them. +Doubtless you'll be treated the same way." + +"Well! I'll admire myself. But my bandaged knee wouldn't fit into +such trouserettes as you have on." + +The bandaging was finished at last. The peon spoke to the patient in +Spanish. + +"What is he saying?" + +"Says for you to go to bed soon. In the morning he will remove the +bandages, and hopes your knee will be greatly improved." + +"Go to bed. Well, the quarters are sumptuous enough. High-posted bed, +mahogany bureaus--one, two, three of them; and chairs, mahogany too, +and heavy enough for state occasions. It's all fine, if I only had a +bite of something to eat." + +The major-domo entered the room, several peons following him, carrying +trays on which were steaming dishes. + +Smith was quickly arrayed in a flannel dressing gown. A table was laid +and moved over to his chair. Savory meats, vegetables, and fruits were +ready. Wine was uncorked and placed at the hungry man's hand. + +The major-domo gave some further orders to the peons, and then spoke to +the traveler who understood Spanish. That worthy's eyes twinkled. +"I'm invited to supper with the family, or the part of it in the house. +I hope you'll enjoy your meal, and have a good rest to-night. The +Indian surgeon says if necessary he'll use still hotter and stronger +applications to-morrow." + +Smith was comforting himself with the warm meal. His fellow traveler +followed the major-domo along a corridor, down a short flight of +stairs, to a door which a peon within opened at their approach. The +major-domo bowed low, and left the man standing at the door. + +"In my son's absence I welcome you," said a very kindly voice. "I am +Señor Miramonte's mother." + +"I am delighted to greet you, señora." + +"I regret your companion is injured and unable to dine with us." + +"I trust he'll be well to-morrow." + +"Señor--I do not know your name?" + +"Er-r-Jones." His face flushed a little. + +"Señor Jones, I wish to introduce you to my friend, Señora Valentino, +who is also our guest to-night. Senora Valentino, our esteemed +visitor, the Señor Jones." + +Señora Valentino extended her hand to Jones. "Señor Jones, I am +pleased to see you." A slow, deliberate smile lit up her features. +"Am glad to meet you--here." Her low bow did not wholly cover the +quizzical look which darted from her eyes. + +They were ushered into a dining room where a table generously laid was +before them. + +"Señora Valentino," asked the hostess, "will you not take the head of +the table?" + +The señora complied. + +"I am not very strong these days," the elderly lady explained, "and I +am happy that so fair and clever a hand as Señora Valentino's is here +to manage in serving the dinner." + +Señora Valentino presided gracefully. + +"Señor Jones," she said, with just a hint of emphasis on 'Jones,' "may +I ask if you have been long in Alta California?" + +"Well, no. In fact, only a few days or so." + +The hour of dinner passed pleasantly. Places of interest were spoken +of; men and events discussed. Spain, France, England, were passed in +review. Señora Miramontes was European born. Her husband had been +Spanish ambassador at the great capitals; and the splendid Miramonte +grant in West Santa Clara Valley was his reward for able service. + +"Thirty years and more have I been here," she said. "It was a splendid +wilderness when we came; nevertheless, a wilderness. We have claimed +it for our own, and now it smiles for us. The flag of great Spain once +waved over these valleys. The tread of Spanish friars hallowed the +ground; and God blessed the work of these men with hundredfold +increase. Then the Mexican colors replaced those of Spain. Ah, me! +But Mexico cares nothing for us; and at heart we are still Spaniards. +Yes, Spaniards; never Mexicans!" + +The meal over, the party went to an adjoining room. A fire flickered +on a vast, old-fashioned hearth. Candles were not lighted, and the +shadows danced fitfully on the walls and tapestries of the apartment. + +Señora Miramonte still wished to speak of Europe. + +"My husband was once ambassador at Saint Petersburg. We met there a +Russian who had been in these Californias. He had been in the +diplomatic service here in Monterey, and knew the country well. Knew +it north and south and east and west. 'Soon Spain loses that +country--all of it; for Mexico is going,' were his words; and he was a +very shrewd, far-seeing man. He also said, 'Then the English and the +Americans will come to blows over the empire that in large part is no +man's land. Not twenty years,' he would say, 'after Spain withdraws +from North America, not twenty years will elapse before the British +Lion and the American Eagle will bare the teeth and claws to each other +over these great stretches of wonderful country.'" + +She paused a moment. + +"The British Lion has not yet shown his teeth. He is ready to do so, +just the same. Do we not know of Texas, and the country north of us +here--Oregon they call it? The American Eagle has not yet cried his +war-scream; yet it is swelling in his throat." + +"Madam, you speak of great subjects," was Jones's reply. + +She nodded, the light now playing uninterruptedly over her features +which were still keen and comely. "No. It is my friend, Lomilkovsky, +who does the speaking; and he died sixteen years ago." + +No one broke the silence for several moments. + +"I may have spoken too plainly," the venerable lady went on. "Rarely +has the past opened before me as to-night. Spain cannot win; and, I +say, let the flag rule the Pacific Ocean that can." She arose. +"Señor, you breakfast with us to-morrow. Now, please excuse me, +friends. I must retire. Early hours compel me. Señora Valentino, +will you kindly act as hostess for the rest of the evening in my place?" + +"Certainly, señora, certainly." + +The light shone on her snow-white hair as she bowed her head in final +good night. + +"Well, Señor Jones, the sitting room is pleasant. Shall we return?" +from Señora Valentino. + +"With all my heart." + +The Commodore's features were keen and powerful. Heavy eyebrows stood +out across his forehead. A strong chin, cleft in the middle, balanced +a well-carved nose. His lips shut like the jaws of a trap. His hair, +bushy and dark, glanced grayish in the light. Withal a kindly smile +seemed rarely absent from his face. A martinet on the quarterdeck, off +it he was the most genial of men. + +"I have not inquired how your friend met his accident," from the señora. + +"We set out at daybreak this morning expecting to make our destination +by night. In the afternoon something frightened my friend's horse. It +took the bit in its teeth, and jumped over the bank of a ravine. +Luckily, there was a pond of water at the bottom. My friend was +disabled. The horse escaped despite our guide's efforts to lasso it. +The guide set out to get another mount. Time passed, and he did not +return. I tied my horse, securely, I thought, and climbed a high hill +to get sight of some habitation. I could see none. I returned to find +my own horse gone. Then we set out on foot to find shelter. I knew +the Camino Real was somewhere to the east of us. Our progress was +necessarily slow. Darkness came. After wandering aimlessly for a +while we built the fire which the major-domo saw. Then," smiling, "the +hospitality of California was offered." + +"Señor Miramonte will rejoice, I know, when he learns that Señor Jones +and his friend--the name--I did not hear it----" + +"My friend's name is Smith." + +"Ah!--Smith. Señor Miramonte will rejoice that his house could give +hospitality to the Señors Jones and Smith--unusual names. No?" She +looked him full in the eyes, her smile inscrutable. + +"California's hospitality is proverbial the world over," was his +evasive reply. + +"Ah! yes. Ah! yes. The world over, you say. I too have been much +about. May it not be, Señor--ah!--Jones, that we have met before? Was +it, perhaps, in London three years ago, or, even in your capital, +Washington, two years past?" + +"Señora Valentino, let me say, once having seen you no man could forget +you. It was in Washington, also in London; and, before that, in +Vienna, that I had the pleasure of knowing you." + +"And the Señor Smith, your companion?" smilingly. + +"Madam, I cry a truce of this. I am Commodore Billings, of the +American navy. The man with me is Captain Hamilton, of my flagship. +For the present neither of us cares to be thus known." + +The woman arched her eyebrows. "That is entirely the affair of the +Señor Commodore and the Señor Capitan. Still, why so far from the +flagship?" + +"We were riding incognito through a peaceful and friendly land, señora." + +"Rumors float about, Señor Officer." + +The man looked into the fire for a moment. "Señora Valentino, I have +told you who I am. I will tell you also that I am in command of the +Pacific squadron of the American navy. Will you be as candid with me, +and tell me why you are in this country?" + +She laughed. "You haven't yet told me why you are traveling under an +assumed name; neither, why you are on the mainland of California." + +"Undoubtedly for diversion, señora." + +"Come, Señor Commodore, it is as our hostess said, is it not so? that +the Lion and the Eagle are straining to the contest over spoils vast as +the territory of all Europe. Come, let us be fair with each other. +You are here in the interest of the United States. Some special errand +leads you on a secret journey. An accident brings you and me under the +same roof; and fate, perhaps, leaves us here alone together in +conversation. It may be that you and I could come to some +understanding about affairs of mighty interest. Indeed, it may be, +save two nations from grave misunderstanding." + +His smile was as genial as ever, as he said: "The señora favors Great +Britain in the dispute she alleges may some time arise. Am I not +correct?" + +She bowed. "You met the Señor O'Donnell a week ago, and again four +days ago. Was it at your last meeting he told you of my preferences, +or at the first?" She laughed, and playfully tapped the Commodore's +hand with her fan. + +"Madam, may I say to you that I have letters in my possession from our +State Department, in Washington, which relate not only to your presence +here but which also tell something of your work as England's secret +agent in Alta California." + +Again the woman laughed. "Child's play, Commodore! Child's play! The +man who sent this information to your State Department, in Washington, +is here, and in touch with you. Certainly, he told you as much as he +wrote to Washington." + +The officer made no reply. + +"Commodore Billings, I deal with you, and with you only. I take not +account of the frontiersman, O'Donnell. The United States, though +still young, is a great nation; and should be represented by men such +as you." + +"Señora, O'Donnell has the confidence of Mr. Tyler, President of the +United States." + +"Has your Mr. Tyler the confidence of the republic which made him its +President?" + +There was no reply. + +The señora arose. The jewels in her hair flamed and glittered in the +firelight. A hundred questions seemed to burn in the depths of her +eyes. She extended her hand, as if in gesture. The warrior-diplomat +was impelled to arise also, and to take the hand in his. + +"Señor the Commodore, you go to conference with Mendoza, of Mission San +José. Is it not so?" + +He started to reply, but checked himself. + +"Think on what you do. We of this province--Mendoza and a handful of +others excepted--desire not to be ruled by your nation." + +"Señora Valentino, I am but a student of conditions here." + +She moved closer toward him. He still held her hand. + +"You do not come with prejudged verdict?" In her earnestness she +placed her disengaged hand on his shoulder. + +"Assuredly not. Of course I know the general desire of my government. +Further than that I do what seems wisest." + +"Then consult the people of California. See Padre Osuna, that saintly +Chrysostom of this Western world. Meet Colonel Barcelo, the +acting-governor. Interview Pio Pico, and his brother Andreas. See the +Peraltas, the Carillos. Señor Mendoza represents but few besides +himself." + +She moved away from him. "As to this O'Donnell--O'Donnell! He is a +man with a price on his head, placed there by the English government. +What wonder he intrigues against England!" + +"Some political offense, of course." + +"For attempted murder! He struck down his captain on the parade ground +in Dublin, following an admonition." + +"Zounds, madam!" + +"This would-be assassin carries word to you from Señor Mendoza--why +does he forget he is Colonel Mendoza?--carries word that Mendoza has +wishes for the department of California which differ from the wishes of +the people themselves who comprise this department. Indeed! And who +is this Mendoza? Is he not of a make-up so unrestrained that once, in +a burst of temper, he even burned to the ground his magnificent home? +Ask the people of California if this is not true. Bethink you, my +Commodore." + +"Señora, I ask you, what is in the wind?" + +"Let us be seated, Señor Commodore." + +She looked at him intently. "Texas is free from Mexico. Some of your +States wish to accept the republic of Texas as one of themselves. The +States north of the Mason and Dixon line object. They oppose extension +of Negro slavery. Your President Tyler is on the fence, dangling his +long legs in the air, prepared to jump to either side, as it seems +expedient for him." + +The Commodore covered his mouth with his hand, to conceal an +involuntary smile. + +"Oregon is now jointly held by the United States and England. Some of +your States wish for a part of Oregon. Others make opposition; and the +opposition this time comes from those south of the Mason and Dixon +line. The reason? No possibility of slavery in Oregon. Your +President, from his perch, dangles his long legs yet more alertly." + +Billings now laughed outright. + +"Señora, you are droll." + +"Is what I say not true, my Commodore?" + +"Oregon is ours, my lady, by occupation. Doctor Whitman and his +missionaries live in that country; are Christianizing the Indians, and +drawing settlers from beyond the Mississippi. Oregon is ours, I say, +by right of occupation." + +"A hundred years before your Whitman saw light missionaries from French +Canada lived among those same tribes. England succeeded to the rights +of France. Oregon, then, is England's by this right of occupation of +which you speak." + +"But, the rifles of the American settlers in Oregon! They will speak, +and speak strongly, my lady." + +"But the rifles of the Spanish hacenderos in California, my Commodore! +Can they not speak? Commodore Billings, a shot in California will echo +around the world!" + +She leaned toward him and placed her hand on the arm of his chair. "A +few months ago I saw Doctor McLoughlin, head of the Hudson Bay Company, +at Vancouver. He knows of the work of your missionary Whitman. My +Commodore, twenty British ships-of-war are in the Pacific waters. I +saw them, one and all, on my journey to the North. They are not far +from here." + +"So many, Señora Valentino?" + +"That many." + +"I did not think Admiral Fairbanks----" + +She waited for him to continue. As he did not she went on: + +"That enthusiast, Mendoza, thinks he can persuade you to seize our +capital, Monterey. Suppose you do? The province will seethe in +rebellion, and call to Admiral Fairbanks for aid. He will give it. +That means war. Your United States is unprepared for war at sea. +Mexico then goes under an English protectorate. Texas goes back to +Mexico, and England will then control the Pacific Coast from the +tropics to the Russian line in the far north." + +Both were standing now. + +"Señora Valentino, neither Mendoza, nor anyone, can lead me into an +unconsidered move in this matter." + +"To-night you had an appointment with Mendoza. Fate intervened. +To-morrow sees not the danger removed. He will ask you to seize this +province for the United States. Commodore Billings, ruin comes if you +do." + +"Señora, I have never seen Mendoza." + +"You know of his wishes. Others do." + +"But I shall judge for myself." + +Again her inscrutable smile. "Commodore, I thank you. I mean--that is +to say--I thank you for listening to me to-night. I pray good will +come of it." Her hand was on his arm. He took it in fervent grasp. + +"Señora, Europe knows you for a brilliant woman. I say you are that, +and more. I am glad to have met you again." He looked at his watch. +"It is late. I fear I have kept you too long. I ask your pardon." + +"My Commodore, have a care, only, that you do not ask pardon of the +world one day for what your decision to-morrow may bring about." + +"Your words do you honor, señora. May I ask leave now to retire?" + +"The leave is yours, Commodore." + +After good night had been said Señora Valentino returned to her chair +by the fire. Into the flames she looked for a long time. + +"The Commodore talks in his silence," she finally said to herself, +smiling grimly. "The pages of this drama fast turn themselves--very +fast--to the issue. 'But I shall judge for myself.' Ah! Commodore, +your silence is indeed golden. So, Mendoza wishes you to seize +Monterey--evidently--but, 'you will judge for yourself.' Discreet +Commodore! But we shall see--we shall see!" + +The thick oaken log in the fireplace was ashes before the señora went +to her room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +ALMOST---- + +Señora Valentino rode slowly along the way leading from Santa Clara to +Pueblo San José. Willow trees lined the edge of the road, lifting +their featherly foliage in greeting to the morning sun. Yellow light +filtered through and marked the interlacing plumes with myriad fairy +figures in golden tints. The branches nodded and undulated in +low-toned rhythm. Tempered breezes from the bay, sweet with the breath +of virgin meadow, hung light-winged over this shaded alameda. Peons, +men and women, worked in the vegetable gardens by the wayside, singing +as they labored. Betimes they used the guttural words of their +aborigine tongue, the age-old longing of savage man flowing in heavy +note and shrill refrain. Again, some neophyte rested for the moment on +hoe or mattock and intoned a hymn. Then knoll and hollow resounded as +the children of the wilderness sang the words of their new-found faith. + +The long white line marking the fort at San José had come plainly into +view when the señora halted. + +"My message requested the Captain to meet me here at this hour," she +said to no one in particular. Her mounted Indian guard was a score of +paces behind. Just then Captain Farquharson, coming at swift gallop, +turned the bend just ahead. + +"Good morning!" she called to him. + +"Good morning!" he called back. "Well, the great question," as he drew +up at her side. "Your word reached me after midnight. Our signal-fire +was lighted within two hours, on the high mountains east of San José. +This morning at daylight the signal-smoke told me that Admiral +Fairbanks's anchors are under weigh for Monterey harbor. Now, your +note told me nothing of the particulars of your interview with Billings +last night. You managed to gain his attention, I'm sure." + +"I did. But our English admiral? Tell me, is he of two minds, as he +was the other day; or have they crystallized into one?" + +"He has agreed to keep his fleet hidden until our signal-fire or smoke +informs him it is the hour to enter Monterey harbor and take +possession." + +"Ah! that is his mind now." + +"Señora, I await with great interest some news of your interview last +night with the American. He must have said something of deep import +that you sent word to signal at once our admiral's fleet. Fairbanks +reaches Monterey easily to-morrow. What I signal him to do there, and +how soon, will be greatly determined by what you learned last night +from this Billings." + +"Well, Captain, since nothing is to be done until to-morrow, you have +time to answer me a question or two." The lady laughed, then went on: +"How did you manage to get our gringo naval heroes lost at the right +time yesterday?" + +"Simple, very simple, indeed. They lost themselves. One hero's saddle +seat was uncertain. He gripped his horse with his calves, to make +himself more secure, forgetting the sharp spurs on his heels. The +indignant broncho jumped over the nearest bank, his rider just +naturally following. I declare, the gallant officer actually spun head +over heels twice before he landed in the water. The peon with the two +gentlemen was held by our men under pretended suspicion of being a +runaway, when he went in search of another horse. This left our heroes +without a guide; and Valeriano, the Miramonte major-domo, did his part +when the stars began to shine. Now, señora, of course Commodore +Billings----" + +She interrupted him. "If the gringo hero's horse had not obligingly +jumped over that bank, how would you have got the Commodore to Señor +Miramonte's hacienda house at the right time?" + +"Depend on it, I would have found a way. Bringing them to the +Miramonte's place as suspicious characters would have been the last +resort. You would have identified the Commodore, in that case, and +would have made all possible amends for unwarranted detention." + +"Of course." The two joined their laughter. + +"Mendoza's peons were scouring the woods last night for the officers. +Our fellows furnished them plenty of information. It didn't lead them +to Miramonte's house, you may be sure." Again the forest echoed the +sound of their laughter. + +"Well," from the señora, "our two worthies set out comfortably enough +this morning, after early breakfast with us. Alberto, the Miramonte's +peon, guides them to Señor Mendoza. Alberto," lifting her eyebrows, +"understands English. When a lad, a religious-minded gringo +tallow-trader captain took him to Boston, and had him educated, hoping +he would become a missionary here of the tallow-trader's faith. +Instead he reverted to the ordinary peon, and an ardent Americano +hater, into the bargain." + +"Fortunately for us. It was simply invaluable that he was present the +other day at that Billings-O'Donnell talk at Half Moon bay, and thus +found out about the appointment to meet at Mendoza's last night. But," +laughing a little, yet serious, "I'm anxious as to what happened last +night at Miramonte's." + +"Just one more question, Captain. In what frame of mind was Padre +Osuna when you last saw him?" + +"You have swung him to our side, señora, for the second time. But he +forced from Fairbanks and me papers giving these natives extraordinary +rights when the country is ours." + +"The padre is where now, do you judge?" + +"Somewhere near San Luis Obispo. He travels like the whirlwind. +Yesterday he swept the crowd off its feet when he spoke from the church +steps at Monterey. They cheered and stormed for English rule. His +discourse over, he set off for the south with the impetuosity of a +crusader." + +"Very well, my Captain, we have done our part. It remains for +Fairbanks to do his." + +"Now, señora, why was it you sent the hurried messenger last night? +What did Billings say that you thought such haste necessary?" + +"Practically nothing." + +"I beg pardon, señora. You must have misunderstood me. I----" + +"I understood you perfectly." + +"Well, then, señora, think of your reply." + +"My reply was that Commodore Billings said practically nothing from +which I thought haste necessary. It was from what he palpably +refrained from saying that I made my inference." + +Farquharson drew his bridle-rein. His horse curveted over the turf, +under pressure of the curb-bit. He drew the animal back to the woman's +side. "Señora Valentino, what does Billings intend to do?" + +"To seize Monterey for the United States if----" + +"If what?" + +"If he can find reasonable excuse, in the attitude of the hacenderos +here, for such a move." + +"But can he?" + +"He can, if Colonel Mendoza is minded to supply it." + +"But, señora, at the Mendoza baile the entire countryside cried out for +an English protectorate." + +"Yes, but we made the minds of these men for them. The structure may +not be the most lasting." + +"But, perdition! they----" + +"Admiral Fairbanks must seize Monterey as soon as he reaches there," +she went on. + +"He must! By heaven he must! I'll ruin him before all England if he +flinches." + +"Remember, Captain, Commodore Billings will fight." + +"My word, señora! Fight us! Why, bless my soul! our fleet outnumbers +him at least three to one. Fairbanks could sink him in an hour." + +The woman leaned in her saddle toward the officer. "I shall be in +Monterey all day to-morrow. So must you, Captain." + +They shook hands over the manes of their horses and parted company, the +Captain riding swiftly across the fields, the lady walking her mount +toward San José. + +The adobe walls of the fort were a dozen feet or so in height, with +eaves projecting outward, the better to prevent scaling by a possible +enemy. Within these walls was a row of buildings in which were the +officers of the alcalde, the subprefect, the jefe-politico and other +civil officers of the pueblo. Here also were the quarters of Morando's +men. The Captain himself had a reception room in one corner of an +edifice facing the street. A motley gathering was in this room, also +clustered around the door as the Señora Valentino drew rein. Her +mounted escort had drawn up on either side of her in orderly lines, +each peon so tightening his bridle that the horses walked in perfect +step. + +Captain Morando, the comandante, pushed his way through the crowd to +the lady's side. "Thrice glad am I to see you, amiga mia. Will you +not alight and rest awhile?" + +"Thank you, Captain." + +He released her foot from the stirrup and assisted her to the ground. + +"My poor place shines like the morning in answer to your presence, +señora." + +She smiled on him and looked about over the waiting crowd. "Why so +many sad faces here, Captain?" + +"These friends mourn relatives who fell in the recent contest with +Yoscolo. To-day the Department, through me, considers the demands for +pensions." + +"Then I interrupt." + +"Indeed not, my friend. This reception room meets never a guest more +welcome than Señora Valentino." + +"But these sad ones? You must not neglect them for my sake." + +"I shall not forget you, nor neglect them. Besides, my work with the +pensioners has about concluded." + +The peonas had nearly all dried their tears, had gathered their +restless pocos niños together and were preparing to depart, with many +blessings murmured on the "very good and very handsome comandante." + +The señora seated near the Captain was greatly interested in the scene. +"Their praises for you, señor, are fervent, if not loud," she remarked. + +Soon the man and woman were alone in the reception room. She regarded +him gravely. He started from a revery and caught her look. He +flushed. She laughed a little. + +"Well, Captain, I have done as you requested." + +"What?" + +"I have seen the Señorita Mendoza and have told her for you that----" +She paused. + +He waited for her to continue. + +"I must say I do not quite understand the girl, charming, indeed, as +she is." + +"How so, señora?" + +"O, friend of my heart, I would spare you pain." + +"Tell me everything, señora." + +"O, Don Alfredo, everything? My heart fails me. How can I wound you?" + +"Do not fear for me, gentle one. Let me know the truth. Please go on." + +"Well--if I must. I made occasion to do your bidding by visiting the +Mendoza house, ostensibly to express to the host of the great baile at +Mission San José my appreciation of that event. The señor was away, +but his daughter received me. This was just the opportunity I would +have wished for. Nothing could have been better for our purpose, Don +Alfredo." + +He bowed in recognition of the fact. + +"We passed bits of conversation from one to the other on chance topics. +The young lady was delightful. As we sat in the cool drawing room +sipping tea and nibbling dulces I thought continually of you, my +friend. Small wonder, truly, that you wished to wed this beautiful and +talented young woman. Small wonder, again, that the swains of the +valley lay their hearts before her, as she beckons." + +The soldier's face grew gloomy. + +"When our time had in a measure sped I introduced the subject on which +you wished me to speak with her." + +"How did she receive it?" + +"I am puzzled to know how to explain. It is but a step, often, from +joy to sorrow; at times, discourtesy seems waiting on the threshold of +courtesy. Well, enough to say that our pleasant relations underwent a +change most unaccountable. The Doña Carmelita grew cold and drew +within herself. Try as I might I could not bring back the former +cordiality. In the course of the conversation I said: 'Señorita, +Captain Morando loves you and you only.' She replied: 'Señora +Valentino, I cannot listen to you; even though you are a guest in this +house I cannot.' + +"We parleyed further. She was obdurate. She tried to cut me short +with the words: 'I request that this conversation cease and that you do +not again mention to me the name of Captain Morando.' + +"Yet still did I refuse to accept her dismissal of the subject. You +see, my one-time knight, I was determined to fulfill your wishes, no +matter what came." + +She lowered her eyes with a tender little sigh, but went on hastily. +"I continued to speak of you and of your love for her. She almost +flung at me: 'Captain Morando is nothing to me, nor can he ever be. I +would not wish it otherwise.' + +"Then I concluded: 'At least accept his word that he meant no harm by +his attentions to you.' To this she gave no response. + +"We were now at the hacienda gate. She summoned the peon who had my +horse in charge. As I mounted she said: 'Remember, if you call again, +I shall give word to my maid to tell you I am not at home.'" + +The young man came to her side and took her hand in both his. "Forgive +me, señora. Forgive me, my dear friend, the stupid selfishness in +asking you to do such an errand. When I think of your goodness to me +and of my placid acceptance of it I curse myself for a brute." + +"You are harsh with yourself, Alfredo," putting her disengaged hand on +his. + +"No, señora, a thousand times, no. How can I ever atone for my +thoughtlessness!" + +The lustrous brown eyes were looking gently at him. He gazed into +their beautiful depths. She leaned a trifle nearer. + +He continued: "I have been a cur! You have suffered your life long. +You generously gave me the confidences of your heart. I saw how empty +your years have been of the things that, after all, really count in +this world; yet I, selfish fool! could only whine about my own loss." + +"Don't, don't, Alfredo. You must not say such words." + +"Dear amiga, you are too forgetful of yourself, always thinking of the +good you may do others. You have a claim on me, a strong claim, which +I shall always remember; for, no matter how unwitting on my part, +unhappiness came to you years ago, and that unhappiness still persists. +Added to this, I have been the direct cause of your losing your friend, +the Doña Carmelita. I wish I could make compensation." + +The woman's eyes drooped. Her hands fell to her side. + +"The past is gone--gone the way of all past things," she said, very +slowly. + +"But the hurt continues," he returned. + +"You certainly cannot blame yourself for that." + +He dropped on his knees beside her. "My dear señora, my true friend, +ask what you will of me, and if I can accomplish it, it shall be yours. +I would do anything to be of service to you." + +She raised her eyes and put her hand on his shoulder. "Alfredo, how +could you retrieve a broken life? Why, I envy the love of the peonas +for their husbands who fell by your side at La Cuesta de los Gatos. +Though bereft their love lives on. Their heart is not empty, as is +mine--as is mine. Ah, me!" + +"Doña Silvia, the way of love should not be difficult to one of your +gentle spirit. Surely, you will find it, with all the joys bordering +thereon." + +Her eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly. She moved a little away. + +"Forgive me," he said anxiously, noting the movement. "I have entered +forbidden ground." + +"No, no, dear Alfredo. For you it is not forbidden ground. There is +not a recess within my heart where you might not enter." + +"You are more than kind, my good friend." + +"Friend! Captain," showing some impatience, "friend! Good friend!" +She tried to hide the sarcasm in her tone by an unusually alluring +smile. "I am but one of your many, many good friends. Is it not so?" +her voice sounding hard in spite of herself. "O, well, I must be +content with whatever the gods see fit to bestow." + +"Señora, you are not merely one of many. You are my most loyal, my +warmest, my ever-remaining, ever-to-be-cherished, +never-to-be-forgotten----" He paused, overcome by his own vehemence. + +"You would scale barbed walls to carry away the señorita of the window +pane," leaning wearily on her arm. + +"Yes, dear Silvia, I would scale those walls," he went on, +passionately. "I would scale them and bear you away," taking both her +hands. Her warm breath was against his cheek. "I would--I would----" +His voice choked. + +"--Even sing love songs outside the window, to the accompaniment of the +guitar. O, Alfredo!" + +In space of time hardly more than an instant he saw the Señorita +Carmelita's eyes flash behind the barred window; heard her gay banter +at the house party; felt her soft hand in his as he had spoken love to +her at the baile. + +Very gently he moved away from the señora. Slowly he arose to his +feet. The woman quickly realized the effect of her ill-chosen words. +She arose also and stood leaning on the back of her chair. For a +moment they looked at each other. She was the first to speak, a queer +little smile stealing over her face. + +"Well, Captain Morando, I have made report to you," the smile +vanishing. "I must now--journey homeward." + +He escorted the señora to her horse. Assisting her to mount he kissed +her hand in parting salute. + +She rode leisurely out of the pueblo, pleasantly exchanging greetings +with acquaintances along the way. Once on the plains, however, she +lashed her horse until the beast plunged and kicked in fury. She +quelled him with bit and word, then rode at break-neck speed until he +was winded. + +The peon guard followed in wonderment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +PEDRO ZELAYA BRINGS IMPORTANT NEWS + +"On with the green boughs, Anselmo. Now, you, Francisco, the +turpentine in plenty. Pronto! hombre. Pronto! Hasten! Diablo!" + +The wind from the Yerba Buena side blew more and more strongly, and +finally stiffened to a quarter gale. + +"It is useless, Señor Zelaya," said the peon Anselmo. "The breeze from +the bay so fans the blaze that there is no smoke at all, but all flame." + +Don Pedro Zelaya and his peons were on a pinnacle of one of the high +hills which skirt the eastern side of San Francisco harbor. Away at +the south somewhere was the hacienda of Mendoza. On the roof of +Mendoza's hacienda house by night and by day watchers scanned the north +horizon for fire or smoke signals telling that the British fleet had +sailed, and announcing, in the devious ways known to such +signal-makers, the direction the ships had taken, together with other +apt information. + +"Caramba! Caramba!" stormed little Zelaya. "Bring more green leaves. +Give over using that turpentine now. Perhaps we'll get some smoke +after all." + +The keen air breathed through the heaping leaves with a bellowslike +sound. The fierce heat exuded the oil from the fiber and the flames +roared with added vigor. + +"Bring water!" commanded Zelaya. "We must have a signal-smoke here, or +it means a wild dash on horseback to Mission San José. Bring water, I +say." + +"There is no water within a league, Señor Zelaya. Besides, the high +wind would blow the smoke along the mountain top, not letting it form a +column that would reach upward." + +The excitable Zelaya ran to his horse tied to some brush near by. +Taking his canteen from the saddle he poured the contents, a quart or +so of water, on the blazing fire. There was a splutter, a sizzle, and +the leaves burned as furiously as before. + +The sun was just peeping over the eastern horizon. Zelaya looked +intently, listening expectantly. When the wind lulled for a moment +there came swelling over the hills the reenforced bellowings from tens +of thousands of cattle throats. + +"Ah! the herds are at last coming in from the San Joaquin bottoms. +Well, we have other fish to fry besides thinking of that. Say! you, +Anselmo, and you, Francisco, are you sure you caught all the signals +right? No danger of mistake? Are you sure?" + +The small black eyes of the peons glittered. "We wish we were as sure +of heaven, Señor Zelaya. Our men saw the signal fire on the high +mountains east of San José last night; saw the answer on Tamalpais. +This morning at daybreak they saw the great white birds swim out in the +direction of the south wind. Our young master, Roberto Morago, said +that only cannon and heaps of cannon balls were on the decks. He saw +it through his field glass from his station on the flank of Mount +Diablo. We have brought you his word, Señor Zelaya, and our telling is +true. It's no use; we cannot send a smoke signal in this wind." + +Zelaya was already astride his mount. "It means a couple of hours' +delay," he muttered, "a couple of hours which we can in no way afford." + +He rode his horse furiously. The wind sang in his ears as he swept +along. His face was set and hard, his eyes narrowing to burning sparks. + +"So, the English ships have sailed southward, with decks cleared for +action!" he thought. "Word must be given to Mendoza and the American +commodore at once." Then with an oath: "What misfortune this strong +wind was blowing on this of all mornings! Well, I'll get to Mission +San José with the news if my horse holds out! or," he half laughed, "if +he fails, I'll lasso a bull and press him into service." + +The horseman slipped down the steep grades, passed the rancho of his +neighbor, Señor Peralta; rode through the foothills comprising part of +the grant of Don Luis Castro, and into the confines of his own +property, the Rancho Arroyo San Lorenzo. Here he reined in for a +moment, and allowed the animal to lope, an easy canter much affected in +early-California days. + +"Now, for Arroyo Seco, Mendoza's outpost! I'll find a fresh horse +there in his corrals." + +He spurred his horse which dashed along the foothills toward Mission +San José. The bellowing of the returning cattle became plainer and +plainer. The vanguard of the herds was already dotting the higher +levels above him. + +"Caramba! I'm none too far away, if I wish to avoid being caught in +the press." + +With word and quirt and spur he urged his horse forward. Mile after +mile sped past. + +"You, poor fellow, are pretty well done," to his animal as it labored +along. "Well, I see Mendoza's corrals ahead. I'll leave you there in +good hands, and get my saddle on another racer." + +Many cattle and horses in the marshes adjacent on the bay had not been +rounded up in the spring when the droves had been formed for the San +Joaquin. They had swum across the intervening sloughs to the +salt-grass pastures where fodder was more plentiful. After the rains +had come these animals had returned to the valley lands and had grown +fat. + +Each stallion is a general having under him his lieutenants who, with +him, form a guard for the protection of the mothers and foals of the +family. As it is with the horse so is it with the cattle. The cows +and calves follow the mighty leaders that afford them safety. + +Thus, from the valley came hundreds of horses and cattle to meet the +homecomers. They had scented their fellows from afar, and flew madly +to the foothills, to do them battle. The vaqueros were miles away, in +the rear of the swarming, home-coming herds. In time they would make +peace by clubbing the fighting leaders over nose or horn with their +heavy whip-stocks. + +Zelaya was within half a mile of the Mendoza corral when a drove of +fifty or more horses, led by a splendid dapple-gray stallion, came +thundering from a deep hollow directly in front of him. The leader +disdained battle with a single stranger and rushed by like the wind. +Don Pedro turned rein and ran with the drove for safety. Little by +little he lessened speed; then, as the way opened, he left the company +forced on him and again turned toward the Mendoza corrals. + +A hundred paces to the side a herd of cattle, led by an immense bull, +was charging in the foothills. The leader saw the horseman and made +for him viciously. The Spaniard waved his reata and shouted, "Hoop-la! +Hoop-la!" after the manner of the vaquero. The herd paused, snorted; +then, with head and tail up, looked on while their protector fought the +enemy. + +The bull lowered its head and rushed at him, roaring a tremendous bass +defiance. The Spaniard swung his horse to one side, and the beast +stumbled past him. Again and again was this repeated. Finally, the +horse stepped into a hole and fell. The rider came to the ground on +his feet, moved quickly aside, in time to avoid a furious rush from the +tormentor. As the bull stopped in preparation for another attack Don +Pedro sprang on its back. + +"I have for myself a merienda," he thought, grimly, remembering the day +when he had ridden the bull at the Calaveras picnic ground. + +"Come, come, run to the corral, my lordly beast!" + +The animal ran around and around in a circle, roaring terrifically. + +"Carrajo! Carrajo! 'twill not do," called the rider. "I must make the +corral. Go, now, you son of an imp! Run as I direct!" + +Climbing out well on the shoulders he managed to reach the beast's nose +with his spur. First kicking it on one side of the muzzle, then on the +other, he succeeded in getting it started toward the corral. + +"Grande! Grande!" he shouted. "You make not badly the mount. +Hoop-la! Hoop-la! Pronto! Pronto!" + +The bull ran under some trees, endeavoring to free itself from the +incumbrance. Zelaya drew himself up into the branches. + +"It is again the merienda, as I have said. Now, farewell, toro mio, I +go to the corral and stables for a mount superior even to you." + +The bull hurried back to his bellowing herd, and soon together they +were tearing onward to the hills, to fight the myriad homecomers. + +"A thousand and one devils! A thousand and one devils!" exclaimed +Zelaya a few moments later. The corrals and stables were empty. The +peon cots were vacant. Evidently, Mendoza had sent all available +horses and men to the San Joaquin to bring home his grazing stock. + +The little man did not hesitate. Off came his embroidered jacket, his +outer, as well as his inner, shirt, then his long riding boots. He +tossed his sombrero, heavy with gold, to one side. + +"Behold! 'twould not be so bad, if I only had my running shoes." + +The morning sun fell on his muscular torso, the runner's flat abdomen +and well-sinewed limbs discernible through the knee-pants and leggings. + +For an instant he pulled his short mustachios savagely. "I may meet +more bulls and their families, and I have now no spurs," glancing at +his discarded boots. "Well, if a bull chases me toward Mission San +José I shall reach my goal all the quicker." + +It was three leagues good, as the bird flies, to the Mendoza hacienda +house, at the Mission. Don Pedro set off across country at a long, +swinging gait which ate the miles like fire. For nearly a league he +ran along cattle paths in the tall oats and drying mustard. Then he +struck the main-traveled road. Here he rested for a moment. + +"Diablo!" standing first on one foot, then on the other. "That dried +grass has the edge of a knife!" + +The roaring of cattle and the raucous threatening of a stallion sent +him flying along instantly. + +"A pest on it! I prefer the sharp grass edge to these infernal +stones," the ragged pebbles in the road bruising and tearing his feet, +while the dry grass had cut cleanly. Still he did not waver. Bright +red spots showed on his cheeks; his breath came in quick gasps, but he +did not slacken the wonderful pace he had set for himself. + +Once a bull compelled him to climb a tree, and once he hid under a bank +while a stallion led his squadron past. "I take the rest whether or no +I need it," was his laconic thought at these times. + +Finally he came in sight of the towers of Mendoza's house. It was yet +a league away, and more. Don Pedro tightened his belt, looked at his +bleeding feet, then at the mansion gleaming white in the sun. He +surveyed the landscape in search of a horseman, but in vain. + +He bathed his feet in a streamlet, then darted along the rough road at +a speed that might, indeed, be fitly described as only less than that +of a fast-galloping horse. + + * * * * * + +"Commodore Billings, float the stars and stripes over Monterey before +another sun goes out!" + +In the Administrator's sitting room were gathered Billings, Hamilton, +O'Donnell, and a score of land barons of the valley. + +The American's mouth shut in a straight line. "You Spaniards, save a +handful, are clamoring for English rule. Still, Señor Mendoza, you ask +me to invest the capital of this province with my ships. To what end?" + +"To afford our California opportunity to appeal from her inconsiderate +self to her wiser self." + +"Mendoza, I represent the United States. My office is to conserve, or +advance, her interests." + +"Señor Commodore, California is the key to the vast region north and +east. With this province goes mastery of the Pacific from the Isthmus +to the ice. No small addition to the United States of America." + +"California, in her wiser thought, you intimate, would elect to become +a province under my government. I so understand you, señor." + +The Administrator nodded affirmatively. + +"I am, then, to hold your capital pending this expected change of +attitude?" + +Again the affirmation from Mendoza. + +"Very well, our Señor Hacendado, suppose the inevitable finds resting +place on the other horn of this dilemma, and your province elects to +become British?" + +Several of the men were on their feet, speaking excitedly. + +"Señor Billings, not one chance in ten of such an outcome," exclaimed +Fulgencio Higuera. "Geographically we belong to the United States. In +politics we are one with you. Give us time to think and all of us will +say aye to this." + +Diego Valencia and others seconded him. + +"I voted in haste for English rule," said Luis Castro. "My preference +is for your country, Señor Commodore." + +"And I! And I!" from a dozen others. + +Billings shrugged. "Your California Baja is solid for England." + +"I have letters here from Señor Carillo, the Picos, and others +prominent there, stating that these men will accept what is wisest for +the province," replied Mendoza. + +"Well said! Well said!" broke in the heavy voice of O'Donnell. + +Billings looked around the room from one face to another. Finally, his +eyes rested on Mendoza. "But there is a possibility if I take your +capital that I may be asked to give it over to the English admiral. Is +that not true? Your people, after all, may vote to become a British +dependency," giving the table beside him a resounding blow with his +clenched hand. + +"A bare possibility--nothing more," said Mendoza, quietly. + +"In which case I should have my trouble for my pains," asserted the +American. + +"You would, then, have aided a sovereign people to exercise their right +of franchise. Surely, your government would uphold you in that. +Besides, the chance is ten to one--yes, a hundred to one--that your +flag will continue flying over the province," argued the Administrator. + +Billings's heavy mustachios raised along his face in a peculiar smile. +His bushy eyebrows were elevated. In a moment his features fell into +their usual mold. + +"If I do not take Monterey, what then?" + +"Then comes England," replied Mendoza, his voice low and even, "and at +the present--the present, mind you, I say--an apparent majority of our +people would welcome her coming. If she comes, she will stay." He +looked steadily at the other. "Señor the Commodore, it may be now or +never for the Americans." + +There was a rush of feet in the corridor, a clatter of excited native +voices, angry expostulations, and then there burst into the room a +figure which startled the grave assemblage nearly out of its senses. A +man naked to the waist, his feet cut and bleeding, his face streaked +with dust and perspiration. He was scarcely able to stand. + +"Dios!" exclaimed Mendoza. "It's Señor Zelaya. What has happened?" + +The perspiring, fainting man partially steadied himself. "The English +fleet sailed--this morning--at daybreak--toward the south--decks +cleared for action----" He collapsed and would have fallen had not +Mendoza caught him. + +Zelaya soon recovered. Quickly he told his story. + +"By thunder! The English fleet stripped for battle! Hurrying to +Monterey! I'll shoot their infernal rudders off!" cried the Commodore. + +Hamilton, unsheathing his sword, bounded to the side of his superior. + +Billings's blade gave answering flash. + +Excited voices hushed under the swish of steel. + +The officers and Mendoza strode from the room. + +O'Donnell was already at his horse's side. + +"On, for Half Moon Bay! You, O'Donnell, lead the way!" shouted +Billings. + +"Faith! Commodore, I'm in for the race, and it's bad luck catch the +hindmost!" as O'Donnell swung to the saddle. + +Tomaso and his peons, signaled by Mendoza, came hurrying with horses. + +"I too will ride with the Commodore Americano," called Zelaya, +forgetful of his fatigue. + +"Not so, Pedro," from Mendoza. "A bed and a surgeon for thee." + +The Administrator mounted his prized racer, Mercurio. He waved his +hand. Instantly, Tomaso and his fighting peons reined their horses +behind him in double file. Captain Hamilton stood with toe in stirrup, +looking ruefully enough at the prospect of a jolting ride back to Half +Moon Bay. + +"Fall in, Captain!" called Billings. + +In a moment the Captain was racing along the road, not second to many +in the run. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE NEXT DAY + +"It's ingratitude, I say, ingratitude worthy of a--Catalonian," puffed +Colonel Barcelo, striding up and down the veranda on the second story +of his house. + +"But, dear husband, Captain Morando is not a Catalonian. He is +Castilian, native of Madrid, just the same as we are." + +The Colonel paused in his walk and glared at his wife. "All the worse +for him! All the worse for him!" he roared. "He has birth and +training of a lion and the instincts of a--a----" Breath failed him. + +"O, dear husband!" in expostulation. + +"Dear husband! Dear husband!" mockingly. "This is no time----" +Sufficient breath had not returned to him to complete his thought. + +"O, Crisostimo! Crisostimo!" + +"Crisostimo! Crisostimo!" again mocking her. "I've always said, +Señora Barcelo, that you have no pride, and that you talk too much." + +"O, my husband, you don't love me any more. How I wish I had never +come to California!" + +"So do I," growled the husband. + +"How dare you! How dare you!" bridled the little woman. "I believe, +now, those stories about your drinking absinthe and gambling in Paris." + +"Clarinda, love, I mean I wish _we_ had never come to California, but +that _we_ had remained in Europe." + +"Well, that sounds different." + +"As for this Morando, why, confound those Catalonian instincts in him!" + +"But he isn't a Catalonian." + +"I nearly shot a villainous Catalan major once for less than what +Morando has done," he blustered, ignoring his wife's remark. + +"What has Captain Morando done? I'm sure he is a very good man, and +everyone thinks him handsome." + +"Handsome!" straightening his shoulders and looking down at his ample +proportions. "Handsome! Why, once at a court ball where I was present +half a dozen princesses----" + +"Were present also, I presume," snappingly interrupted his wife. +"Well, tell me about Morando." + +"Clarinda, my dear," sententiously, "I've labored for position and +power, not for my own sake, but that you should receive what is worthy +of you. That has been my great ambition," pompously. + +"How exceedingly nice of you!" half sarcastically from the señora, not +yet quite mollified after her husband's reference to the princesses. + +"I had climbed to a place where high honor was almost mine. Mexico +goes out of California and England comes in. I had aimed to gain for +myself governorship of the province, as well as the +commandership-in-chief of all the land forces. Under England such a +position should satisfy anyone. It would have satisfied me--at least, +for the present; that is, my love, when you would be at my side sharing +the honors." + +"Where else would I be?" her wide-open eyes darkening a little. + +"Nowhere else; nowhere else, my love--not with my consent." + +"Nor mine either," firmly. + +The Colonel floundered a moment. "Where was I when interrupted? O +yes. At last I had attained a place proper and fitting for me--and for +you, too, Clarinda. When I say 'I' I mean you also." + +"Crisostimo, why didn't you say that at first?" + +"First! Say it first! Well, I meant it first. Now, comes this +Morando, this villainous Morando----" + +"Crisostimo, he is no such thing," defended the señora with indignation. + +"A man whom I have often fed at my own table----" + +"You never did but once," again interrupting. "Other than that he has +never eaten a bite in this house, except the coffee and cake sister +Silvia gave him early one morning when he happened to be here." + +"Well, he didn't deserve even that." + +Señora Valentino came on the veranda. "Why, my dear brother, what has +happened? Your face is red and perspiring, and you seem excited." + +"O, Silvia, sweetheart. Crisostimo has been saying mean things about +your friend Captain Morando." + +"And with reason," interjected Barcelo, gruffly. + +"How so?" queried the sister. + +"My confidence in this Morando has been shattered to pieces." + +"And how?" + +"Just what I've asked him," from the Colonel's wife. + +"I've just come from an interview with the English consul here. Found +him closeted with that Farquharson. Well, they told me the English +admiral is to take possession of Monterey to-morrow," from Barcelo. + +"Why should that make you say mean things about the Captain?" asked his +wife. + +He puffed his cheeks and rested his palms upon his hips, in +characteristic pose. "This Morando has been laying plans to capture +for himself the combined office of governor and commander-in-chief of +this province." + +"O, Crisostimo," faintly from Señora Barcelo, "this cannot be true. +You must be mistaken." + +"Mistaken, wife! Mistaken! Why, that Farquharson told me himself, in +cold blood, that Morando is to be given the office, and the English +consul seconded the fellow." + +"We all thought so much of the Captain," from his wife, nearly overcome. + +"You'll see I'm right about the man," a triumphant note in the +Colonel's voice. + +"I know you are always right, Crisostimo, love." + +"Well, poor little Clarinda, you are not to be governor's wife, nor yet +wife of the commander-in-chief," he commiserated. + +"We've always made the Captain so welcome when he came here, and he was +such an intimate friend of you, Silvia. How could he have meditated +such treason against us all?" + +"Treason is just the name for it. But--England isn't here yet, and +I've got something to say about her coming. I am comandante of this +presidio." + +"Why, of course!" his wife cheering up. + +"Yes, of course! Of course," exulted the Colonel. + +"Silvia," asked her sister, "haven't you something to suggest? People +say you are so bright." + +Señora Valentino turned away to hide her smile. "The English consul +and Señor Farquharson told you that Captain Morando is to receive the +honor of which you speak?" addressing Barcelo. + +"Well, it was this way. You see, I forced their hand. Just pinned +them down; so, yes, or no, was all they could say," with a knowing nod. + +A servant entered. "A message from the porter," she announced. + +"Speak!" commanded her master. + +"An orderly is at the door and requests to see Colonel Barcelo." + +"Show him up here." + +The soldier entered, saluted his commander and bowed to the women. "I +have the honor to say the lookout at the castle reports ships entering +the outer harbor." + +"Coming, are they? Well, I shall let them see I am a soldier and a +caballero; and, perhaps," moving his head from side to side, "that I am +in command of the castle here. Clarinda, where is my new uniform? I +shall appear in that, as befits the occasion." + +The Colonel's wife, all a-flutter, took his arm and walked with him +down the veranda stairs, Señora Valentino following. + +The atmosphere of Monterey was tense with feeling that morning. By +some telepathy news of the expected event had spread out from the +capital. Hamlet, hacienda, and Indian rancheria were alike agog. + +"Benito, the horses," called Barcelo, coming to the porte-cochere. + +The acting governor made an imposing figure in his full colonel's +regimentals. He mounted his horse with heavy dignity. "Wife, and +sister Silvia, you ride with me." + +They rode along the street to the public square. Already it bore +resemblance to a fiesta day. Sidewalks were lined with men talking +with lightninglike rapidity between puffs of their cigaritos. Peon and +ranchero joined in the talk. Windows, verandas, roofs, even, were +splendid in the vari-colored dress and headgear of the señora, señorita +and peona. The whole world of Monterey became akin under stress of the +greatest day it had ever known. + +The Colonel endeavored to push rapidly through the square on his way to +the castle. He was one of very many bent on the same errand. Carretas +strained and squeaked in the press; horses snorted, reared, plunged; +pedestrians risked life and limb by darting hither and thither, as +opening presented. + +"Out of the way! Out of the way!" Barcelo shouted after a little. +"Here I am, only half way to the castle. Out of the way, I say! The +Governor and his party are coming." + +Two carretas going in opposite directions had locked wheels. The +postilions were hurling curses and threats at each other; the occupants +of the vehicles were screaming, while numerous fellow travelers were +lavishly advising the best manner of breaking up the obstruction. + +"Peste!" again from the Colonel. "Give way! Give way! Such drivers +should be knocked senseless!" + +Peons now seized the teams by the bridles; others pulled and tugged at +the carretas until each was backed into freedom. + +The stream of life once more toiled onward toward the castle. The +Barcelos were carried on its bosom. + +The old castle was built on a bluff overlooking Monterey harbor. Its +black-mouthed guns had long gaped over the quiet of the land-locked +waters, and its buttressed walls meant safety to padre, Indian +neophyte, and Spanish hacendado. + +The fort had been called "castle" by its builders when the flag of +Spain waved over the Californias. Its appointments were mediæval. The +moss-grown walls betokened decay; while the crumbling cement in the +rock-ribbed abutments told the same story. Its ordnance was ranged to +protect harbor and approaches. Moreover, it had protected them. +Within the memory of the present generation two robber vessels had +attempted to force entrance. The cannon thundered and one buccaneer +boat laid her bones at the bottom of the bay; while the other, white +flag at masthead, sued for mercy. + +A long line of soldiers held the crowd at proper distance from the +castle. The Colonel, with his wife and sister-in-law, made his way to +the entrance, then along wide corridor and winding stair to the upper +battlement. + +Silently they looked out over the unheeding water. The surf murmured +beneath them. The ocean nestled lazily against the horizon. Seabirds +floated aimlessly in the air; or, with piercing cry, hurtled downward +for the finny creatures below the surface of the swell. + +Fishing smacks, ever ready to dare the roughest weather on prospect of +full nets and ready market, now, careless of both, had found sheltered +nooks whence to await the great happening. Other boats swayed at +anchor near the beach. + +"Major Silva," asked Barcelo of his second in command, "is our lookout +sure he saw the fleet? I see nothing here." + +"Absolutely certain, Colonel. His glass showed them plainly from the +tower nearly an hour ago." + +"Very well. See that mob out there doesn't push in any nearer." + +The Major saluted and departed. + +"The whole countryside seems to have pulled itself up by its boots and +jumped into town; but as for that much-bragged of English fleet, there +is not a sign. I, for one, don't believe it's coming. Bah!" blustered +Barcelo. + +"Comandante, the foreign consuls are at the gate," announced an orderly. + +"Show them here." + +The Comandante received them all with words and manner ceremoniously +polite. + +Glasses searched sky and water line, but in vain. Colonel Barcelo went +from bastion to bastion calling to his side the gunners of each piece +of artillery. + +Chance sentences which had fallen here and there now thickened into +connected conversation, as little groups were formed. + +"Your words stirred up my brother-in-law this morning," Señora +Valentino said in quick aside to Captain Farquharson, who had +accompanied the consuls to the castle. + +"It was the eleventh hour. He asked me a blunt question and I could do +nothing but give him a plain answer. He cannot harm us." + +"Fairbanks is not keen on this prize, Captain," moving her head +thoughtfully. + +Señora Barcelo came to her sister's side. "Silvia, look through this +spyglass--over that ledge, then to where that thin scroll of fog dips +down to the water." + +Conversation ceased, and a dozen glasses scanned the spot. + +A strip of white rose into sight, glanced in the sun, darkened, then +gleamed like a sunflash on ice. To the left was another, then another. +Suddenly, four more projected into plain view on the right. + +"The fleet! The fleet!" chorused every side. + +Breezes of late forenoon freshened over the harbor. Headland and sky +line cleared of feathery mist. + +The seven ships, every sail set, hove into full sight. + +Captain Farquharson, resting his hands on a parapet, scrutinized +eagerly the nearing men-of-war. His wish framed a thought which he +believed Fairbanks's coming vitalized. + +Thirty years ago Spain's nerveless hand fell from the Californias, +leaving them to Mexico. Mexico's hold, feeble always, year by year had +loosened. To-day would see the end. + +His daydream grew. + +The pushing, restless Saxon of Atlantic America, after overflowing the +valley of the Mississippi, would not bring his civilization to the +farthest West. Ford rivers, traverse deserts, fell forests as he +might, at last he would meet a difficulty he could not surmount, the +backfiring line of a civilization, virile as his own, wrought by the +hand of his English cousin, and this day begun in the capital, +Monterey. Another empire was about to come under Great Britain's sway. + +"Señors!" Comandante Barcelo's voice, low and tense, broke the +stillness. + +Farquharson started from his reverie. + +With bellying sails the fleet came scudding on, the dark hulls scarcely +touching the water. Fairbanks's flagship was in the lead, her +commander's pennant flinging from the foremast, the union jack +streaming above. Back from the leader, in triangular spread, as wild +fowl move, followed the others, three on a side. + +"Señors, attention!" again from Barcelo. "Let us have understanding +right here and now. You people have come here to-day to see a province +pass from hand to hand, but," pointing to the cannon, "straight words +from the throats of these jolly boys here shall speak a salute the +aspiring English little expect. You, men of the consulate, go, tell +your nations, California scorns any yoke." + +"Nonsense!" cried Farquharson. "Our ships will batter this ramshackle +to pieces in ten minutes." + +Barcelo exploded a tremendous, "Huh!" then added, "No need keeps you +here. The casemates are at your disposal." + +"Perdition on your folly!" from the angry Englishman. "Why, man, I've +faced death a score more times than you have fingers and toes, you +insufferable ass!" + +"Another word, and I'll clap you in irons!" was Barcelo's threat. +Turning to the women he said, "It is time for the señoras to seek +safety below." + +"I shall remain here," from Señora Valentino. + +"I shall stay, also," announced the Colonel's wife. + +"Señoras, I insist that you go below--and at once! Orderly, take these +ladies down immediately. As for you," turning to the men, "you can +suit yourselves. Stay, if you will--if your noses itch for powder +smoke." + +Farquharson glowered at the Colonel, but did not speak. The surprised +civilians hurriedly grouped themselves against a parapet. + +The flagship stood in to the sheltered lea of the harbor. As a thing +alive she ran. At each onward bound she raised her forefoot clear, +then plunged nose-deep into the churning spray. Her bulging canvas +gleamed against the distant background. + +The Admiral and his officers were on the quarterdeck. Marines and +man-o'-war's men swarmed aft. + +"Make ready!" called Barcelo. + +Each cannoneer stood by the priming of his piece, a lighted fuse +spluttering in his hand. + +"Fire!" shouted the Colonel, in voice so carrying that it reached the +city square. + +The old cannon mouths belched response. + +Sheets of flame and smoke darted into the empty air. Over town and +rolling land awoke a thousand echoes. + +The fort shivered to its venerable foundation. + +Across the harbor ricocheted the heavy shots, dotting a path straight +to Fairbanks's ship. A school of flying fish these shots might have +been, moistening their fins now and then, to show that water was their +element. They dropped below the surface, as seeking rest, short of +their destination a hundred yards. + +"Elevate the muzzles of the guns!" yelled Barcelo. "Quick! the +levers. Swing them in place! Bear down! Bear down, I tell you! +Bring props. Now, get to work! Load again!" + +Swabbers labored with might and main. Powder carriers came stumbling +through the clinging smoke. Sinewy arms strained under the iron shot. + +Seizing a ramrod, with his own hands the sooty and perspiring Colonel +worked shoulder to shoulder with his men. + +Signal flags arose, fluttered, fell, on the Admiral's vessel. Sailors +swarmed through the rigging, like flies. Sails shortened, as by magic. +Under lessened speed she swung until her length paralleled the +water-front. + +"Up with the white flag, Colonel Barcelo! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! For +God's sake, give the order!" cried Farquharson. "She's ready for a +broadside." + +As he spoke he ran to the flagstaff. The consuls, storming and +demanding, followed him, and made as if to lower the colors. + +Barcelo halted them with drawn pistol. "Stand away! you squealing +rats. I'll shoot the man who touches a halyard." + +The Englishman stepped back; likewise, the others. + +"O, our wives and children!" some one hoarsely cried. + +"Comandante, for the love of God, bethink yourself!" remonstrated +Farquharson. + +"Sight those guns!" persisted Barcelo in a voice of thunder. "Now's +your time! The ship's showing bottom like a dying fish. Hit the line, +men, between air and water! Fire!" + +Hill and valley again boomed in angry refrain. Over the bay skimmed +the shot, true poised for distance, but scattering a course a quarter +mile from the flagship's side. + +Deck and port-hole of the great vessel frowned on the upstart who dared +dispute the coming of the giant. + +Away from the castle grounds in confusion tumbled the crowds that had +so gayly come to enjoy a holiday. + +Panic-stricken, Monterey held its breath, each instant seeing the next +instant terrible in red destruction, to satisfy the Briton's vengeance. + +Still the flagship swung, the circle widening, her cannon sullenly +silent. + +Helm hard down, she put about till Monterey lay astern. Her sails +unfurled. Proud in the knowledge of her unused strength she spurned +castle and capital and made majestically for the open sea. + +One by one the warships wheeled and followed the leader, in triangular +lines, as before. + +The sea-breeze lifted from the castle the thick, black smoke-cloud. +The gunners, begrimed and eager, held by their pieces. + +Farquharson, white with suppressed rage, paced the battlement. + +The consuls were gathered in knots of twos and threes. + +Barcelo, grim and aloof, stood with folded arms and watched the +departing fleet until the last speck dropped from sight. + +On the way home, an hour later, Señora Valentino volunteered to the +Colonel: "Well, the British ships have come--and gone." + +"Yes--and I am still comandante," bluster reasserting itself. Then, to +his wife: "That peon valet laid out my new uniform all right, but he +gave me my old sword belt. There's simply no depending on the fellow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +BROWN TAKES A HAND AT DIPLOMACY + +"The consummate sentimental bookworm! He hasn't gumption enough to +manage a hedge school." Farquharson threw himself into a chair and +crossed his legs, knocking over another chair in the process. It was +in the house of the English consul. + +"I haven't caught breath after the pandemonium this morning," returned +the consul. "I'm glad to be back here alive." + +"See here, Twickenham, you're a civilian, and have no stomach for +fighting, and not to blame either; but Fairbanks is a fighting machine. +It's his business to shoot and be shot at. Sentiment is out of place +in a commander of a fleet. A plague on him! Barcelo flips a few +birdshot out of a brace or two of pill boxes. The British nation bows. +Well, you saw the farce this morning. By Jove! I'll have Fairbanks +before the high court, to answer for his work--or lack of it." +Farquharson was now nervously stepping up and down the room. + +"I've had my signal-fires on the hills since noon, asking the Admiral +to meet me. I want it to be on land, or anywhere off his ships. On +neutral ground I'm free to call his conduct by the name it deserves. +England has suffered humiliation to-day, and all because of him! The +dolt!" + +"I thought the ship would begin bombardment at once. I don't mind +confessing that 'twas a dread time as far as I was concerned." + +"Begin bombardment!" Farquharson paused in his walk. "Why didn't he +blast the old fort into nothingness, and California would be ours. +I'll wake him when I meet him." + +"Hold on, Captain! If that blasting process of yours had gone on, we, +personally, wouldn't possess California, or anything else, now." + +"O, Twickenham! Well, you're not a fighting man. Besides, Admiral +Fairbanks didn't know we were in the castle. Furthermore, there was +safety enough in the subways, if we had minded to go there." + +Again he threw himself into a chair, and began fuming anew. "Now, +there's Señora Valentino! She left Europe, and all that this meant to +the woman she is. She has come to this out-of-the-way place--worked +hard! and conscientiously! And for what? By the way, the señora +should be here. She sent word she's heard something important. She's +five minutes overdue as it is." + +"That clock is fast, Captain." + +Farquharson looked at his watch. "Only two minutes fast." He was on +his feet again. "What can have kept her!" + +"O, sit down, Farquharson. Let's talk over this matter." + +"Talk over the matter! That's just the trouble. It's talk, talk, +talk!--and nothing done! Just wait till I meet Fairbanks! I'll----" + +"Now, see here, Captain Farquharson. I'm only a business man, and I +don't know anything about fighting, as you intimate. But, can't you +and the señora bring Barcelo to some reasonable attitude in this +affair? Have him and Admiral Fairbanks arrange an entente cordiale, so +that Monterey will pass into our hands without a repetition of this +morning's fusillade." + +The consul's wife ushered in Señora Valentino. + +"Friends, I have received news from Half Moon Bay," the señora +announced, coming to the point at once, and waiving all greetings. + +"Of Billings's fleet?" + +"Yes. The sloop-of-war, the Cyane, went aground some time yesterday." + +"How did the news come? Is it authentic?" + +"It is, Captain. Alberto, the peon, brought me word. By day and night +he hurried." + +"Splendid, señora!" + +"Commodore Billings has only one other vessel, and that is his +flagship, the United States," added the señora. + +"Billings isn't likely to try to force the harbor with a single boat. +The Yankee's mishap is our opportunity." + +"But the Cyane may float at highest tide which comes in a few days now." + +The señora then added significantly: "The United States can care little +for this territory, judging from the weakness of their Pacific fleet. +We must press this on our reluctant Admiral." + +"Yes, we'll have to coax him back into Monterey, as a mother leads a +bashful child into company. But--that bumptious Barcelo! What has he +to say of his conduct? California voted to come under our protection, +he with the others. What, under heaven's name, prompted him?" + +"The real man was to the fore this morning, Captain. His blustering +second self was submerged." + +"Second self submerged? Well! And did the cannonading in that rickety +fort settle the dregs? My word! But what does he say of it all?" + +"That his honor demanded the resistance." + +"Then, why in the world didn't he think of that when he voted at the +baile? Not bid us to gather our basket of eggs, only to throw a +bowlder into the midst." + +"The Colonel's mind was on cribbage that night rather than on the +province." + +"And the coming of the ships took his mind from cards to fighting," +elevating his eyebrows. + +"Disappointed ambition did that." + +"Disappointed ambition? Señora, we gave him no assurance of office +under our regime." + +"No, but he cherished the desire, and importuned you this morning to +confirm it." + +"Well, he received his answer." The Captain's back stiffened. + +"Yes, Captain Farquharson, and he gave us his. The soldier of other +days awoke." + +"I should say he did! I wish his popguns had shaken into Fairbanks +some of that same spirit." + +The señora rose to go. "A message will bring me, Captain, when you get +in touch with the Admiral." + +"I am expecting each moment to hear from him. At least he can use his +guns to fire signals." + +Both Farquharson and Twickenham attended the lady to the street. + +The holiday appearance was gone from the capital. Many of the +residents had taken themselves and their families out of the +possible-danger zone. The others remained well within the shadow of +their own rooftrees. + +Farquharson's horse took him to the high ground back of the city. +Reaching perpendicularly from a half dozen hills were thin pillars of +signal smoke. Touching the upper air drafts they bent horizonward, and +drifted slowly into nothingness. + +"My smoke does its work all right, but Fairbanks's guns appear to be +dumb. Drat the fellow!" + +His glasses pointed out to sea. For a moment, by chance, it rested on +the town below. + +"Well, anyway Monterey will learn that every day isn't a fiesta day." +He half chuckled. + +Again he directed his attention to the smoke now ascending in fresh +volume as peons replenished the fires. Again he swept the ocean with +his spyglass. + +A small boat was landing on the beach below the castle. The crew, +waist-deep in water, was sliding it in, on the crest of a breaker. One +man separated from the others and walked toward the town. The spyglass +covered him, though Farquharson's thoughts were elsewhere. + +"Why! Why!" in a moment, "it's old Brown. What's he been doing on a +native fishing-boat?" + +He shut his glass together; looked once more at the smoke columns, then +cantered down the hill. He came on his former employee near the plaza. + +"How do, Brown?" + +"Fine, Cap'. How are you?" + +"Glad to see you, Brown." + +"Same here, Cap'. I'm powerful glad." + +Farquharson and the Missourian gripped in cordial handshake. + +"Brown, I just saw you leave that sailboat. Are you engaged in +catching fish?" + +Brown leaned against the Captain's horse, tangled his hand in its mane, +crossed one foot over the other, and said: "Nary fishin', Cap'." + +"Well, that's a deep-sea fishing-boat." + +"I reckon. But I didn't fish none in that craft." + +"Out for pleasure, then. Well, what have you been doing with yourself +since I saw you last?" + +Brown wagged his head. + +"Cap', I signed up with you in Santa Fé on prospect of big game huntin' +and adventure. Well, there's been no big game, but I'm meetin' +adventure, at last." + +"I'm much interested. I presume you were in this boat when the +bombardment was going on this morning." + +"Nope. Only met her a while back. Cap', you couldn't guess where I +was this mornin'." + +"Well," laughing, "as you would say, I reckon not." + +Brown wagged his head once more, placed his back squarely against the +horse, and announced impressively: "Cap'n Farquharson, this mornin' I +was on the flagship of Ad_my_ral Fairbanks." + +The Captain dropped the bridle-rein in his astonishment. The horse +sidled away suddenly, and Brown nearly lost his equilibrium. + +"Admiral Fairbanks's flagship!" incredulously. "Why, I thought you had +taken service with Mendoza." + +Brown recovered balance. + +"Yes, Mr. Mendoza has hired me to work for him at Mission San José, and +I was on Ad_my_ral Fairbanks's ship this mornin'." + +"How in the name of common sense, man, can you reconcile the two +things?" + +"Well, Cap', let me say, there's some things I won't speak of, seein' +they're political and we're on different sides." + +"Never mind, Brown; tell me how you came to be with Fairbanks to-day." + +"Well, Cap', yesterday mornin' a bunch of Injuns were rowin' me out to +one of our warships, for what purpose I'll not say." + +"All right, Brown. It was doubtless at Half Moon Bay. But never mind, +go on." + +"Well, Cap', whether it was or not, we got lost in the fog. Never saw +so thick a fog. Couldn't see a rowlock." + +"Yes, yes." + +"Well, my Injuns rowed and rowed, and palavered, and what not. Then, +they began cryin' and prayin'-like, and I understood we was lost. +Hours went by. Waves began splashin' into the boat later, and I knew +we had got out to sea. Innards felt awkward. Small boat's a mean +place for seasickness." + +"Brown, I mean no offense, but will you not tell me, in a few words, +how you happened into Fairbanks's flagship?" + +"Sure. Fine ship she is. You ever been on board, Cap'?" + +Farquharson laughed. + +"You are the same old Brown, I see. Now, forge ahead." + +"Sure pop, Cap'. Injuns finally gave up, dropped oars and lay down in +the bottom of the boat. I didn't blame 'em; fact there was as much +sense in that as doin' anything else, under the circumstances." + +The Englishman leaned on the pommel and waited resignedly. + +"All suddenly the wind began to blow harder. Whew! but she came +a-kitin'. Seen the same thing many a time on the Mississippi River. +Boat pitched like a log fallin' down hill. Boss Injun grabbed the +tiller, and howled jabber-talk at the others like all-possessed. +Oarsmen got their paddles goin' in no time. Didn't think such quick +work was in the critters." + +"Brown--I'm--listening." + +"All right, Cap'. I'll go on talkin'. Well, fog began clearin'. The +Injuns took heart; put the boat about and started off for somewhere. +First thing I knew, we were in trouble again. The ocean pitched wors'n +before, though the wind had eased up. Soon, sir, our boat lifted clear +of the water and dived down like a duck. Yes, sir!" + +"Yes." + +"Seems to me I went along on down for ten fathoms anyway. Awfullest +commotion under there you ever heard of. All the time I was thinkin', +yes, sir, thinking that as much as I wanted adventure I wasn't lookin' +for it on the bottom of the ocean. + +"Then, I began whirlin', till I didn't know anything. First I remember +I was top of the waves once more, sort o' dazed like, and whippin' away +from us, like a hurricane, was an all-fired big ship. She was just +a-clippin' it, knots and knots per hour. You see, we'd been caught in +her wash, and just naturally capsized." + +"Yes, yes. It was the flagship, was it?" + +"Certain, Cap', and neat work she did pickin' us up. I was floatin' on +my back, tryin' to think, when a rowboat came along. A couple of +sailors caught me by my midships and shirt collar. In no time I was +across a thwart, head hangin' down, and the sea-water just boilin' out +o' my mouth. Sooner than I could tell it every one of the Injuns was +aboard and likewise bein' deprived of the water they'd swallowed. + +"Well, the big boat slowed up and waited. Our rowboat was soon +alongside, and we were hauled up." + +"So, Fairbanks brought you to Monterey and dropped you on that fishing +smack. Brown, I'm glad you've met with an adventure at last. The +fleet was off the harbor when you left, was it not? The entire seven +ships, I mean." + +"Cap', the seven ships were out there all right. But I don't consider +that capsizin' my real adventure. No, sir!" + +"You met another mishap?" turning his bridle-rein, and looking at the +signal smoke. "I hope it terminated as well for you as the first. +What was it?" + +"Nary mishap. Last night I had an interview with the Ad_my_ral." + +Farquharson's attention quickly turned back to Brown. "An interview +with Fairbanks?" + +"Yes. And I had another this afternoon, a bunch of officers bein' +present. I consider these interviews worthy of the name of adventure." + +"Man, man, what are you talking about?" + +"About interviews and adventures, Cap'. You were askin' about 'em. Do +you mind my telling you, friend Cap', that you seem sort o' forgetful +and absent-mindedlike? Guess I'll be goin'." The American made a move +to depart and held out his hand to Farquharson. + +"No, no, Brown, don't go. I'll pull my wits together. I'm more than +interested. Your interviews appeared so big to me that I couldn't just +catch it at first. Now, please tell me all about it." + +"All right, Cap'. Since you're so interested I'll begin at the +beginnin'. First, I and the Injuns were taken to a real nice place. +Beds were there, and everything looked fine. A feller in uniform came +'round, the ship's doctor, and ordered me to 'get out o' those +clothes.' My clothes were wet and uncomfortable, anyway, so I didn't +mind 'em off, and off they came. He poked and pulled me most +unmerciful. 'You're not hurt,' said he, when I'd got so mad I wouldn't +have stood another poke. 'I'd have told you that in the beginnin',' I +informed him. Then to another uniformed feller he called. 'Brandy for +him, a full gill, and get him some dry clothes.' Well, the Injuns---- + +"Brown, let's come to that interview as soon as we can. Of course I +would like to hear every particular, but time is rather short just now, +and I do want to hear all about your talk with the Admiral." + +Farquharson's horse caught his master's impatience and pranced around +the American. Brown pivoted, keeping his face turned to the Captain. + +"Now, see here, Cap', if I tell you it all, it's likely to rile you up. +But it's no secret. I'd be willin' to tell it to anybody; and, between +man and man, I'd rather you'd hear it from me than from somebody else. +On the whole, I'm glad I've a chance to tell you, myself, bein' that +we've been such good friends. 'Course, Cap', I'd be sorry to lose your +friendship, but politics is politics, and I talked to the Ad_my_ral to +boost my own side, which same side is the United States." + +"Go on, Brown. I hope you will tell it all. I know very well which +side you're on, and, as you say, 'Politics is politics!'" + +"All right, just as you say, Cap'. A uniformed man brought me some +clothes. He was chaplain. Nice, clever young feller he was. I soon +got into them clothes. I engaged him in conversation, as to his place +of residence, and so forth. Then he engaged me." Brown's language +assumed company dress for the moment. He straightened up, took off his +hat, and continued: + +"The chaplain said to me, 'You're familiar with Monterey, are you?' +'Yes,' I said. 'I was 'round there considerable when I worked for +Cap'n Farquharson.' Cap', he knew you like a book. Said I, 'The Cap'n +is smart on politics, but his politics don't go in California.' 'Why +not?' he asked me. 'We won't have it,' I said. 'Who?' he asked again. +'The American nation,' I said, 'represented by the American fleet, +"Seenyore" Mendoza, and no end of Spanish big fellers. They're clear +agen it, and so am I.' + +"The chaplain perked up a good deal at this. I went on. '"Seenyore" +Mendoza, my present employer, fought old Napoleon,' said I. 'The +"Seenyore" came here, I reckon, to get rid of tyrants. He'll fight to +the last ditch before he'll let any of 'em get in here, and I'm with +him.' + +"The young preacher looked some serious now. He went away after a +while." + +"Go on, Brown, please." + +"All right, Cap'. The name of the Ad_my_ral's boat is the Vanguard, I +forgot to say. Well, after supper the preacher came 'round again. +'The Ad_my_ral wants to see you,' he said." + +"You went, of course; and what happened there?" + +"I could see from the start the preacher was strong with the Ad_my_ral. +'Mr. Blair tells me you are familiar with Monterey,' the Ad_my_ral +said. 'I'm pretty familiar,' I told him. The Ad_my_ral's room's fixed +up fine, almost like Mr. Mendoza's parlor, only not so big. 'You're +the Brown who was in Cap'n Farquharson's service for a time?' he asked +knowin'-like. 'If you mean his employ, yes,' I said. 'I've heard the +Cap'n speak of you as an honest feller,' he went on pleasant enough, +but watchin' sharp's a cat at a mouse-hole. I remarked to him, 'I and +all my folks are honest, makin' it a point to be square in money +matters.' + +"'You've quit Cap'n Farquharson's employ?' he asked. 'Yes,' I said. +'How was that?' said he. 'O, for reasons,' said I, and shut up like a +clam. You see, Cap', he was askin' personal questions, which I don't +allow no man, providin' I don't want to answer. + +"In a minute he inquired casuallike, 'You're now in the employ of +"Seenyore" Mendoza, is that it?' I replied very shortlike, 'I am,' and +started to shut up like another clam, then I thought better of it and +blurted out, 'The "Seenyore" is determined no king sets up in business +'round this part o' the world.' + +"'Where does this "Seenyore" live?' asked the Ad_my_ral. 'At Mission +San José,' I told him. 'Mission San José? How long?' 'Ever since he +quit fightin' old Napoleon, I reckon,' I said. I tell you, that +Ad_my_ral's eyes opened wide. 'Has the "Seenyore" a following in the +province?' he asked. + +"I was gettin' pretty mad about then. I told him about the riflemen +Mr. Mendoza has drillin', and drillin', Spaniards, Injuns, and all. + +"Well, the Ad_my_ral looked away and looked away. Then suddenly he +asked, 'Describe Mendoza's appearance.' I pretty soon did. 'Yes, the +same man,' he said. + +"He was awful quiet for a minute, then he spoke out to himself like. +'Why has no one told me about Mendoza's activities here? He's a man to +be taken into consideration. I knew him years ago.' + +"Finally the Ad_my_ral said, 'I'll test it out. Sail into Monterey, +just as we'd planned.' + +"I spoke up, 'Monterey don't want you. If anybody says they do, it's +politics. Mebbe you can shoot all these cannon at 'em tell they +couldn't fight back any more, but just the same they don't want you.' + +"The Ad_my_ral looked mighty queer. When I left he was still thinkin' +and thinkin'. + +"We sailed into Monterey harbor and out again, I still stayin' on the +Ad_my_ral's boat, bein's I couldn't get off, the walkin' not bein' +exactly what you'd call good. + +"First thing I knew, I was in the Ad_my_ral's room a second time. A +power of officers were there from the other ships. 'Repeat your +statement of last night, if you will,' he asked of me. Well, I did. +Then the Ad_my_ral spoke up, 'The man's words were verified this +mornin' by the fort firin' on us.' + +"The officers looked black as thunder. One big feller said, 'Reduce +their defenses and invest the city at once.' the Ad_my_ral replied, +'I've no call to take Monterey, if she's unwillin', and I'll not do it.' + +"Another officer spoke up, savage as the dickens. 'The honor of her +Majesty's navy is assailed. Let the fleet take over the city!' 'Not +while I'm commandin' the fleet,' put in the Ad_my_ral. + +"They were talkin' when I left. Mebbe they're at it yet. The fishboat +was waitin' for me and the Injuns. She skimmed through the waves like +grease, and here I be." + +"Confounded chicken-hearted cad!" the Captain exploded. + +"How!" from Brown sharply. + +"I refer to Fairbanks." + +"Fine old gent. Even if his politics does differ from mine I'm not +agen him as such." + +Farquharson stared at the sea. "Well, your friend Fairbanks, the +Admiral, has done what might be expected from him." + +"I reckon you know him better'n I do." + +"Brown, you have done devilish work." Farquharson's face turned on the +other. + +"Cap', if it's harm to you personal, I'm sorry. If it's to your side +in politics, as I reckon it is, I'm all-fired glad." + +The Captain continued looking at Brown for a minute. His frown faded. +"You've had your adventure, old man, and you've hunted big game. Yes, +by Jove! and bagged it too." A curious smile crept over his features. + +"Well, I haven't got it with me, Cap'." + +"Say, Brown, when you went out yesterday toward that warship of yours, +did you see that the Cyane----" + +"No, you don't, Cap'. That there's where secrets come in, secrets from +you and your side." + +"Boom! Boom!--Boom! Boom! Boom!--Boom! Boom!" sounded from the sea. + +Farquharson listened intently. + +The signal was repeated. "Boom! Boom!--Boom! Boom! Boom!--Boom! +Boom!" + +"Yerba--Buena--to-morrow," Farquharson muttered, anger clinching his +teeth, as his horse, under a vicious jab of the spur, dashed forward +and into the town, unceremoniously leaving Brown. + +"Signaling, hey? Them cannons were boomers, all right. I've been +noticing that smoke, back up on the hills, all the time I was talkin' +to the Cap', and I expected to see or hear somethin' answer back." + +He walked leisurely through the plaza and reached the city just in time +to see Farquharson and Señora Valentino ride away in hurried gallop. + +"Ah, ah! Simon J. Brown, get to work yourself. Find a horse and light +out for the north." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +BRAVING THE STORM + +"A hurricane in midsummer in the temperate zone. A raging ocean, named +Pacific. A non-combatant admiral commanding a fighting fleet. What a +diabolical combination!" + +"Add, the hurricane is piling water on the swelling tides at Half Moon +Bay. Soon, the Cyane, willy, nilly, deserts her sand-banks," was +Señora Valentino's doleful contribution. + +"And the Yankee commodore flies his flag over Monterey, appending the +province to Yankeedom. Blast it all! I'd give a kingdom----" He +paused. + +"'For a horse,' does your Shakespeare say?" smiling a little. "There +is only one thing left. If the mountain does not come to Mohammed, +then Mohammed must go to the mountain." + +"Señora, put out in a small boat to the flagship, you mean? It would +be futile, and surely end in death. Now, let us go to the top of the +hill." + +A bluff thickly wooded with scrub oak had sheltered them. Their +sure-footed horses nimbly climbed a precipitous path zigzagging to the +summit. + +"See, señora. Look, if you can." + +They were on Point Lobos crest, overhanging San Francisco Bay, with +Yerba Buena village straggling along the harbor line. + +Grit and sand whistled through the air, biting the skin, choking the +throat and stinging the eyes. With arched backs and drooping heads +their mounts met the storm. A hundred invisible angry hands buffeted +the man and woman thus inquisitively breasting the humor of the +elements. + +The wind lessened, as wearied by too great exertion. The spiteful +sand-drive ceased. Dimly at first, then plainly, yellow dunes +hummocked into sight. Speaking the fury of a half hemisphere of water +rose the crescendo of the surf. + +Through the thinning haze they peered toward the west. There was the +sea. Miles away, under bare poles, save here and there a strip of +canvas, struggled the English fleet, each ship face to the gale, the +spyglass showed them, now rising on beam end; now sliding prow +downward; then teetering and dancing. + +"Señora, Fairbanks dares not enter the harbor. It is equally +impossible for me to get out to him. The storm is rising again. We +must return to the village." + +Gusts of wind pursued them as they hastened over yielding sand and wild +strawberry-plot, or broke through scrub-brush and tree-growth. +Pitiless dust-clouds drove them again from the open to the protection +of a bluff. + +They started out once more. + +"Captain," in half-stifled voice, "this is the third day Fairbanks's +vessels have stood there performing antics. No?" + +"Yes, señora, and the third day we have been in Yerba Buena waiting for +Fairbanks to keep his tryst with us. A hundred times we have gone over +this. I feel greatly to blame that I consented to bring you out into +this simoon again to-day. What good?" + +"But, think you, to-morrow is highest tide. If Commodore Billings's +sloop-of-war floats, no hurricane keeps him from blockading Monterey. +Yes, and the guns of Colonel Barcelo could not prevent him from seizing +castle and city." + +"Fairbanks should be shot!" + +"Captain, had Barcelo been kept in ignorance as to the spoils of office +his latent patriotism might still be slumbering; but your English +truthfulness was too much for even a wise diplomat like yourself." + +"I was a fool! an inexcusable fool! But who would have thought the +Comandante capable of such vim and sudden action? Besides, señora, +there was Brown. He stirred up quite a kettle of fish in his own way." + +"True. But Fairbanks put in, notwithstanding Brown, and would have +occupied the city, had his reception been more cordial." + +"Yes, yes." + +"Of course both circumstances worked hand in hand. Doubtless, neither +by itself would have deterred Fairbanks. In any event, it's no use +repining." + +"You are very kind, señora. Curse it all anyway!" After several +moments in which neither spoke, Farquharson continued: "Well, Brown; +good old Brown. He's a mighty decent fellow, true to his colors, and +fights as fair as the rest of us." + +They halted their horses. Beneath them, a little to the right, was a +group of cabins belonging to fisher folk, smoke arising from the +chimneys, telling of warmth and crude comfort inside. The boats of the +habitants, high drawn up, were securely fastened to their moorings. + +The wind roared and hissed and fumed. The señora and the Captain +seemed not to heed it. They were looking, straight-eyed, out to the +lashing sea whereon lay their hopes and their fears. + +"Captain, your friend Brown found his way to Fairbanks's ship. No?" + +"Yes, Brown--tumbled--on board." + +Their horses were side by side, yet Farquharson's voice sounded muffled +through the howling wind. + +"Ah! tumbled. Yes. Still, he gained the Admiral's ear. No?" + +"Fate threw the game in Brown's favor, and against us." + +"Fate causes the daring one to win; the laggard, to lose. Is it not +so?" raising her shoulders and waving a hand, with the grace of the +Latin and the art of a beautiful woman. + +The spirit of the air paused again. + +"Señora, if you mean, by any chance, that I should send a boat out, +why, only a madman would go. Besides Comandante Pacheco would permit +no boat to leave the presidio; and the alcalde would do the same for +Yerba Buena village." + +Time passed. The señora suddenly spurred her horse. The startled +animal leaped forward. "Come, Captain, let us go to town," she called, +already several lengths ahead. + +They rode persistently on till they reached a small shed far down where +they stopped for rest. + +"Perdition on this inactivity! If we could only do something--anything +to fill in the time in this dead little hole." + +"Yes, Captain," in a detached voice. + +"I have a suggestion. My good hostess, Señora Ramon, showed me +yesterday a chess-board most remarkable in workmanship, brought by the +señor her husband from Spain years ago. They spend many evenings over +the game, she tells me. Let us borrow the board and its men and while +away a few hours. At least with these we can have the satisfaction of +planning--and executing--our own maneuvers. I wish we had done this +before, instead of indulging in useless, nerve-wracking vigils." + +"Thank you, Captain, but I--I shall be otherwise engaged this +afternoon." + +"I understand, señora. You do, truly, need a good rest. Excuse me for +my thoughtlessness. I know you are worn out. I believe, now that I +think of it, I'll follow your example, go to my quarters and turn in +for a time myself." + +After partaking of a warm luncheon which her friend Señora Aguirre had +prepared, the señora went to her room. In the home of Señor Ramon, at +the other end of the village, the Captain settled himself for a siesta. +Not so the señora. Tying her hair closely, she put on a long, thick +cloak which she carefully buttoned, placing the hood on her head and +well down over her ears; lastly, a veil around her face. Then she +wrote a short note. + +Opening a window she dropped lightly to the ground, keeping under the +eaves till the rear of the house was reached. As swiftly as would a +boy she ran to the stable and ordered the sleepy groom to give her an +untired horse. She was soon off, vying with the wind in speed, +ignoring, in her eagerness, both storm and cutting sand. + +She came to the cabins near which she and the Captain had been standing +not two hours ago. Taking the first house at hand she unceremoniously +opened the door. The surprised occupants, a man and woman, with three +nearly grown sons, started from various attitudes of inertia and +excitedly greeted the lady. + +"Quick! Quick!" she said. "A boat at once! I must reach those ships +out there before the night falls." + +"Never, señora. It would mean the life of anyone attempting it." + +"No, no! Come! Let us be off! Quick!" hastily opening a small +chamois bag. Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, one hundred dollars in +gold she counted out. "It is all yours, if you will but come." + +The youngest of the sons would do as she wished, if the father and +brothers would join. They would not. Yet she urged. The wailing of +the woman of the family offset any progress she might have made with +the men. + +A large diamond ring which the señora always wore, day or evening, +gleamed insinuatingly into her eyes. She caught its message. Hastily +removing it she held it out: + +"This and the gold, as well, shall be yours. See, it is worth a +fortune. Come, be quick! A boat!" + +"But we shall drown! We shall drown!" + +"I tell you no," and before they realized what they were doing they +were out of the house, the señora pulling at the ropes which confined +one of the largest of the little cluster of vessels. + +The boat was soon at the edge of the water. The señora jumped in. The +men, half dazed, followed. They bent to the oars, the señora's +commands accompanied by the weeping vociferations of the fisher-wife +and mother. The other cabins had now emptied themselves, and men, +women, and children united in the hue and cry. It was too late. +Despite the handicap of wind and wave the sturdy craft was well out, +under the compelling influence of the señora's determination. + +Time after time they were on the verge of overturning. Time after time +huge billows challenged them. Again, the men wearied almost to +exhaustion, would have given up the oars, to drift as they would, had +not the señora, her eyes flaming, threatened them with all the terrors +of an inferno; or as the mood changed, pleading with them with the +earnestness of a Paul. + +They passed the shadows of Point Lobos and fared out across the bar to +the open sea. Here the storm king's fury was at focus, the incoming +and outgoing seas forming a rip tide. The boat twisted, pitched, +tossed; was flung around and around. Wave upon wave rolled over them. +By some trick of fortune they were not hurled into the ocean. + +The father and eldest son bent all their iron strength to the oars; +while the others baled out the boat with might and main, the señora +aiding energetically. + +"Now, broad-backed father and mighty son, another stroke, and another!" +With the incision of steel her voice pierced the roar of the tempest, +in words of encouragement. "Another stroke and we're head on again. +Grande, hombres! She's empty of water now, and lighter to row. +Adelante!" + +Slowly over surge and sea-trough they crawled. + +Just as they appeared to be getting a little the best of the situation +a tremendous rush of water caught the boat, whirled it about and bore +it harborward at terrific rate. Before the storm it sped, back to the +lea of Point Lobos hills. Here the fishermen regained control. + +"Madre de Dios!" exclaimed the father. "Over in one of those coves +we'll find shelter where we can wait a while, till we can get back +home." + +"Point Lobos arroyo is here. We can land," said one of the sons. + +"Hombres, turn the boat and sail out to the ships," Señora Valentino +spoke. + +"No," from the father, decisively. "Neither your money nor your jewel +can give life to the drowned." + +"Father mine," from the youngest son, "why not go out again?" + +"Silly fool! Go out and be food for fish? No." + +"Ah! the youth is willing to face the dangers. A woman laughs at them. +Yet the most skilled boatman of Yerba Buena is afraid! A pretty story +to be told around the net mending on the beach. A pretty story! No?" + +The man grunted. + +"Five hundred other gold pesos, if you reach the ships. Why not be +rich, enjoy life, and leave fishing to others?" + +The Mexican grunted again, "No." + +"Turn about. I warn you," resolution burning her words. + +"No, I shall not. Death awaits if I do." + +Her hand rose suddenly. The man looked into the barrel of a pistol +which the señora pointed steadily at him. "Death awaits, if you do +not!" + +"Huh!" growled the father, "your powder's wet and your pistol good for +nothing. You can't fool me." + +She fired the pistol into the air; drew a second weapon from beneath +her cloak and pointed it in level aim. + +"The next shot will not go wild. Turn back, I say; else I crook my +finger, ever so slightly, and you die, a coward! Your name a byword +among fishermen!" + +The man said nothing. Pride, and desire of gain spoke urgently; but, +he knew the temper of an angry sea. On the other hand--that pistol +barrel glinting so unpleasantly; and the eye of the +señora--darkening--threatening. What a will that white woman has! Her +hand was tightening--her finger beginning to press the trigger. + +"Out to sea, boys!" he cried, suddenly, gripping the oars. "Get to +work with your paddles. All together! Now!" + +Once more they made the bar. The wind had veered from west to north. +A tiny sail, close-reefed, was raised. The boat flew southward along +the coast, just outside the whitening edge of breakers. The fleet lay +to the right, but their only hope of reaching the flagship was not in +direct course, but in wide sweep out to sea, then to circle back toward +the west. + +The afternoon wore away. The sun dipped below the water's edge. +Leagues out of sight of either land or warships had they come. + +The sail was reefed yet closer. Father and sons tugged on the tiller +rope. The rudder, square across the course, brought the boat head to +wind which was again blowing westward. + +The little craft cavorted like a bucking broncho; then wheeled, and +dashed homeward again. A sudden gust tore her canvas from its cordage. +The men sprang to the oars, and mightily fought the sea until the boat +was once more in the teeth of the gale. + +They were in their element now. Many a night had these fishermen lain +out on the sea when unforeseen storm made entering the harbor perilous. +Crossing the bar against an ocean's fury was one thing; to toss, boat +to windward, safe from treacherous rocks, for a night or longer, was +quite another matter. + +"Señora," spoke the father, "with our sail we could have reached your +ships by time of dark. We cannot with the oars. There's nothing to do +but lie here. When morning comes we'll row you to where you wish to +go." + +The stars crept out and kept watch over the heaving craft. The waves +hurled spray against the backs of the oarsmen, of which they took no +notice, except as the father would occasionally direct one of his sons +to bale out the water. + +Señora Valentino, who had sat for hours through repeated drenchings, +shook with the cold. She was in the stern of the boat facing the +others. Through the dimness they saw her crouching, elbows on knees, +her body quivering, her teeth chattering. + +Their rude chivalry awoke. The father spoke to one of the sons, who +searched in the locker till he found a skin which had been rubbed over +with seal oil. The lady wrapped herself in it. + +The storm abated, and the cold increased correspondingly. The señora +drew the coat more tightly about her. After a while she slept. + +The fishermen began talking in low tones. + +"Five hundred pesos," from the eldest son, "besides the one hundred in +hand! We can buy the store of Manuel Lopez, and sell the fish that +others catch." + +"Five hundred pesos," from the youngest. "Is there that much money in +the world? I wonder why the señora is so anxious to get on board the +ships?" + +"Past finding out are the ways of white people," the father replied. +"Long have I ceased to try to understand them." + +"I think," the boy continued, "that she must have a lover there." + +"Quién sabe? If it is a lover I'll think he'll find she possesses +spirit. Santa Maria! If all women had half as much, children, I'd bid +you never marry." + +"She is most generous with money," in way of defense from the second +son. + +"Money flies into the Spaniard's pocket, and out again. They care +nothing for it. But this one," nodding to the sleeping woman, "would +have killed us to-day if she had not been given her way." + +"We've been calling her 'señora.' I believe we should have said +'señorita,'" came from the eldest son. + +"I think so too; and I'm sure it's her lover she is going to meet out +there," returned the youngest son. + +"Anyway, she's very young, and very handsome." + +"Handsome is that handsome does," retorted the father. + +"But she makes our fortune for us; and she took the risk in coming here +the same as we," reminded the middle son. + +The wind spent itself finally in a few rampant whirls. The boat +commenced to rock in even motion. The boys worked industriously with +the baling pails. + +The father took from the locker two or three fishnets. These he +bunched together and placed on the bottom of the vessel near where the +lady was sitting. He touched her on the shoulder. "Awake, señora. +The wind has gone down, and we'll no longer ship water. I've made you +quite a good bed from these fishnets. You can lie here and sleep till +morning." + +"Thank you, hombre," as she snuggled down on the improvised bed. + +"We usually have aguardiente, but none's left in the locker this trip. +Only by chance did we have that coat you're wearing." + +"I'm very comfortable, I shall be as warm as if I were at home in my +own room," she laughed. "Thank you, again, very, very much." + +"These summer nights pass quickly. It is morning before we know." + +Hers was the sleep of exhaustion. + +The rattle of oars in rowlocks awakened her. The men were no longer +merely holding to the wind, but were pulling vigorously. She felt the +boat urge forward with each stroke. She raised herself a little and +looked over the gunwale. There was darkness everywhere, save when the +starlight flashed thinly on some wave-roof. + +"A good part of the night is spent, lady," the father said. "The +currents begin to run as usual, now that the storm is past. I'm +beating to the windward of your ships. You may as well go back to +sleep." + +After two hours or so he called to her. "Which ship is it that you +want, señora?" + +She looked about. Morning had come. + +"Ah! the reenforcements are here," to herself. "Our Admiral has now +eleven men-of-war." Then to the boatman: "That vessel on the left, the +large one flying two flags. Sabe?" + +"Si, señora." + +The Mexicans plied their oars yet more diligently. + +Miles slipped away. + +"Boat, ahoy!" called the lookout on the flagship. + +"Ship, ahoy!" in reply from the señora. "I'm coming on board with a +message for the Admiral." + +Without warning a fragment of storm-beaten sea, tearing toward the +harbor, caught alike fisher-boat and man-of-war. + +"Fend off, men! Fend off! Our suction'll swamp you," shouted the +lookout to the fishermen. + +Oars were useless against the onrush. + +The leaning masts of the warship overhung the struggling fisher-boat, +wheeled upward, then away. Into the maelstrom drew the little craft. +Sailors under hurried orders scurried about the decks of the listing +man-of-war. Ropes whisked over the sides down to the water which was +overclouded by foam and spray. + +"The little chap's sunk!" sounded from the man-of-war. + +"No, she ain't. 'Ere's a taut rope. Belike she's fast." + +Figures clinging to the boat, upturned, were bobbing about in the +settling mist. + +"She's fast to our line, nose aloft like a hooked fish!" from the decks. + +"There's a H'english girl on board!" shouted the look out. "Didn't ye +'ear 'er yell?" + +Sailors, ropes knotted under their arms, were dropped to the sea by +their fellows. + +"Them's Mexicans," sputtered a big salt rolling over the taffrail with +his burden. "I've a Mex. kid 'ere, I fancy." + +An elderly man, uniform gold-braided and gold-laced, came up. + +The supposed Mexican lad threw off the enveloping folds of the oiled +coat. Jauntily, hand raised as if in salute, Señora Valentino stepped +forth, apparently as fresh as ever in her life, despite her dripping +and clinging garments. + +"Come on board, sir!" + +"My God! Señora Valentino!" + +"At your service, Admiral Fairbanks," with an exaggerated curtsy. + +Sailors and marines backed away. + +"Madam, what has happened?" + +"Too little, sir. Much must happen, and at once," her eyes holding his. + +"First, hot blankets and the doctor's draughts, good lady." + +"I require neither. A change of clothing would be acceptable, but----" +lifting her hands deprecatingly. + +"Not so impossible as you might think. The cabin that was my wife's +will supply your needs, I'm sure. She left her keys with me when she +went ashore at the Cape. The dispatch-boat which sent me flying here +at an hour's notice left her no time to get her belongings. When you +have made ready we'll confer; that is, after you have seen Doctor +Bartlett." + + * * * * * + +"Señora Valentino," the Admiral had broken in, "Mr. Blair, our +chaplain, the man of many tongues, learned from the men with you your +experiences of yesterday and last night." + +"So, señor?" + +"The risk you took in coming to me speaks better your conviction that I +should take Monterey than could any word of yours. But, why has +Colonel Mendoza not been mentioned to me either by you or Captain +Farquharson? Why not?" + +"Señor Mendoza speaks much these days of democracy and fair play. Yet, +both democracy and fair play demand that the minority accepts the +decision of the majority. Why should we have mentioned Mendoza? He +stands almost alone. As to Governor Barcelo----" + +"Do not speak to me of Governor Barcelo! Only by threats of summary +court-martial did I prevent my captains from bombarding the capital the +other day." The Admiral sprang excitedly from his chair. + +"Wait a moment, Admiral, if you will." + +He was again seated. + +"Colonel Barcelo sends word to you through me that he has satisfied his +honor, and that you are at liberty to occupy Monterey, for all of him. +He has taken all his troopers to his hacienda eight leagues away in the +country." + +"When he fired on me, then, it was merely by way of shotted salute?" in +sarcasm. + +"Nothing more, practically." + +"Señora, a world war might easily start here." + +"Admiral, a world peace might begin here at your word. The United +States cares nothing for this territory. Two vessels only have +they--worn and old--in their Pacific squadron. They even call their +flagship 'the lumber wagon,' by way of jesting. California is the +balance weight of Texas and Oregon. The province calls to you. Peace +calls to you. Else the future sees dispute and war over province and +empire treasure-trove. + +"Admiral Fairbanks, this is the hour, and you are the man. If you +fail, and, later, the shadows of war darken these shores, then must you +answer at the bar of conscience and humanity. I have risked my own +life, and forced the poor Mexicans with me to risk theirs, that I might +plead with you." + +The commander looked earnestly at the woman. + +"Admiral, consider the tremendous potentialities that await your +inaction." + +He studied the floor in deep thought. + +"Now is the supreme moment, Admiral Fairbanks." + +The Admiral arose, looked out the window, walked back to his desk, put +his hands in his pocket, then clasped them behind him; once more went +to the window, and back again; took a speaking-tube off its hook. "How +are those Mexicans getting along in the cockpit, Doctor? Good. Have +they breakfasted? Each one enough for three, you say? Good." + +He sat quiet a moment. Arising, he came in front of the señora, lines +of firmness marking his face. + +"Too many times have the shadows of war darkened our world history. +Her gracious Majesty, our young Queen Victoria, ever counsels to work +in the interest of peace. Never have I had wish other than this. +Señora Valentino, what you say strikes home. I shall invest Monterey +to-morrow." + +A marine rapped at the door. He saluted and gave a message. + +"The Calliope signals that Padre Osuna wishes to speak with Admiral +Fairbanks." + +"Ah! she must have picked up the padre at San Diego," from the señora. +"The high wind has returned him north in double-quick time." + +"Let us go on deck, señora. The Calliope and three others came up +coast last night and knew us by our lights." + +A ship's boat was approaching bearing the Franciscan. As it swung +under the bow of the flagship the friar seized a rope and, hand over +hand, as adept as a sailor, he reached the side of the señora and the +Admiral. + +After a few words of greeting the padre, noting Señora Valentino's +questioning look, announced: "I have traveled from Monterey to San +Diego. The southland is crying aloud for English rule," directing his +words to the Admiral. + +"In the interest of peace, Padre Osuna, I shall take Monterey +to-morrow," from Fairbanks. + +After a few minutes in conversation the señora said: "Señora Padre, I +have boat and men here," pointing to the place where the Mexicans were +sitting on their inverted craft. "Will you not go with me to Yerba +Buena?" + +"I will, señora, and my thanks are yours." + +Sailors raised the boat on davits and lowered it to the water. The +fishermen joyfully turned home, the padre and the señora conversing +quietly in the stern. + +"That bloomin' Mexican has a lot o' money bulgin' under 'is belt," one +tar remarked to another, as they watched the fish-boat making for shore. + +"Haw! haw! haw!" laughed a third. "You should 'a seen Dickie this +mornin'. Somebody sings out, 'There's a H'english gal aboard.' 'No +such thing,' says Dickie, comin' over the side and spittin' water like +a sperm w'ale, 'they're h'all black Mex., an' 'e a 'oldin' the purtiest +w'ite gal I ever see h'all the time. Haw! haw!" slapping Dickie's +shoulder. Then, in different tones: "Admiral's signalin' a-plenty. +Wonder w'at h'it's all about." + +The señora, the padre and the Mexicans made Yerba Buena safely, and +found the little town in uproar over the astounding escapade of a +señora who had persuaded good, sane fishermen to go with her to sure +death. + +Father and sons escaped from congratulating friends to the seclusion of +their cot where, with the mother, they rejoiced over their good +fortune. Not only were they safe after an experience over which Yerba +Buena was to talk for a decade, but that most wealthy señor the ships' +treasurer had given each ten gold sovereigns for himself, besides +paying the sire the one hundred sovereigns promised by the señora. + +Señora Valentino was indefatigable as well as intrepid. Soon, with the +friar and Farquharson, she was dashing on horseback down the peninsula +toward Monterey. + +"So you read my note to Señora Aguirre," she remarked to Farquharson. + +"I did, and learned of your purpose to go out to the fleet. Finding at +the Mexican settlement that you had actually put this purpose into +effect I got a boat and was just pushing off to follow you when a +provost marshal placed me under arrest. Confound him! as if I didn't +have a right to do as I pleased, stormy or not! And that blasted +comandante held me at the presidio till your return." + +"Then you also were coming to the flagship? No?" + +"Señora, I never dreamed you would think of such a thing as going out +there by yourself. I've never felt so small in my life. It would be a +relief if I was lying at the bottom of the harbor." + +"Not so, Captain. It was a mad thing, my venturing forth; but, you +know, when a woman wills she will. So, no fault in you, Captain mine. +Pray think no more of it. As we ride along I'll tell you more of my +meeting with Fairbanks after I--tumbled on board his vessel." + +They reached the high ground near the Laguna de las Mercedes, two +leagues beyond Mission Dolores. A deep-voiced exclamation from Padre +Osuna, accompanied by a full-arm gesture, directed their attention to +the right. The ocean, as if making amends for violent temper of the +past days, lay in unruffled mood before them. The eleven vessels of +the fleet, spread white against sapphire arc, were sailing to the south. + +Farquharson's eyes, an admiring light in them, sought the señora. + +"Señora, Fairbanks is really going to Monterey!" + +She inclined her head. + +"You are a wonderful woman. I have said this before. I say it now +with double emphasis." + +The three halted and watched the fleet. + +"Come, let us ride on," from the señora, impatient at delay. + +"Well," remarked Farquharson, "Barcelo has spiked the castle guns, and +skedaddled. The Yankee's flagship is stuck in the mud, with her +consort, the Cyane. I wonder what the deuce will keep that old +dunderhead, Fairbanks out of Monterey now!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +BUT YET A WOMAN + +Fog everywhere. Congealed fog dripped from the roofs of Monterey. It +fell, drop, drop, drop, in elongated pearls, on the slippery flag walks +around the houses. Mountains of fog lay over the city, and slid in +huge avalanches into the valleys. The harbor and near-about sea were +filled with vapor-hills and crags. Fog blanketed the streets, blurred +the trees, blotted the symmetry of buildings into bewildering +shapelessness, and peopled the town with weird specters. + +Occasionally a candle-point showed feebly in a corner lamp. Once in a +while the dimness was accentuated by a lighted space streaking a +yellowish gleam into the semiopaqueness--the candle of some +early-rising Montereyan shining from his window. There were few of +these lights to aid the passer-by; and there were few passers-by. Not +only was the hour early for the people to be about, but the city itself +was almost tenantless. + +It was the beginning of the fifth day since the English fleet had +sailed into Monterey, and out again. + +Colonel Barcelo, with his soldiers, had marched away to Alisal, the +colors from the fort and from the square emblazoned at the head of his +column. After him rode the most of the wealth and fashion of the +capital; that is, the most of those who had not preceded him. + +The Colonel declared that he had satisfied honor, and that he would now +retire in face of superior force. + +Calmness of weather had succeeded wind-storm; still the fort slept +peacefully beneath the empty flagpole, and the city plaza caught no +shadow of foreign banner floating from the lofty staff in its center. + +A horseman rode into town, made his way hurriedly through the plaza and +crossed to a smaller plaza. He drew in sharply when he reached a house +in which a light was showing through the railing of a veranda on the +second story. He turned into the porte cochere. A vague figure was +heaped across the threshold of the front door. + +"Ola! Ola! Benito!" called the rider. + +The figure resolved itself into a man wrapped in a blanket. Turtlelike +his head emerged from its folds. + +"Benito is with Colonel Barcelo. I am Alberto, peon of Señor +Miramonte." + +"Has Señora Valentino returned to the capital? Do you know?" + +"The señora returned last night, señor." + +"Is she within?" + +"She is not, señor." + +"Where is she?" + +"She's away, señor." + +The man loosened rein and started down the street. + +"Captain Farquharson," called the peon, in tardy recognition. + +"Many pardons, but may I make free to speak? The señora brought my +wife, Lupincha, and me along as servants, since she heard the Barcelo +place is vacant. Señora Miramonte lent us. May I say, Captain, my +lady has taken Lupincha with her and, attended by a peon guard, is now +at the castle, leaving an hour ago?" + +"At the castle? An hour ago?" + +"Si, Señor Captain. Breakfast is to be served there." + +"Breakfast--at the castle!" the man speaking half to himself, and as if +perplexed. + +Alberto arose, huddled his blanket more closely about his shoulders, +and came to the rider. "Several señoras and señors will be at the +meal," he said in a low voice. In yet lower tone he added: "They are +there to see the arrival of the English, and the defeat of the gringos +Americanos--the Bostons." Bowing obsequiously, he glided over to his +place on the threshold. + +"Señora Valentino and friends are now at the castle, you say?" + +"Si, señor." + +Farquharson galloped back to the city plaza. He paused for a moment. +The horse was restless in the chilly air. Its shod hoofs, clattering +on the pavement, struck showers of sparks. He rode on a few steps, and +stopped again, listening intently. + +"'Tis only the boom of the surf," and started out briskly for the +castle. On arriving he saw light coming through the windows, and heard +the voices and laughter of men and women. Two or three peons bearing +baskets appeared at the postern. + +"I wish to speak with Señora Valentino. Tell her Captain Farquharson +is here." + +The señora soon was at the door. + +"I'm here, Captain." + +"Barcelo's in the sulks." + +"As I expected." + +"As to his giving the right hand of fellowship to Fairbanks, that is +not to be thought of." + +"Again, as I expected." + +"When I saw him he was as savage as a caged bear." + +The señora nodded her head meditatively. + +"It's well the cannon are spiked." + +"They have been unspiked. Some one has drilled out the priming tubes." + +"You don't mean it, señora!" + +"Exactly." + +"My hat! It's enough to drive one mad." + +"Last night, about midnight, I heard Fairbanks off Point Pinos +signaling the other vessels in his fleet; so he's near at hand, and +I've got together a little company to welcome him." + +"To think that this of all days should see such blooming fog. If +'twould only clear up so the Admiral could get in, it would end all +this fuss. But, something must be done about Barcelo. Some of these +men hereabouts are talking more and more in favor of a California +republic. Their nonsense has evidently got into the Colonel's system." + +"And disappointed ambition might have another chance if such a republic +came into being. My brother-in-law has a good deal of the bulldog in +him." + +"I am willing to believe almost anything of him now. But we've got to +get to work; otherwise he'll be down here, likely as not, blowing off +his fireworks again." + +"Have you a suggestion, Captain?" + +"No. I've thought till I can't think any longer. In the first place, +I can't do anything with him; and it's too far for you to go out there. +In the second place----" + +"It will be best for me to be here when Fairbanks comes. When he once +gets in we must take him by the hand and keep him here." + +"We are in a deuce of a fix, between the devil and the deep sea, so to +speak. On one hand, Barcelo, sulky and savage, and threatening to blow +the British fleet off the map. On the other hand, Fairbanks so +scrupulous he's ready to throw the gifts of the gods back into their +arms, at the slightest excuse. When I left you yesterday at +Miramonte's I hurried south to run down rumors. I've caught up with +the rumors but haven't accomplished anything else. I have men watching +Barcelo's movements. What else to do I don't know." + +"Well, Captain, let's do nothing for the present--since there's nothing +to be done." + +"If this accursed fog would only lift." + +"Our standing here won't lift it. Come in and breakfast with us." + +"Thank you, but I want to go back to the hills to see if the sentinels +have possibly caught sight of the fleet through some rift in the +fog-banks." + +"The fleet is off the harbor all right, my friend. What matter whether +you see it or not? You will do better for having had refreshment." + +"Not now. Perhaps I'll return later. I haven't yet inquired how you +are. How is it with you?" + +"I am all right, thank you. I could ride to Alisal." + +"But you cannot be spared from here when the fog lifts. Talk about a +California republic! Señora, you should be ruler of the Californias, +including Texas and Oregon." + +"Captain! Captain!" her merry laugh sounding within the old castle. +"Again, my friend, breakfast. Hot coffee will go well, I am sure." + +"You are very good, but I will decline for the present. Good-bye for a +while. If anything comes up, I'll let you know. By the way, why not +make Barcelo governor and general? Morando says he won't have the +office, anyway, and it might save no end of confusion." + +"Don't think it. It would only add fuel to the flame. Crisostimo's +pride would be seriously touched at being made second choice. Besides, +he isn't the man for the place, and the home office would justly blame +us. He has been a brave and efficient fighting soldier, but never +could be executive or diplomatic." + +Rider and horse were soon lost to sight. + +The señora returned to her friends. + +Breakfast was served immediately. A table had been made ready in the +old armory. Vacant musket racks and empty ammunition boxes were +strange adornment for a breakfast, the room itself cobwebbed and dusty. +Sperm-oil lanterns furnished needed light. + +Peons served coffee and tortillas, accompanied by sea-trout browned to +a turn over charcoal. This was followed with a delicious dish made of +chicken and green corn boiled together, and the inevitable frijoles. +Strawberries, large and luscious, which had been soaked in Mission +wine, were plentifully distributed at each plate, of which the +breakfasters partook at intervals throughout the meal, eating the fruit +from the stem. Fresh figs stewed in sherry completed the repast. + +There was little conversation in this company made up of individuals +usually vivacious and talkative. The tenseness of eager expectation +held everyone quiet. + +The meal was not much more than finished when Captain Farquharson +entered the room unannounced. The men and women sprang up. + +"Señora Valentino," the Captain called. + +She stepped to his side. + +"My scouts have rushed word to me that Barcelo has left Alisal and is +stampeding to Monterey." + +"What is that you say, Captain?" from the señora, incredulously. + +"Barcelo is but a few miles from the outskirts of town, saying he is +going to proclaim himself dictator of a California republic, and +calling down vengeance on anyone opposing. The fat's in the fire if +Fairbanks gets wind of this." + +"I must ride at once and meet the Colonel." + +"Would that I could meet him with my old company in the Coldstream +Guards! Bull-dog or no, he'd not forget the hour. I'll go along with +you, señora, but it's precious little that anyone can do with such a +man." + +After requesting those present to await her return, the señora mounted +her horse and rode rapidly toward El Camino Real, Farquharson riding +with her as far as the city limits, when she said to him: + +"I will go on now by myself, Captain." + +"As you wish. I'll stay here, then, till you come back." + +Time dragged. + +Captain Farquharson dismounted and nervously led his animal back and +forth. + +An hour passed, and yet another. Still the Captain was at his post. +For the hundredth time he fiercely drew his watch from his pocket, +scowled at its face and as fiercely thrust it back. + +In sudden desperation the man sprang to horse. With two fingers on his +lips he began a whistle-call, but stopped abruptly. The señora had +emerged from the fog. + +"Señora Valentino, long ago I sent men to see if you were safe. They +reported that you and Barcelo were riding up and down an outer street +talking, talking, talking. You have been in conference with him over +two hours. Of course nothing could be done with him." + +"Colonel Barcelo has gone home, after sending his men to the barracks. +When Fairbanks comes the Colonel will turn the government over to him +formally, and give him the right hand of fellowship." + +"How did you manage?" he asked. + +"By making appeal both to his less worthy nature and to his higher." + +"How do you mean?" + +"First, by arousing jealousy, convincing him that a California republic +would surely make Mendoza its president. Second, in appealing to his +nobler side. I said to him that a California republic would mean +internecine strife--Monterey, the brain and heart of the province, +fighting the north and the south, its hands and feet. So between the +two arguments the cause was won." + +"You actually induced him to go home?" + +"He has gone," smiling. "Sister Clarinda aided me, a wife's influence, +you know." + +Farquharson wrinkled his forehead knowingly. + +Together they returned to the castle. The little knot of people +anxiously gathered around them. To their excited questionings the +señora replied: "All's well that ends well." + +"Your meaning, señora?" asked one. + +"That we've nothing to do now--but disperse the fog." + +Señora Valentino went to an upper corner of the castle, and into a room +now seldom used. It had once been a sentinel chamber, and surveyed +harbor and sea. More than once had she come to this place, time +permitting, to revel in its loneliness. + +To-day the fog drew dark shades over the windows, enveloping the room +in twilight. A slow wind was blowing, enough to move the casements. +This augured well. Afternoon would, more than likely, see clear +skyline. + +The woman's mood was to be alone. Closing the old door on its rusty +hinges she turned the grating lock, and looked around with a sigh of +satisfaction. + +The former governor had been an intimate of this room. Here he would +steal away to read and dream. The furnishings were his, and he had not +seen fit to disturb them when leaving for Mexico. On shelves were +books of poems and romances. On the floor lay rugs of tasteful pattern +and coloring. A few very good pictures were on the wall, while an easy +chair or two stood invitingly. On one side jutted a stone fireplace, a +pile of ashes on the hearth telling its own story. All these things +were strangely out of keeping with the rest of the castle. + +In a cupboard the señora found wood and paper in abundance, placed +there by the former governor, mindful of his comfort. + +"I'm cold," she shivered. "I'll call Lupincha and have a fire. No, +I'll build it myself." + +The dry fuel and the paper, ignited by a flint spark, soon made flames +that roared into the chimney. + +"Now it is cheery and warm. I'll look over one of Governor Moncada's +romances till the fleet enters. Well, here's Don Quixote. He won't +do--I've fought windmills myself--it's monotonous. And here, El Cid. +Not to-day--more heroics. I want a book written about life as it is, +not as it ought to be." + +She took up a manuscript, "Ode to Falling Rain," by the Governor +himself. + +"Señor Moncada, why was it not an 'Ode to a Lifting Fog'? Because it +is not, into the fire you go, you wrinkled bit of paper. Ah! it burns +well despite the title. My brother-in-law once spoke of the governor +as a fussy old curmudgeon. It would be interesting to know what the +Señora Moncada thinks of the Señor Barcelo." + +A knock interrupted her musing. She kept perfectly quiet. Again, the +knock, a little louder, a little more insistent. She snuggled closer +into the chair. Suddenly the thought came to her that it might be +Farquharson with some message of importance. She quickly unlocked the +door. + +"Señora Valentino, may I come in? The peona Lupincha told me I would +find you here." + +"Certainly, Captain Morando, come in. My friends in the castle are +variously occupying themselves till the great moment strikes. I," +looking around, "chose to come off here by myself," her manner +charmingly cordial. + +The señora was again in her chair. The comandante sat opposite. There +was silence, each seeming to find nothing to say to the other. + +Under the firelight the doña appeared more beautiful than ever, her +form unusually petite and girlish. To the soldier she had been a piece +of exquisite workmanship, cameo-cut, a rare jewel to be admired. +To-day she was this, plus woman's sweetness and gentleness. His heart +gave an appreciative throb. + +"Silvia," abruptly, "will you be my wife?" + +She flashed her eyes at him. "Captain, it is curious, isn't it? about +most people. They roll along in their groove, at about the same speed, +and reach a certain point at a certain time, regularly enough. Have +you ever thought of it?" + +"Well, no--or, perhaps, yes." + +"In the old stories the chapters end with the proposal, the puppets are +disposed of, the book closed. You have, then, reached this point?" + +"But, Silvia, you and I have been so frank that nothing preliminary +seemed left for me to say--if that is what you mean--so I asked the +question as I did. I vow to you by my manhood----" + +She stood before him. + +"Captain Morando, it was love for an ideal man that really brought me +to California." + +"Señora, I did not know----" also rising. + +"No. You did not know," her lips hardening ever so little. "Yes, an +ideal. Him I love with my heart, my soul; every energy I have. Gladly +would I live for him. Equally gladly would I die for him." + +"Then, señora, there is no room in your life for me? Another fills it? +Why, I thought--I believed----" + +"You thought! you believed! O, Alfredo!" + +"You have never cared for me. You never can care. You----" + +"Do not trouble either of us with further questioning. I answer, No, I +do not care for you--have never cared for you." + +"Señora, even but now I dared think----" + +"Dare think nothing!" + +"Then, Doña Silvia, I erred, that is all. My intentions were worthy. +You never intimated to me anything of this--this affection. I step out +of the way of this other whom you so fully love. May you be happy, and +may he endow your life with all joy. I leave you now." + +"No, Alfredo, not yet," her voice shaking a little. "Do you not know +who it is that has impersonated my ideal?" + +"No, I do not know." + +"And can you not even conjecture?" a little wistfully. + +"How could I?" + +"You are right. How could you?" with an enigmatic smile. + +She looked at him with a penetratingly appraising gaze. + +"I will enlighten you. It is you--you--Señor Captain Morando--you!" + +"I?" + +"Yes. I tried to cheat myself. I lied to myself about you. I kept +you on a pedestal for my worshiping. You, Captain Morando, are nothing +to me, but the man, the ideal man, whom I hoped was inclosed in that +goodly form of yours, he it is whom I love." Her tones were low and +even. + +"Señora, it is to me a regret that your ideal has been so misplaced." + +"It is but one more link in that chain of disillusionment--my life. I +suppose I should not complain. What does it matter?" Her words +betokened a resignation which her glowing eyes did not verify. + +The Captain moved his chair closer to her and took her hand. + +"Señora, though disillusionment has passed me by, disappointment has +not. Let us make common cause, and fight the battle of life together. +Wounds quiver and smart in the past of both of us. Why not let the +future in years of devotion each to the other, bring consoling balm to +these wounds?" + +Her hand remained in his, but she did not speak. + +"Señora--Silvia--let us go away from here, and, in the quiet of home +life, let time do its work in scattering into forgetfulness the ashes +of old heartburnings." + +"And what of my lost ideal, Alfredo?" + +"Señora doña, theory is one thing, fact another; and life is fact. Why +not accept things as they are?" + +"Many would say you speak well. And yet--rather than sacrifice my +ideal would I choose to sleep forever at the bottom of the sea." + +"Señora, do you believe that ideals are ever realized in this world?" + +"Perhaps not. But, to come from abstract thought to concrete +application. When the señorita of the window pane looked down on the +parade ground facing old Pilar Convent the place widened into fields of +conquest. The flashing sword in the hand of her cadet-officer became a +marshal's baton, the sword-belt, a viceroy's sash. Her eaglet would +fly straight-winged into the face of the sun. Though storms above the +clouds might whirl him like a dried and broken branch, and hurl him +back to earth, yet ever upward would be his purpose. Don Alfredo, have +you ever tried your wings? Don't speak, soldier. I will answer for +you. Like the pet chick, pinions folded, have you been content with +hopping fences--the eaglet-cadet a village comandante." + +"I am fulfilling my duty to the best of my ability." + +She drew her hand away, and looked him squarely in the face. + +"Fulfilling duty! Alfredo, you exhaust my patience. I have power; I +have influence, I have standing at the court of Saint James. Under +Lord Aberdeen's written promise to me, would he make high place for you +in Europe, or in vast India. You yawned. My offer was unconsidered. + +"A strange contempt for opportunity seems ever to have been your +make-up. As in manhood, so in your youth. Alfredo, during those three +years at Pilar you blew a kiss to me from the parade ground; or, was it +twice? or, perhaps thrice? or, even more. A valiant +conquistador-in-the-making, disregarding barrier, would have reached +the topmost span of that forbidding cloister, to salute the lips of the +watching maiden at closer range than fifty paces. + +"But to return to later times. If Britain possesses California, a +viceroyship must go to some one. You shrugged when I spoke of tossing +it to you; yet, it is a catch for which many an ambitious caballero +would stretch ready hands." + +"I am not ambition's fool, neither am I without ambition. If I rise, +my own feet shall lift me, step by step," in his voice a ring of +challenge. + +"In other words, you prefer to protect the flocks of rich herdsmen +against marauding aborigine--if not in California, elsewhere. No?" + +"Silvia, let us cease this exchange of words. We have much in common. +Come with me. Be my household queen. In coming here to-day not the +least in my thought was the wish to take you away from the politics of +the world. Come, Silvia, come." + +"And, over there--in the distance--beyond the shadows--would be my +ideal calling to me, chiding me, telling me of my unfaithfulness. No, +Alfredo, I lie to myself no longer. + +"The other morning, as I left your official sitting room in San José, +the King's Highway to Monterey became another road to Damascus. The +scales fell from my eyes, as they did from Saul of Tarsus. I cursed +myself for the lie to which I had sworn in the sanctuary of my +soul--the lie making you, Alfredo Morando, the personification of my +ideal. + +"I lashed my horse. I wished--I even prayed--that the beast might +spring to the rocky depths of the cañon at my side, that I might find +release in the parting of my body and its soul." + +"Señora Valentino, the artist sometimes so arranges the lights and +shades on his sitter that he brings in relief certain lineaments to the +obscuring of others, producing, often, a fancy picture rather than a +portrait. Your delineation of my character, emphasizing certain +points, neglecting others, seems to be hardly fair. But, doña, I scorn +the pleader's place. I admit my unworthiness. Your word, then--is +final?" arising and taking up his cap, dignity vesting speech and +manner. + +"Yes, Alfredo, final--final. Go, continue to be a comandante-protector +of sheep. Gallop across the plains to Mission San José. Improvise +dawdling love-songs, twangle the guitar, and strut about by the light +of the moon. The Señorita de la Mendoza may again dance El Son, to +bring you to her side. No longer will I keep you from her, with the +vain hope that, in the capitals of the nations, you and I, uniting our +mentalities and working hand in hand, might have no small part in the +history-making of our generation. Good-by, Alfredo." She extended her +hand. + +"Good-by, Silvia." + +He opened the door and hesitated at the threshold. + +"Señora, once more, is it final?" + +The color faded from her face. Her features set in emotionless +expression. + +"Yes, Alfredo--yes." + + * * * * * + +Over the sea strong wind flowed. Bank after bank of fog, rocked under +powerful propulsion, was lifted into the air, and disappeared. +Finally, from Point Pinos to Santa Cruz the waters laughed and sparkled +in the late-coming sun. Eleven men-of-war were disclosed in the outer +harbor, their wilderness of spars clustering beneath the Union Jack. + +Within the inner harbor two smaller vessels were at anchor, the springs +in their cables allowing them to swing end to end in the shifting +tides. On their decks grim-visaged men stood at the guns. Their masts +were tipped with the Stars and Stripes. + +The frigate United States and the sloop-of-war Cyane had warped off the +bar of Half Moon Bay. Under cover of night, and undeterred by danger, +they had slipped past the English fleet which was nodding lazily in the +smooth sea, awaiting the coming of dawn and the clearing of the fog. +Into the harbor, up to the very eyes of the castle, they came. + +With the sun's unveiling American marines rushed into boats, hurried +ashore and took possession of the city. The Red, White and Blue +snapped saucily over plaza and fort. + +Signals fluttered on Admiral Fairbanks's flagship, whipping the air in +persistent command. In reluctant obedience the warships, for the +second time, wheeled slowly back to the ocean, the Vanguard in the +rear, like a stern parent driving his half-rebellious brood before him. + +In the upper room of the castle Silvia Valentino was cognizant of none +of these things. In the moment of Captain Morando's departure she had +thrown herself, face downward, on the floor, and lay weeping out her +heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A DAUGHTER OF THE DE LA MENDOZA + +"Pepita, Pepita, be thou watchful of those threads. Red follows yellow +in the pattern, else your weaving is hit-or-miss. Santa Maria! What +careless fingers! See, the blanket is streaked in color, like a pinto +horse. Thy knuckles, careless one, should be made to ache, by rapping +them smartly." + +"Thou wilt rap no knuckles of mine, Marta. Padre Osuna forbids the +matrona to strike any neophyte girl, as thou well knowest. It's hard +enough to sit at a loom day after day and weave blankets, when one +isn't mending them, or making baskets, or grinding maize, without being +beaten, if the fingers play tricks when the thought happens elsewhere." + +Marta was a matrona of the department of neophytes in the single +women's quarter of the Mission San José. Her specialty was weaving +blankets. The Mission sheep provided wool in plenty, and hand-made +looms prepared it for use, after it had been dyed the many colors dear +to the Indian taste. + +"Fingers play tricks when the mind is elsewhere! Well-a-day! Why has +one a mind but to direct the fingers and the feet? If Pedro Carrasca's +mind ever rests on thee, when it should be on cattle-driving, behold! +his pony will throw him over its head into the dry oats." + +A general laugh followed from the Indian women and girls. + +It was the Mission's busy season. The harvest had been abundant. +Though late in coming the rains had been plentiful, and at proper +intervals, so that the yield in wheat, barley, oats, and corn was +scarcely below a good average. Padre Osuna had sent a vessel laden +with cereals to Lower California, where bread grains were scanty and +good-priced. A schooner chartered at Yerba Buena had many thousand +bushels of seed-wheat on board, ready to sail to the settlements in +Oregon, when a reliable supercargo was found who knew enough English to +deal with the Americanos in the North. + +The great matanza of the year had just been held. A half dozen trading +ships were in San Francisco Bay, buying the Mission hides and tallow. +Sovereignties might change, flags come and go, but trade went on +forever. + +The Mission's needs for the year were supplied from the "Boston" ships, +in return for the commodities of the Mission. In New England a demand +had sprung up for the varicolored blankets made from California wool by +the Indians. Nowhere were blankets more skillfully or more durably +made than at Mission San José. Accordingly, a large order had come +from an Eastern supply house; and the Mission Indian women and girls +worked longer hours than usual at the wooden frames. These had been +set up out of doors near the lodgment of the unmarried women. + +Pepita's eyes sparkled as the others laughed. + +"Pedro Carrasca is no concern of mine." + +"Well, maybe not," returned Marta, her black eyes twinkling in her lean +face. "When the padre inspects the blanket under your hand, if he sees +poor work he will scarcely sanction your betrothal to Pedro, one of the +best lads in the valley, as well as a vaquero of vaqueros; and Pepita," +patronizingly, "you can do good work when you try." + +"There are other vaqueros besides Pedro Carrasca." + +"Right you are, Pepita. Felix Ubaldo is a better rider than Pedro. +Pedro's shoulders are not always straight in the saddle," said Florida +Pardo. + +"No such thing," defended Pepita. "When the broncho bucks, Felix goes +up and down like the jumping-jacks the little boys get for Christmas." + +"Come, come, children, work, work. Talk less," from the matrona. + +Pepita stamped her foot. "Work, work all the time. Why was I not born +a señorita, with people to serve me, instead of having to work every +day like an ox drawing a carreta full of stones?" + +"Saints in heaven!" from Marta. "A crow isn't born a songster, because +crows have a use as well as singing birds. Pepita, thou art a +blackamoor; still, thou may become a peona of the Señorita Mendoza. +Modesta, her serving maid, marries soon Tomaso, peon captain." + +"O, Marta, is the Señorita Carmelita thinking of making me one of her +peonas? How I would like that! Will you not ask the padre to +recommend me to the Señor Mendoza for his household?" The girl got up +and put her arm wheedlingly about the woman. + +"I'll tell thee, Pepita, Modesta's my niece, and I know of what I speak +when I give you word of happenings at the great hacienda house." + +The matrona folded her arms. The clicking of the looms was stilled. +Indian maid and wife were as ready to hear the gossip as was Marta to +tell it. + +"Last Saint John's day the quality of Santa Clara valley attended high +mass here. As you remember, Lady Carmelita played the organ. Padre +Osuna alone excels her. The Indian choir sang, and--Pepita, thou sang +well enough. I will say, Señorita Mendoza was much taken with thy solo +part. But do not overpride thyself. Thy voice, like thy good looks, +is but a gift to thee, not of thine own making." + +"Tell us the story," the girl urged. + +"Well, many white people had midday meal at Señor Mendoza's. Padre +Osuna did not go, though he was invited. You see, our padre and the +señor speak when they meet, and seem friendly, but----" + +"O, Marta, I don't want to hear about that. Tell what was said about +me at the meal." + +"Don't want to hear--don't want to hear," repeated the matrona. "Well, +I shall say nothing at all, if I'm not to speak my own way." + +"Go on, Marta," cried several, nearly as eager as Pepita. + +The matrona enjoyed their impatience for a while, affecting to be very +busy over her loom. At last-- + +"At that midday meal Señorita Carmelita said she had heard you, Pepita, +sing, and liked your voice as well as Modesta's; that she would soon +need a new lady's maid and liked your appearance. Then, Señorita +Galindo said she once had you for lady's maid, but sent you back to the +neophyte house, because you listened at keyholes and talked too much." + +"I did not. I did not," asserted Pepita. + +"What did you do, then?" queried Marta. + +"I didn't do anything." + +"But thy tongue, vixen, is often loose, as if hung in the middle, to +wag at both ends. Come now, what didst thou say when thou talkedst too +much?" + +"I knew Señorita Galindo was in love with Don Abelardo Peralta, and +that he was not with her. When she pinched my arm for pulling her hair +as I combed it, I told her that Señor Peralta was in love with a lady +in Monterey, Señora Valentino." + +"What did the Señorita Galindo say to that?" + +"She pinched my arm more, and boxed my ears till I cried; then sent me +to Padre Osuna all covered with lies." Pepita spat at the remembrance. + +The women turned to their looms again. Marta walked around examining +their work, admonishing, encouraging or assisting. + +"Draw the threads tighter, Joséfa. Pull them equally, not one looser +than the others. Calvia, use sense; your weave is uneven." + +Passing her own loom she said: "This is a design after which many +blankets were made for Constancia Alvarado, she who married Señor +Mendoza. The señor's hair, then, was as black as any of yours. Don +Marcel Hernandez has ordered six of each of these patterns. I +shouldn't wonder if it means his daughter is going to marry. My man +went to Spain once with Señor Hernandez, to bring back horses. + +"Tula, hasten, thy loom moves slowly, as if tired. Wait till noon +before resting. Very good, Encarnacion; the best you've done. And +thou, too, Jesusa." + +As the matrona came to Pepita's side she said in low voice: "Girl, +worry thou not. Soon another takes thy loom and thou goest to service +with the Lady Carmelita, without doubt. The padre will make recommend +of thee; but remember his words in last Sunday's sermon: 'Have a care +as to what thou seest, what thou hearest, and what thou sayest.'" + +"I am not the only one that talks too much." + +Marta recalled something to be done inside the house and went away, +telling the weavers to be industrious during her absence. + +When she was out of sight Encarnacion strolled over to the end loom. +"Marta has pride that Padre Majin de Catala, of Mission Santa Clara, +baptized her mother. Padre Junipero Serra himself baptized my +grandfather, in San Diego Mission. Padre Junipero always said that +Indians who work hard and pray the Virgin every day would be high in +heaven when they died. I never heard he said that of lady's maids," +looking at Pepita. + +Pepita was happy in anticipation, and so made no reply. + +"Last year, when I was at Yerba Buena, in the family of Señor +Arguello," said Jesusa, whose loom had become silent the moment of +Marta's departure, "a very old man at Mission Dolores said the sea did +not always run in and out there, past Yerba Buena, but mountains once +were where ships sail now. I asked him if white men had dug the way +for the ocean, and he said white men never work." Jesusa was proud of +her temporary residence in Yerba Buena, and brought it forward at every +opportunity. + +"Will the white men, then, who are not padres, go to heaven?" inquired +Tula, who had abandoned her work. + +The theology of none of them was equal to a reply for this question. + +"Where do you suppose all the peon soldiers have gone? I saw many, +many marching away this morning, Señor Mendoza leading them. San José +de Guadalupe! but they looked handsome!" said Elasia, a girl who had +seated herself on the ground, her hands lying idly in her lap. + +"Oho! the peon Ildefranco alone didst thou see. We know," said some +one. + +"Yes, yes," joined in others. + +"You have no need to talk. You were all watching them, and with your +mouths wide open. I saw you," retorted Elasia. + +Everyone began to laugh. + +"Comes Marta! Comes Marta!" cried Encarnacion from her point of +vantage. + +There was a general scurrying to place. When the matrona came out the +silence was too intense to be sincere. She went from loom to loom. + +"Your work is short by many inches of what it should be. If your chili +con carne and meal were to be as short to-day you would go hungry, and +deserve it too. I have a mind to tell the padre how shiftless you all +are, and that unless I stand over you, not one of you will work." + +"She's willing enough for us to stop work if she has some tale to tell +us about what Modesto heard; but if we stop a minute to breathe, at any +other time, it's different," whispered one to her nearest companion, +when Marta's face was in another direction. + +The noon Angelus commenced ringing. + +The looms were at once deserted. + +In the neophyte house lived over two hundred Indian girls who were +taught to read Spanish, together with such housecraft as a peona should +know, while the music of the church occupied no small part in the daily +curriculum. In addition, the neophytes were instructed in weaving, in +embroidery, drawn work, lace-making; and from among them came the +seamstresses who made elaborate gowns for the ladies of the Spanish +gentry. + +Talking was not allowed during meals. A book, generally the life of +some saint, was read aloud by a matrona, or by some girl who was +capable. To-day the book had been finished early. There was not time +to begin another, so the rule of silence was dispensed with during the +remainder of dinner. The girls proceeded to enjoy the unwonted +privilege, their zest for eating, however, in no wise diminished. + +Suddenly, pandemonium burst over the place. Indian warwhoops were +mingled with the crash of musket-firing. Yelling and shouting were +punctuated with pistol shots. The tawny mastiffs, night guardians of +the patio, now confined in a rear yard, howled a vicious protest +against this noonday interruption of their sleep. + +Indian horsemen hurled themselves down the hills. Indian forms arose +from the ground where they had hidden in shelter of vineyard and olive +grove, and avalanched on the Mission. + +Mounted renegades whirled around the buildings, cutting off avenues of +escape for those within. Men on foot forced the porter's lodge in +front, while others rushed through the artisans' shops in the rear. + +Padre Osuna, Juan Antonio, major-domo, and nearly every able-bodied +peon of the Mission were busy with the trading ships lying at the +Embarcadero two leagues away, on the south arm of San Francisco Bay. +The institution was defenseless before the invaders, who were under the +capable command of a stocky, strongly built aborigine who sat on his +horse in the road which ran alongside of the house of the girl +neophytes. + +"Bring up the led horses," the chief had ordered when the uproar was +greatest. + +The screaming of frightened women broke out in shrill notes, +accompanied by the furious baying of the mastiffs straining at their +chains. + +A shot or two sounded in the patio. + +"Some of the women have got behind the gratings and are shooting at +their wooers," half laughed, half grunted the leader. + +"Stanislaus," asked a man near him, "can our fellows get into this +place where the girls are? At Monterey they are behind doors you +couldn't smash with an ax in half a day." + +"Cayetano," was the reply, "I was major-domo here for years. The task +set for those of us sent inside is easy. The peonas are spunky," he +continued, "but they'll be the better wives in the wild hills we go to. +If the enemy comes, our tepees will not be undefended in our absence." + +Indians carrying struggling neophyte peonas filled the porch of the +house. They sprang to the ground below and upon the backs of the +waiting mounts. Soon two hundred horses were bearing double burdens. + +"Any more to come?" called Stanislaus. + +"No," from a lieutenant who had been in charge of the inside squad. + +"Our way of finding wives may not please the padre, but it's the only +resource left us," said the chief. + +"It's a quicker method than the padre's," returned the lieutenant, "and +we're sure of our own pick." + +"Now to the hills!" commanded the leader, adding: "When Padre Osuna +trails us home he can perform a hundred double weddings at once." + +The raiders spurred away eastward. Some of the girls, inert from fear, +made no movement in their captors' arms, others continued screaming and +struggling. Shortly their cries died away in the distance, and the +desolated Mission was left to the wailing matronas and the old peons +whose resistance had been too feeble to attract notice from the +marauders. + +As unexpectedly as had the tumult begun across the way, a clanging +sounded from the topmost tower of Mendoza's hacienda house. It was an +iron bar striking with lightning rapidity the rim of a bell suspended +in the tower. Three strokes a second it supplied, under nicely +arranged mechanism of block and pulley. + +The clamor aroused every peon on the Mendoza grant, for that call meant +each task must be left without delay, and all speed made to the +hacienda house, as if in matter of death and life. + +Peons rushed from the Arroyo Seco, leagues to the north, leaving their +herds without caretakers. Plowmen in the soft vegetable fields at the +mouth of the Arroyo Alameda flung the traces upon the horses' backs, +and galloped the heavy work animals toward Mission San José. + +Sturgeon-catchers in the far-away Alviso marshes withheld the spear as +their boat floated above the rotund quarry. "Ding, dong, ding," the +hills were faintly echoing. The fishermen knew their duty, and +straightway discarding implement and fish, they pushed their mustangs +helter-skelter through slough and marsh to their master's home ten +miles distant. + +Carmelita Mendoza stood in her father's bell tower, her hand firmly +pressing a lever. This lever controlled the heavy tongue striking the +call to rescue. The girl had witnessed from her window the attack on +the Mission; had seen the renegades ride away with the stolen neophyte +girls. + +Stanislaus had considered the time well, knowing that Mendoza and his +men were absent, as also Padre Osuna. After the fall of Yoscolo and +the severe defeat of his men, the rancheros had thought the wild +Indians too thoroughly cowed to attempt further depredations; thus all +had relaxed vigilance, especially in the daytime. + +The chief felt so secure that he sat on his horse openly in the street +during the raid. The doña could hear him jesting about the Indian +girls, and caught the words of his lieutenant. She was an excellent +marksman. Her rifle, a recent importation from London, was in a rack +near at hand. She sighted the weapon at the chief, saw his face +aligned with the barrel, and knew that a pressure on the trigger would +send a bullet through his body. Her hand refused to perform the +office. She dropped the rifle to the hollow of her arm. Faint for the +moment, she leaned against the window casing. + +The outlaws streaming over the porch of the neophyte house to the +ground, together with the cries of the peonas, aroused her. Again she +trained the rifle on Stanislaus. Though not more than a hundred feet +away he was too intent on the work at hand to scent possibility of +peril. Carmelita's fingers drew on the trigger. The slightest +pressure further and the chieftain would fall to an unhallowed death +before the gate of the Mission which once had honored him. + +She threw the gun from her in horror. Stanislaus himself did not +hesitate at the shedding of blood; and was even now ready to inflict +death if necessary to the success of his plans, yet she could not bring +herself to be his executioner. + +The girl flew to the bell-tower. As the summons rang she saw the +retreating miscreants stretching over the brow of the hill directly +back of Mission San José. The men with the girls were ahead in compact +body, the other Indians spread out to check pursuit if any should be +attempted. + +In the Mendoza house the disorder was second only to that prevailing at +the Mission. Women were crying, praying, and calling aloud for the +Señor Mendoza, while the few men servants on the grounds ran hither and +thither, catching up weapons, throwing them down, only to pick them up +again and continue in their purposeless meanderings. + +The peons of the rancho began arriving. By twos, threes, tens and +scores they came. Bows, scythes and clubs were the arms of war they +brought. Their excited wives and children, straggling in after them, +increased the tumult. + +The watch dogs of the Mission barked with renewed vigor. The Mission +Indians, thinking the hacienda house was being plundered also, wailed +yet louder in their fright. Some of the peonas swayed hysterically +into the street and up to the front of the hacienda gate, followed by +the elderly peons who swung in circles chanting wordless rhythms. +Frightened horses tore unnoticed through the yard, snorting in terror. + +At last the bell was silent. + +Carmelita came to the courtyard gate. The uncanny movements of the +frantic men and women were dizzying, but she steadied herself. + +"Hear me," she called. "Listen!" + +She waited a moment, then began: "Amigos, Stanislaus and his men have +come in from their fastnesses, and have taken away from the Mission +many girls. These girls are daughters of our friends, and we desire to +see them married to men of this valley, the honest men who tend herds +and till the soil, and who will provide food in plenty for their +families. The chief will take the peonas off to the mountains of San +Jacinto or San Bernardino, as I overheard. Friends mine, men of this, +our beloved valley, you must skim over the mountains like hawks, +overtake these ravishers, and bring back the girls to their peaceful +home in the neophyte house, that our valley and Mission sleep Hot +desolate to-night." + +There was no response. The strong hearts had followed Mendoza away at +sunrise. There remained but the hewers of wood and the drawers of +water. + +Finally one said: "These stolen muchachas are no relatives of ours. +Forgive me, Lady Carmelita, if I say, it is the business of their +fathers and brothers to undertake rescue." + +The farm hand who thus spoke knew of Stanislaus as a human bloodhound, +as well as a tried and dauntless warrior. He would as lief interfere +with the lion and his bride as attempt to balk the chief. + +"Will you see your peon brethren of the Mission sleep in tears this +night? Do not the padres teach us that the sorrow of one must be the +grief of all?" + +No one answered. Motionless as well as voiceless were the men and +women. + +"An hour's delay, and the renegades may be beyond reach," she went on. + +Still no response. + +A cry sounded from the Mission patio, quivering with anguish. It came +from some man's throat. + +"Amigos," again from the girl, "listen to what you hear. Some father +is stricken down in body by the renegades, but his soul is calling +aloud in bitterness for his child. Who will rush after the renegades +and hang to their flank, as the wolf stays the flight of the elk? Who +will go, I ask?" + +The Indians shifted from foot to foot. Some of the peonas looked +inquiringly at their husbands. No one spoke. + +"_I_ will go," suddenly from Carmelita, her form straightening, her +face paling. "Who will go with me?" she challenged. "I am only a +woman, yet will I handle a rifle in such a cause as this. Who will go +with me?" + +A grizzled Indian stepped haltingly up to the girl. "I am only old +Enrico," he said. "I used to be one of the fighting men of the señor, +your father, but a bullet from Yoscolo's band smashed my hip years ago +and left me fit only to hoe potatoes. Señorita doña, I will go with +you and harry Stanislaus with what strength I have. I can never die in +a better cause." + +The señorita waited. There were no other volunteers. + +Enrico, turning, faced his fellows. "I'll not say, men," he exclaimed, +"but whatever ye be, go to service in the house, and let the maids +there ride with the señorita doña and me to the chastising of +Stanislaus. Go, for we are wasting time while the hostiles' pace marks +leagues the hour. Go! Cook the feed, wash the dishes, make the beds, +while the peonas do the fighting. Ye cowards! Go into the house where +ye belong." + +Enrico's sarcasm brought no result. He turned back to Carmelita. + +The girl looked past the old peon's upturned face, over the heads of +the unresponsive Indians, out into the distance, her eyes resting on +the eastern hills. + +"I hear no other offer. So be it. A woman and a crippled old man ride +forth alone. It shall not be said that the deed of to-day passes +unopposed." Her face hardened, bright spots showing in either cheek. +Her mouth set in lines which bespoke the fixity of her purpose. + +Enrico raised his hands with affection and reverence. "Señorita doña, +these arms carried thee before thy tongue could lisp a word. I will go +without thee. Thou must not----" + +"Hush! hush! old friend. Zunello," to a stable boy, "two horses ready +for the mounting, and two rifles. Be quick! Bring them here." + +As said, so done. + +"Come Enrico, I'll lend thee a shoulder to help thee to the saddleseat." + +In a moment she too was on her horse. She checked its head high and +reined it mountainward. + +"Wait, señorita, wait! Here, doña, here! I will go. And I! So will +I! So will I! I! I! I!" swelled in hoarse tones from the multitude. + +"Take them at their word at once," whispered Enrico. + +She needed no second prompting. Couriers were sent posthaste to San +José pueblo, Yerba Buena and Monterey, with messages acquainting the +different comandantes of the raid. + +The Mendoza armory was opened and muskets, powder and ball apportioned +to the volunteers. + +While horses were being brought the señorita, with her corps of peona +nurses, hastened to the Mission grounds. They found several peons who +had been severely manhandled lying insensible in the patio, or trying +to crawl to their quarters. A half dozen or more matronas had been +beaten with clubs while offering resistance to the summary taking-away +of their charges. + +The injured were given first-aid treatment, and the terrified matronas +encouraged to regain self-possession. + +Carmelita soon left the Mission, to lead a half-unwilling band of armed +mounted men up the steep grades to the east, to follow on the heels of +Stanislaus, to wrest from him, if they could, the prizes his daring had +gained for himself and his renegade followers. + +The broad trail of the robbers led up the mountain, skirted the Great +Slide and into the pass toward the valley of Calaveras where the +merienda had been in late spring. Stanislaus, little apprehensive of +immediate pursuit, had allowed his fighting men to crowd into the +defile and mix with those carrying the neophyte girls, leaving the rear +of his march unguarded. Discipline thus relaxed the riflemen passed +the time bandying words with the others. + +"Ha! Bartolo," from a fighting man, "the damsel with thee would better +be in the saddle, and thou in her arms. Santa Cruz! if she snatches +another handful of thy mop thou wilt be as bald as a buckeye." + +The "damsel" was none other than Pepita, who vigorously pulled her +captor's hair and beat his face whenever opportunity offered. + +"She's pretty as a yearling fawn," parried Bartolo. "Art +sweet-tempered and playful, little one? No?" + +The "little one" replied by so energetically pushing her foot into the +pit of Bartolo's stomach that he was nearly overbalanced. + +"Ha! ha!" jeered the first speaker, "pass her to me, Bartolo. +Otherwise it's plain who'll pound the corn and bake the tortillas in +thy wickiup." + +"A devil bite thee, Naciso," growled Bartolo. "Quit, thou angel," to +Pepita, "or thou wilt find that in a matter of blows I can give as well +as take." + +At the eastern end of the pass the sides became sheer declivities; +while the roadway, a sharp incline, so narrowed that a part of +Stanislaus's riflemen were forced to lead the procession, the remainder +to go to the rear, as a wet sponge squeezed in the middle drips at both +ends. + +"Halt!" like a thunder-bolt in clear sky, came a stentorian shout from +the western outlet. It was Enrico, and ranged by his side and +Carmelita Mendoza's were three hundred men whose carbines were gleaming +in the afternoon sun. + +Less than four hours elapsed since noon, and Stanislaus had calculated +that no rescuing party could be organized before the following day. He +was astounded. Morando, he knew, had gone to Monterey with Señor +Mendoza. His scouts had brought the word shortly before the attack at +the Mission. + +The pursuers quickly thinned their line and stretched across the mouth +of the pass. + +The chief, ever quick-witted, formulated a plan on the moment--to gain +time by parleying, meanwhile surreptitiously to recall his riflemen to +the front, thus, with his fighters together, hold the ground till night +when he would escape under cover of dark. So: + +"Under whose leadership come you?" he questioned. "Captain Morando's?" + +There was no reply. He repeated: + +"Who's your leader, I say? Captain Morando?" his eyes searching the +ranks of the newcomers. + +Silently men began filtering through the press back to Stanislaus's +side, in accordance with his low-toned, hurriedly given order. + +"Has that one word from you left your tongue benumbed, fool? Who heads +you?" inwardly swearing at his stupidity in allowing his fighting force +to become divided. "Answer me. Who heads you?" + +"The Señorita Doña Carmelita Mendoza," replied Enrico, impressively. + +"Thou hast ever been a joker, old man," guffawed Stanislaus. "Call to +mind Salinas field where our bullet overtook thee, and bawl a joke +about that." + +Carmelita advanced her horse a few steps. "Stanislaus, I remember you +as Padre Duran's major-domo, at Mission San José. Come forth here and +meet me, and let you and me alone arrange for returning the peonas to +their home. For each rifle of yours we have two to oppose, and +reenforcements are hurrying to join us. Come, let us speak together." + +Her words to the renegade rang through the narrow cañon with the weight +of a command. Amazement held the outlaw's tongue. To be summoned to +war conference with a señorita was an experience hitherto unknown. + +"Speak, Stanislaus," her turn, now, to insist, "or have you become +dumb? Or, are you afraid to ride out to meet a woman?" + +"I must have time to consult my lieutenants," dissimulated the chief. +"Stand at one side, then, with your lieutenants. Let no other among +you move." + +The vigor of her spirit, showing through manner and speech, caused the +interfiling among Stanislaus's men to lessen, then to cease. + +"Is Señor Mendoza there?" he inquired. Then, in undertone, through +shut teeth. "Carajo! slip along here, you scared rabbits, or I'll burn +every one of you alive!" + +Again the straggling rifles began pushing back to him. + +"The Señor Mendoza is not here, but his daughter is. Take no further +steps, not one of you, or I will order my men to fire." + +Circling her horse, she gave the word: "See to your priming! Present +your pieces!" as she had seen her father do on many an occasion. + +"Hold, señorita!" from Stanislaus. "'Tis very fitting that we confer, +but I must have my lieutenants' agreement." Then, in somewhat lower +key: "Such fat wits you lieutenants are. I can beat nothing into you +except with my pistol butt. Draw nearer, you rattle-pated +grass-eaters." + +This reached Carmelita's ears, as he intended it should; but she did +not fail to catch in it the temporizing to bring to his side those of +his riflemen who had not already wormed their way back. + +"Girl stealer, deliver the peonas with you to us, else you and your +fellow thieves will lie here, food for vulture and coyote," challenged +the señorita, true daughter of the soldier de la Mendoza. + +"Have care, doña," cautioned Enrico. "The miscreant's talk means +treachery." + +"Stanislaus is going to shoot!" screamed Pepita in warning. "He----" +The last word ended in a gurgle, a hand closing around her throat. + +Suddenly, the outlaws fired from the hip, with accurate aim. The +bullets cut through the air. Many of Carmelita's Indians had wheeled +under their horses at Pepita's cry of warning, thus saving themselves. +However, not a few of the shots, flying low, found home in flesh and +bone of both man and beast. The hoarse cry of stricken horses drowned +the moan of fallen men. Confusion reigned among the raw recruits from +the Mendoza hacienda, for the first time facing veterans. Wounded +horses threshing from side to side, or struggling backward or forward, +added disorder to disorder. + +A fierce exhilaration possessed the señorita as the leaden whispers of +death parted before her face. The heritage of twenty generations +asserted itself, bringing with it the intoxication of battle and the +genius of generalship. As there was no fear in her heart, so was +there, for the time being, no room for sorrow at the suffering and +death about her. She knew only a vehement desire to dash upon +Stanislaus, beat him to the dust, scatter destruction over his men, +ride triumphantly back to the foothills, and return the peonas to the +arms of their matronas. + +The confusion among the hacienda workmen became a panic. "Escape!" one +yelled, and spurred his horse to safety. One after another burst from +the ranks, to follow like frightened sheep. Volley after volley +whistled after them from the outlaws' pistols and carbines. Derisive +yells and laughter came from the seasoned fighters. + +A figure darted past the fleeing peons. A horse was brought up across +the road in front of them, and Carmelita faced the retreating mob. + +"Back to the cañon's mouth!" she commanded. "I'll shoot the man who +yields another step," pointing significantly to her rifle. Her eyes +blazed with terrible insistence, her face chalk-white with passion. + +The terrified peons paused. To their superstitious natures their young +mistress was become a threatening god from another world. + +"The cañon's mouth is the mouth of hell," some one found courage to say. + +"It is the gate of deliverance for the girls those renegades have +stolen. Back to the pass, hombres! Back to the pass! and fight till +the death!" She waved her rifle over her head. "Back to the pass, +hombres, and make rescue!" + +She turned her horse toward the cañon. "Follow me!" + +She went forward. The men obeyed. From a walk, they urged their +horses into a gallop, then into topmost speed. The dispirited rabble +became a fighting battalion. + +Stanislaus, in curiosity to see what had become of the column so rashly +attacking him, had moved back into the wake of the retreating peons. + +The hoof-thunder of horses tempestuously advancing caused him to throw +his force into a hollow square, fearing that some body of capable +soldiery, having tracked him, was about to make a charge on him. + +For the third time within half an hour the chief's senses were held in +wonder. The approaching troop was the same which a few minutes before +had ignominiously fled before him. Rapidly they deployed, under +Carmelita's orders, the line thus formed making the men a more +difficult target, as the girl had learned in watching her father train +fighting peons. + +"Present rifles! Aim! Fire!" the señorita called in a single breath. + +The cañon shook under the deafening detonation that resulted. +Boulders, loosened by the concussion, rolled down the sides of the +defile. A thousand echoes reiterated the vengeance of the valley peons. + +Stanislaus's Indians, massed together, withered under the tremendous +fusillade. Only those in front could use their weapons to advantage, +the riflemen on sides and rear of the square being in danger of hitting +their fellows, if they attempted to shoot low enough to strike among +their enemy. + +Carmelita fired her rifle, reloaded it and fired it again and again, +till the weapon clogged with powder-smut and became so heated that she +could scarcely hold the barrel for sighting. + +The undrilled peons from the rancho, steadied by her example, added +coolness to their enthusiasm. Despite their friends falling everywhere +around them, under Stanislaus's desperate defense, their line gradually +was closing in on him, their carbines, flash upon flash, cracking in +deadly purpose. + +The Indian chieftain's number was decimated seriously; still, in hollow +square formation, he slowly backed to the narrow end of the pass, here +to wait for the protecting shadows of night. + +Relays of peons, arriving at the Mendoza hacienda late, hastened after +Carmelita and the others. These reenforcements brought dismay to the +hard-driven savages fighting against time for their opportunity to +escape with their booty. + +Stanislaus, knowing the value of active offense in such an emergency, +detached Cayetano and a body of selected men, to make a sortie. + +Cayetano's face seamed. His teeth bared. "Knock the wenches on the +head! Then every man for himself! or, we'll never leave this rat-trap +alive." + +"Cayetano, to the front, as I say! Lead the attack!" ordered the chief. + +"Lead it yourself. Your bones will look as well whitening the ground +as mine." + +Stanislaus, without further word, struck to his death the insubordinate. + +The dire fate Cayetano had wished to visit on the peonas was seconded +by the menacing looks of not a few of the abductors. "Yes, knock the +girls on the head! Knock the girls on the head! Let's get out of +here! Curse the witches anyway!" could be heard on all sides. + +"They are going to kill us! to kill us!" pierced the air laden with +smoke of battle and the odor of blood. "O, save us! Save us! Have +pity on us! Take us home! Mother in Heaven! O, save us!" + +Goaded to frenzy by these cries, Carmelita's peons flooded across the +intervening space and fell on Stanislaus, who abandoned to their fate +the sortie detail he had thrown forward. With such men as he could +muster he sped, with the peonas, out of the cañon into the broken +country edging Calaveras Valley. Here his people seemed to scatter. +Hoof-tracks led aimlessly to every quarter of the compass. + +To solve the riddle the hacienda peons ran over the ground and nosed it +like hounds. No one could tell in which direction to go in succor of +the peonas. + +From his saddle old Enrico peered at the signs which to the ordinary +observer indicated that Stanislaus and his people had come in compact +body to this spot, then, under centrifugal impulse, had departed hither +and yon. + +In his observings the man moved a little away from Carmelita, then +returned. + +"Señorita doña, I'm proud of the boys; they're all right--that +onslaught--line lasted them about as long as a box of mice would a +dozen terriers--but they can't read a trail." + +"Then, you be eyes for us, Enrico," pleaded Carmelita. "Soon the sun +leaves, and search to-morrow will be useless." + +Enrico dismounted, slowly crawled on knees and hands, examining the +ground minutely. He descended into a swiftly running stream, and +studied the rocky bed through the clear water. Finally, he crept up +the other side and limped away into the forest. + +It seemed an age before he came back. Long shadows, forerunners of +approaching night, were measuring the hills beyond. At last he was in +sight, exultation lighting his face and hastening his uncertain steps. + +"Señorita doña," he exclaimed, "Stanislaus is near here, on foot, and +consequently at our mercy." + +"How so, Enrico?" quickly from Carmelita. + +"His horses left that stream riderless, as their plunging gait shows; +though they went into it under bridle, as is plain from the even +measure of their step. The foot impression of men's hard-leather soles +lies in that creek-bed. Stanislaus and many with him wear Mission +shoes of tanned cattle-skin. Furthermore," holding up a knot of +ribbon, "this adornment was caught on a low-sweeping madrona branch, +and these," showing several wet deer-skin moccasins inlaid with glass +beads, "I plucked from crevices where the bottom of the stream is +rocky. The scoundrelly renegades cannot be far away. Let us rush down +on them, having caution, though, for ambuscade." + +"They are bound for the cave two miles farther down the cañon, and they +sought to deceive us into following riderless horses. We must cut them +off before they reach the shelter," cried Carmelita. + +She led the way at break-neck speed through chaparral, over gullies, up +rocky heights that would have taxed the climbing abilities of a goat, +down a long, thickly-shrubbed glade, to a ragged opening under a cliff. +It was the exit through which, the night of the storm, Farquharson and +Brown, with Yoscolo and Stanislaus, had passed from the cave which gave +refuge to Carmelita and her dueña. + +"Within and quickly!" called the girl, driving straight through the +natural door. The peons thronged after her. + +Light made its way into the many-chambered cavern through the +innumerable rifts in the rocky mountain side. Carmelita led the way to +the lower entrance where the carreta had come to grief. Here they +waited, grim figures in the twilight silence. + +"Some are coming," Enrico whispered after a moment. + +They saw many forms approaching. The Indians, carrying the girls in +their arms, stalked in single file, each stepping with precision in the +footprints of his predecessor, to give the impression that but one man +had passed that way. The semidarkness of the cave prevented their +seeing anyone inside. + +"Drop your rifles! Up with your hands!" Carmelita's voice gathered +volume from the great spaces behind. + +Stanislaus and his men were petrified. + +"Drop your rifles! Up with your hands!" repeated the girl. + +"Stanislaus, show yourself to be a joker. Make a jest!" mocked old +Enrico. + +The renegades dropped the peonas; the most of them threw away their +weapons; all fled precipitately. Thus ended the memorable raid of +Stanislaus, the Indian renegade, unaccountably put to rout by a +delicately reared señorita. + +Carmelita and the peons quickly gathered around the neophytes. Despite +the severe experience of the day not one of the girls had received +injury. Amid tears and laughter they loudly expressed their gratitude +to their deliverers. Their vociferations were silenced by the sound of +musketry discharge, in the direction toward which Stanislaus and his +men had gone. Many of the peons, mad with thirst of slaughter, tore +thitherward. + +Soon musketry rattled again, this time much nearer the cave. The girl, +leaving Enrico and a guard in charge of the peonas, rode after the men. +She climbed a steep hill. Looking over a crag into the valley below, +she saw that which clutched her heart. + +Captain Morando lay wounded there. Stanislaus, knife in hand, was +leaping down a narrow path toward him. The soldier's pistol was lying +several feet away. He attempted to reach it, but ineffectually. + +The Indian growled wolf-like as he neared his enemy. + +"Stop!" shrieked Carmelita, springing from her horse and madly bounding +down the path. + +"You villain!" she flung at Stanislaus, as she faced him. + +Except for the knife he was unarmed. He saw that her hands were empty. +She had left her rifle on the saddle. He jumped toward her. + +"Up the path, for God's sake, Carmelita!" weakly cried the stricken +Captain. + +"Never! I'll die first!" + +The knife was cleaving the air. The girl saw only Don Alfredo. + +"Pause! renegade," a deep voice sounded back of them. + +Padre Osuna had vaulted from an overhanging shelf. Catching +Stanislaus's wrists he wrenched the knife from his hand. Raising the +desperado from the earth he hurled him with volcanic power against a +tree-trunk. The creature fell senseless. Examination showed him to be +stunned only. + +The friar took Morando's head in his arms. + +"Where the hurt, my brother?" + +"My shoulder," his eyes closing in oblivion. + +"O, Padre, is Alfredo much injured?" her low words trembling with +emotion. + +"I cannot yet tell, doña," sympathetic concern for the prostrate man +showing in his face and voice as he half whispered the reply. + +"The wound is deep--and ugly--on the left side, too--I don't like its +looks." He seemed to be speaking to himself, as his taper fingers +deftly and gently searched the course of the bullet. + +Carmelita scarcely breathed. + +"Get some water from that spring, doña, quick. His pulse is stopping. +Bring it in his cap; there's nothing else." + +The girl's feet scarcely touched the ground in performing the task. + +The friar dashed the water in Morando's face. His pulse showed no +quickening. Carmelita hastened for another supply of water. This was +as ineffective as the first. A third capful brought a slight return of +animation. + +"He's a little better now." + +"O, padre." + +Morando looked slowly up at them. + +"Better now, brother? Good," as Morando slightly nodded. "We'll have +you around soon. Lie very quietly and rest." + +At sight of the pallid face lying against the padre's arm, Carmelita +turned and walked away, to conceal the sobbing that would not down. + +"But the bullet has found no vital part. Here it is, lodged in the +muscles under the arm," the friar soon announced cheeringly. + +Immediately Carmelita returned, her face speaking joy, her lips silent. + +"With good care our caballero will recover. Thank God!" + +"Thank God!" repeated the girl, her throat hardly vocalizing the words. + +"And now, señorita, mia, may we trouble thee for more water? Our +pitcher lacks size, therefore must it go often to the well." + +Morando drank eagerly, with the thirst of the wounded. Refreshed, he +tried to move to a sitting posture. The padre gently restrained him. + +"Not yet, my friend. A little more rest." + +Morando again closed his eyes. + +"I forgot to send you word to-day, padre," from the señorita. + +"Word came, nevertheless, doña. My men cross-tracked the renegades in +the hills above us and are now chasing them." + +Stanislaus, regaining consciousness from a shock that would have broken +the bones of an ordinary man, made an attempt for freedom. The friar's +hand whirled him back. + +"Estanislao, many unshriven souls have this day gone before God because +of you. Have you no compunctions?" + +The Indian glowered. + +"Señorita, I will leave Captain Morando with you a few minutes, while I +find men and improvise a litter. As for you, son of Belial," speaking +to Stanislaus, "walk before me until I can get safe custody for you." + +Padre Osuna drove the sulky renegade up the path. + +Carmelita brought fresh water and bathed the wounded man's face. He +lay very still. At last he opened his eyes. + +"Carmelita, what are you doing here?" + +"Never mind that till later." + +"I went part way to Monterey with Señor Mendoza, then I returned to San +José, where I received your message," he said in weak voice. "I could +only bring a few volunteers, my soldiers having continued on with the +señor." + +"Please do not talk. You are not strong enough. The padre will soon +bring assistance, and we will take you to my father's house." + +He lay quiet once more. The girl thought he slept. Her smooth hands +continued bathing his face. + +"I didn't mean to offend you, Carmelita. I didn't know--of your +engagement--to Don Abelardo." + +"So you have heard that old story! Why, Alfredo, I have never been +engaged to anyone." + +His eyes opened wide. A faint flush spread over his pale cheeks. + +"Never engaged--never engaged--you are not going to marry Peralta--not +marry him?" + +"No," she smiled. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +A DEPARTURE + +"Señor Mendoza, there is no use to continue this parley. It does no +good. I have possession of California. That possession I shall +retain." + +"The enlightened will of the people of this province must decide +whether you retain possession, or relinquish it, Commodore Billings." + +The two were standing within the fort, at a window. They were alone. +The marines of the frigate United States and the sloop-of-war Cyane +were drilling not far away. The soft, "plush, plush, plush" of their +feet could be heard, following the staccato calls for maneuvers. + +"I relinquish possession only when forced to do so." + +"The proposal was made and accepted that your government hold Monterey +tentatively." + +"Never accepted by me. Our consideration of that question was broken +up by Señor Zelaya sprinting in with news that Fairbanks's ships were +passing south. The subject was not taken up again." + +"But O'Donnell accepted it, Commodore. He has letters from Mr. Tyler, +your President, countersigned by your Secretary of State, giving him +full power to act for his government." + +"Produce O'Donnell and his papers, Colonel Mendoza." + +"O'Donnell started eastward at midnight, as you well know. Two months +will scarce see his return." + +"Señor Mendoza, I found the capital here without government of any +kind; in other words, deserted." + +"The absence of the people's servants, whether in fort or government +house, does not make void that people's rights." + +"I led my ships through peril of fog and night, to gain advantage of +the British. Had they reached here before me, then, Señor Mendoza, +this enlightened will of which you speak might go to Jericho." + +"The British would have arrived here before you, as you are well aware, +had not trading vessels, which I have under charter, at gravest risk +drawn you away from certain wreck." + +Billings raised his eyebrows. + +"Commodore, in plain words, you are engaged in a piece of +filibustering. The United States is not back of such a movement as +this." + +The Commodore paced away savagely, then turned. + +"Colonel Mendoza, possession is nine points of law, and I have +possession. Demonstrate a better right than mine; and maintain it, if +you can!" + +The Spaniard, stooping, raised a heavy trapdoor. He threw it back. +Iron-barred windows lighted a chamber beneath. Mounds of powder were +heaped around everywhere. + +"Commodore Billings, we are standing over the powder-magazine of this +fort." + +"So I perceive, Señor Mendoza." + +The señor looked coolly at the other. + +"Well, perceive this." From his pocket he drew a taper, used for +lighting cigaritos, ignited it and held it up. + +"Man, what are you about? Put out that fire!" + +"Ah! Stand near--not too close. Now, look at that black sand." + +Billings's mouth shut hard. + +"In that sand, Commodore, there is power enough pent up to blow your +marines to atoms, if I drop this tiny piece of flame. You and I--well, +Commodore Billings, it is not necessary to consider ourselves." + +Mendoza held the taper between thumb and forefinger. Two paces +distant, across the aperture in the floor, the Commodore stood, his +hand resting on a pistol which he did not draw. + +"Shoot, Señor Billings," Mendoza said quietly, still holding the taper +over the powder. + +Billings's hand dropped from the pistol to his side. + +"Then, cry aloud for help, my señor." + +"Mendoza, what are you about?" hoarsely asked the Commodore. "What do +you want?" + +"That you leave Monterey." + +Billings's teeth ground together. "Never!" + +"Never?" glancing at the taper. + +"It would not be the first house you have blown up." + +"But it would be the last, my Commodore." + +Mendoza seemed to grow in stature, to become colossal, terrible. + +"This taper burns low. I have not another." + +Billings's form relaxed. + +"Your province is not worth a quarter thousand lives." + +"So, you decide, Señor Billings. Well, open that window, then, and +order your men to the ships." + +"I shall not. What a diabolical advantage for you to take, Mendoza!" + +"Nothing of the sort. I merely insist on the preservation of the +rights of this province. You proclaim your intention of violating +these rights, notwithstanding O'Donnell's pledged words." + +The flame pointed its unsteady way higher. + +"One minute more you have, Commodore Billings." Slowly Mendoza turned +his hand. The taper slipped a little through his fingers. "Now, Señor +Billings, or----" + +The Commodore's voice shouted to his marines. His lips were framing a +call for help. + +The taper moved downward a little farther. "Commodore Billings, you +thus cast the die? One--two--" a significant pause. + +The Commodore's hollow voice ordered his men to the ships. + +Mendoza extinguished the taper. In one hand he still held its end; in +the other he meaningly grasped the flint. He did not speak. + +Billings repeated his command, till every wondering marine had embarked. + +Mendoza's peon riflemen filed into the castle; white gunners who had +seen service in Manila, manned the cannon. The muzzle of the ordnance +inclined until their lips opened threateningly over the boats teetering +in the surf. Three hundred sharpshooters, lent Mendoza by Captain +Sutter, of New Helvetia, thickened in the auxiliary battery. + +A salvo would be echoed by a thousand small arms. + +Commodore Billings foresaw certain destruction in resistance. + +As he was stepping into the last-departing boat Mendoza said to him: + +"Because you came as conqueror we bid you go." + +In an hour the harbor was empty, the flagpoles of square and castle +bare. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +ODDS AND ENDS + +Señora Valentino, rather pale, was sitting in the room adjoining the +treasure-chamber of the old Spanish governor. Captain Farquharson was +opposite. + +"So you return to Europe to-morrow, Captain." + +"Yes, señora, and glad am I to have the conveniences of a home-going +war vessel. When do you go?" + +"In a month or so--some time in the latter part of October." + +"I regret I was able to give your brilliant work here such inefficient +aid." + +"My work here has been a brilliant failure," with a little laugh that +was half a sigh. + +"Señora, except for an altogether unforseeable combination of adverse +circumstances California to-day would be English territory." + +"Yes, if the wind had not blown; if the fog had not obscured, and if +night had not come; or, to put it in different words, if Fairbanks had +not been Fairbanks." + +"The magnanimity of these squadron commanders is overpowering, Admiral +Fairbanks having his equal in Commodore Billings. Why, the capital +simply rolled into Billings's hands. Then, he and Mendoza are seen in +the castle holding some sort of a conference. The first thing we know, +the castle is evacuated, and the Administrator of Mission San José is +left cock of the walk." + +"That is history as it is written, Captain." + +"What do you mean?" + +"O, nothing of any consequence. I was merely thinking aloud; that is +all." + +"My lady, I assure you I was standing at the old parade ground, an +interested spectator of the exhibition of the manual of arms, when the +occurrence of which I have spoken took place." + +"My peon friend, Alberto, crept up under a window, within earshot of +Commodore Billings and Señor Mendoza as they were having that little +conference of theirs. What Alberto heard has cost him many a nightmare +since." + +"Señora, I'm in the dark." + +"Well, well, Captain, in any case, it is a closed book to us now. +Administrator Mendoza has gained advantage in the first throw. We'll +leave England's cause in the hands of those whom the Home Office will +send out. Who wins the game only the future will disclose." + +"Many will miss you here, my lady." + +"Crisostimo and my sister go with me, at least, as far as Spain. Our +ship will round the Cape of Good Hope, not Cape Horn, as does yours. +My brother-in-law, having sent in his resignation as official here to +the government in Mexico, has sold his holdings in California to a +company of which Señor Mendoza is president." + +"Señora, I referred to the province at large. You have a cherished +place in the hearts of many." + +"It is a delight to be held in good estimation. I appreciate all the +kind thoughts." + +"As to the province in particular. On my way here I met Abelardo +Peralta, in company with young Ysidro de la Barra and the +half-'Boston,' Sam Watson. Don Abelardo was saying he had laid the +Rancho San Antonio at your feet for the fifth time, and for the fifth +time had found himself closing your door from the outside, a rejected +suitor." + +She smiled. "Abelardo is a dear boy, but very, very young." + +"De la Barra and Watson each declared Morando stands between them and +their happiness. They would challenge the Captain to a duel, and, +dying spit by his rapier, they would leave their haciendas to you, in +touching remembrance of their devotion. Peralta, on the contrary, +rather scoffed, and said he would live, and see the soldier Captain +leave your house biting his fingers in disappointment, as he himself +had done." + +The señora's pale face flushed. The toe of her slipper tapped the +floor. + +"I told them," the man not noticing, went on, jocularly, "that I had +known many suitors in Europe leaving you disconsolate, but had never +heard of any deaths therefrom. Whereupon they insisted that I too am +your suitor. I told them I am too old and battered for such a +beautiful young lady, besides having a cherished wife at home, a very +good friend of the Señora Valentino. The two again denounced Morando, +declaring their certainty that the Captain would be the victor." + +"You are much interested in romance, I see, Captain. Tell me that old +story connected with your life in Dublin. You referred to it once, and +aroused my interest. We were too busy then, but now we have a little +leisure for diversion." + +"Doubtless it would be to you a twice-told tale." + +"Never mind, anyway, Captain. We all like to hear good stories, and +especially from the lips of the actor himself." + +"In the springtime of life sentiment bubbles up, and over, with the +most of us. So was it with me. + +"Soon after I received my commission as Captain our regiment was +ordered to Dublin. A young recruit who had taken the queen's shilling +was assigned to the grenadier company, my own. A veritable giant of a +man he was, and had in him the making of a consummate soldier. Both of +us saw light first on the bank of the lordly Shannon, I, in the hall, +he, in a cottage of my father's estate. His parents still live in the +old cottage. + +"Well, the giant soldier-boy and I became almost chums. I had just +come from several gay seasons that London gave us, and I felt pretty +much at outs with the inanity of my own class. He was fresh and +original, and I had known him from childhood. Of course he loved a +girl. She was in domestic service, but as good as gold. I thought I +was in love with her too. But, pshaw! she had more sense than I. +Otherwise, we might have married, and have been miserable for life. +Still, she did seem a breath of heaven after the women of my own set." + +"You forgot Lady Matilda," prompted the señora, laughing. + +"My wife is one of God's good women, and I pray we shall be able to +rear our little daughter to be like her. What I am relating occurred +many years before I met Matilda." + +"Good, my friend! And now for the rest of the tale!" + +"A breach opened, and widened, between O'Donnell and me. She preferred +him, you see, wherein she was wise. + +"Then followed some words of mine for which I have always been sorry. +I tried to make her believe he wasn't worthy of her, and all that. I +didn't actually succeed, though she allowed him to think I did. I +suppose at the time she really did half believe what I had insinuated. + +"The young man stormed, pleaded, and raved. She seemed not to heed. +One afternoon, on the parade ground, I rallied him harshly for some +error in the drill which was really most immaterial. Then I sneered +some beastly words at him. He clubbed his carbine and attacked me. I +dodged and a glancing blow struck my shoulder and head. I was disabled +for a year." + +After a short wait, he went on: + +"And I deserved what I received. By some miracle O'Donnell escaped +capture. For some years he was in South America; then he came to +California, went among the plains Indians east of here, and became a +mighty sachem among them. When he was in Washington, on some +delegation for the Indians, he came under attention of high officials +of the United States Government. No word need be said of his work +here, señora," with a laugh. + +"What of the peasant maid, Captain? You are forgetting her." + +"She read of O'Donnell's activities, it seems; and learned of my +presence here through the same source, the newspaper. The man-of-war +lately from England, which brought news of my father's death, together +with my accession to his title and estates, carried a letter to me from +her, inclosing another to O'Donnell. I delivered his letter in person. +I told him I am glad his old love is waiting for him, and promised when +I get home to have all disability removed, so he can return and claim +his bride. O'Donnell and I parted on the terms of our old-time +friendship." + +"Why did not the girl write direct to O'Donnell himself?" + +"She was sure of my address, but not of his." + +"I am more than glad that your story has such a happy ending." + +"I had come on O'Donnell in the city plaza. We were sitting together +in conversation when Mendoza walked up and greeted me with all possible +cordiality, as a former comrade-in-arms. I found that the +Administrator remembered me perfectly, and has kept track of me rather +closely, the world over, considering distance and isolation." + +"Did he know of your driving the powder wagons through the blazing +buildings at Waterloo, when the regular postilions had deserted their +charge?" asked the señora, with a smile of admiration. + +"Yes," modestly. "He was kind enough to speak of it. When we left +each other, he told me whenever I return to California to make his +house my own. I am glad that I met him." + +A knock shook the door. + +Colonel Barcelo was outside. + +"Silvia," he said, "I may say you have shown yourself to be an unusual +woman, a woman of knowledge and acumen quite remarkable for your years." + +"Come in and be seated, Crisostimo. Here is my friend, Captain +Farquharson." + +"Ah, yes. Thank you for the chair. Good day, Captain Farquharson," +this last stiffly. "Well, what I want to decide is, shall I issue a +pardon for that low-down Indian, Stanislaus? Padre Osuna is now in the +reception room waiting for my answer." + +"Does the padre wish for this pardon?" + +"Yes." + +"Why?" + +"It's this way. Padre Osuna has the fellow confined here in Monterey. +You see," looking at Farquharson, "I'm still acting-governor, and shall +be until notice accepting my resignation comes back from Mexico City. +So, I can pardon or not, as I please. Do you understand?" glowering at +the Captain. + +"But why does the padre ask the pardon?" persisted the señora. + +"O, well, he expects to make a good man out of him, and then through +him convert all those savages in the San Joaquin over whom Stanislaus +has become a sort of king, since the death of Yoscolo." + +"Surely Padre Osuna's judgment should be trusted in the matter, +Crisostimo." + +"Yes, yes. Exactly what has been in my mind all the time. I'll pardon +the fellow. He told me the Señorita Mendoza has thrashed all the bad +spirits out of him, and that Padre Osuna has beaten many good spirits +into him--yes, I'll pardon the fellow. But there is one thing I never +can forget, and that is the way that rascally Morando has treated me." +He again glared at Farquharson, left the room and stamped down the +corridor. + +"It's Crisostimo's way," laughed the señora. "Captain, there is the +question of the maps in this chamber, and those wonderful placer mines." + +"Why not let Twickenham, our consul, take up the matter? He is +entirely dependable." + +"Very true, Captain; but there are many inquisitive eyes about. The +working of the mine would mean that many may learn of its existence, +and soon a deluge of Americanos come. Then, surely California would +never be England's. Let our successors in the work do their part +without undue handicap. In quieter times we will form a company, find +the mines and work them." + +"Señora, in Europe your hand will be busy in affairs of far greater +interest to the world than the future of California." + +"I shall never forget California, and the maps shall be safely kept +till such time as we wish to use them." + +"Now, dear lady, after long association comes the time for good-bys. +It will be months, at least, before we meet again. Allow me to express +my gratitude for the inspiration you have been to me in this California +work." + +"Captain, I thank you most cordially for what you say. When Lord Bevis +Farquharson, with his wife, Lady Matilda, and their little daughter, +Margaret, come to London remember that my establishment in Great Curzon +Street is their home." + +They clasped hands, their eyes dimming. + +"My lady, do not forget that you have another home at Farquharson +Court." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +ACROSS THE YEARS + +Nine or ten friars, from different missions within a day's ride, were +in a room close by the living apartment of the pastor, Padre Osuna, of +Mission San José. Once or twice the padre's voice, in deep murmur, +came to the ears of his waiting confreres; then it was silent. Each +time the others paused a little, for his coming, then resumed desultory +conversation. + +"Why waits so long Padre Osuna for the coming?" impatiently from Padre +Mercado, continuing: "We are told he is within, and even now once more +I heard his voice." + +Juan Antonio ushered in Señor Mendoza. + +"Señors Padres, it is a delight to meet you. I trust your various +charges are prospering." + +The friars, who had arisen, exchanged glances. + +"This is as may be, señor," from the padre of Santa Clara. + +Padre Osuna came quietly into their midst. + +"Reverend padres, and Señor Mendoza, I am late. A visitor, coming +unexpectedly and bringing a message of vast purport to me, was the +cause of my detaining. Let us be seated." + +He continued: + +"Brethren of my order, I requested you here, that you might be +listeners of the proposal Señor Mendoza is prepared to make. You know +the missions and their requirements. You may be able to enlighten him +as to the wisest course. Now," inclining his head to Mendoza, "we are +ready to hear you, señor." + +The courtly hidalgo bowed in return. + +"Señor pastor, and señors padres, the law of the secularization is +spread on our statute books. Its extension in this Mission of San José +de Guadalupe has been gradual, as you know. I believe the time has +come for further extension." + +He looked slowly from Osuna to the others. None of the churchmen +spoke. He went on: + +"Namely, that each able-bodied Indian of good character, member of this +Mission, shall receive a plot of land of sufficient acreage to maintain +himself and his family; the land, of course, to be taken from the +leagues still held by this Mission, in trust, from the Mexican +government." + +Padre Osuna did not speak. + +"The Indians are but overgrown children, and are incapable of caring +for themselves, except under strict tutelage. So said the great +missionary, Padre Junipero Serra, and the years have shown the wisdom +of his thought." Thus, Padre Suscol, of Sonoma. + +"Years ago I gave each of my Indians his piece of land. They are +working it for themselves, and ably. Padre Junipero spoke of the issue +as he knew it sixty years ago, and most wise were his words, but he +could not foresee present-day needs," was Mendoza's reply. + +"The procedure that you propose will impoverish the Mission," +remonstrated another friar. + +"Many of the hacenderos are giving each year a tithe to the Mission. +Let the Indians be instructed to do the same, either in money or in +labor," rejoined Mendoza. + +Osuna lifted his eyes. "Why load this burden on our neophytes?" + +"To teach them the necessity of self-reliance. They should become of +age, as regards development of mind." + +"Their old teachers should determine that," from Padre Mercado. + +"The state determines when our sons and daughters attain their +majority, not we," from Mendoza. + +"Why oppress our neophyte children with this becoming of age just at +this time?" questioned Osuna. + +"Because it is not a day too soon. Men of many nations begin to flock +here. Westward the course of civilization must come. It is destiny. +We cannot stay it. Then, why not meet it? We, Spaniard and Indian, +must stand on our own feet, accept from the newcomer what will +strengthen our moral and spiritual fiber, and give back as much of +ourselves as will benefit others. Therefore must we be self-reliant." + +The room was still. + +Padre Osuna spoke after a moment. + +"Circumstances have but now arisen which preclude me from giving Señor +Mendoza reply. That, as well as the adjustment of other affairs here, +will have to fall to some one else. Soon will I make explanation." +Turning to Mendoza: "Shall I find the Señor Mendoza at his house late +this afternoon?" + +Mendoza bowed. "At your service, señor padre." + +"Brethren, I will return to you in a moment." + +The padre conducted the Administrator down a long corridor, into the +courtyard, toward the lodge. + +An elderly woman was walking under a vine-covered trellis. + +"Mother," tenderly from the friar, "I am sorry to keep you waiting; but +there are many things to do, and only a short time." + +The snowy-haired woman had advanced a few steps to meet her son. She +stopped abruptly. She was not looking at the padre, but at Señor +Mendoza. + +"My mother, allow me to present to you--" began the friar. + +"The Lady Romalda!" exclaimed Mendoza, the words clutching his throat. + +"Don José!" she cried, holding out her hands, her lips trembling. + +Señor Mendoza took her hands in his, and, bending low, reverently +kissed the finger-tips. "Romalda! Romalda!" + +The padre looked at the two in questioning wonder. The woman and the +man seemed to have slipped the years from their shoulders, and to be +standing again in youth. + +"My boy," said the mother, "Colonel Mendoza and I knew each other well, +many years ago. We were very dear--friends," moisture dimming her +eyes, emotion halting her voice. + +The son was much shaken by his mother's show of feeling. "My beloved +mother!" he said, gently stroking her hair. + +In a little Señor Mendoza and the Lady Romalda, after the manner of +those long separated, began speaking of former times. Soon the padre +excused himself, to return to his brethren, leaving his mother and +Señor Mendoza seated under the trellised vines. + +Nothing but kindliness and tenderness and chivalry was in Mendoza's +heart for the woman by his side. Memories long forgotten came to life, +under stimulation of the Lady Romalda's presence. Robbed of all +harshness were those bygone times. The happy and useful life he had +spent in his adopted country left bitterness no room. + +As for her, slumbering years and crowding vicissitude had put in the +background, but had not quenched, the affection for her girlhood lover. + +The years passed under review. + +They spoke of the parting in the castle of her father, the Ambassador +Altamira, of Castile. + +"Colonel," she said, a faint blush creeping into her faded cheek, "had +I listened one moment more to you that day, I would have fled to your +arms, and have left with you for California, though my father's heart +had broken." + +A surprised exclamation was Mendoza's reply. + +"You rode furiously down the avenue. At the bend, in the shadow of +those old oaks, you stopped, reining your horse about. I can still see +you there. I hastened to the door to welcome you, thinking you were +about to return. My father bade me within, but I obeyed not. I +remained at the door. I beckoned you. My father made a scene. +Nevertheless, once more I beckoned. I thought you saw, but you +galloped away." + +"I saw you not. Grief flooded my eyes. Castle Altamira, your home, +and hallowed by our courtship, had been to me as a shrine. + +"On this Pacific shore I had built another Castle Altamira, laying the +foundation and rearing the walls in love. It embodied my devotion to +you. In the shadow of those oaks, as I rode away, my heart was gone +from me, for the castle in Castile was become but building stone, the +doña of the hearth mine no longer. The new home in this western world, +lacking the cement of love, was worthless, and must fall in ruins. Had +I seen you beckoning--" agitation breaking the sentence. + +"You would have returned, José?" + +"Yes, Lady Romalda, yes; though many forbidding ambassador-fathers +barred the way," smiling. "But, señora, your father's intensity of +feeling seemed equaled by your own." + +"The hidalgo is by nature an ardent nationalist, as you know. Born +into that atmosphere, with every breath I imbibed its spirit. That you +should lose this pride of nation fired me with indignation. Yes, José, +even when love forced me to try to bring you back, my very soul was +lifted against you. Time, and the irony of fate, revolutionized my +views." + +They became silent, their thoughts busy. + +"I too became a foreigner," she went on presently, as if no break had +occurred in the conversation. + +She related her journeying to Bombay with her father, a few years +later, and of meeting there a young native prince who was in part of +Portuguese extraction, his mother having been a member of a powerful +family of that nationality residing in Goa. + +The prince's father, a Christian, had been maharajah of Rajput, one of +the great principalities of British Hindustan. The Mohammedan portion +of the maharajahship had engendered rebellion. In attempting to +suppress it by armed force the father was killed. The son, also a +Christian, attained high position in English officialdom in Bombay. + +This youthful Hindustanee, whose Latin name was Lusciano Osuna do +Castello Branco, became very friendly with the daughter of the Spanish +representative, Ambassador Altamira, of Castile. + +"My father died suddenly," said the Lady Romalda. "The prince paid +court and won my hand. We were married. + +"My husband was a citizen of Great Britain. I became a British subject +by my marriage. My son, known here as Padre Lusciano Osuna, was born +in Bombay, and was given his father's name in baptism, Lusciano Osuna +do Castello Branco." + +She told of her son's school days in England, whither the English +government had sent him, of his graduation from a military academy, and +his return to India. + +"The Mohammedan maharajah was deposed by the British. My husband was +placed on the throne. I lived in Rajput, a princess. My husband fell +in suppressing insurrection, as had his father before him. Lusciano, +my son, commanded in his father's stead, and through his efforts the +rebellion was overcome. Great preparations were under way to honor the +young prince, the present padre, when he should take the throne. Great +Britain promised him unlimited support. His father's enemies, even, +swore allegiance to him. All looked forward to a reign of prosperity +and peace. + +"Lusciano, always of strongly religious bent, refused the honor; turned +his back on the world and became a Franciscan novice in Goa. The +people begged him to remain with the principality, but he persisted in +his chosen course. Soon he was called to Europe. In a few years all +Spain was ringing in praise of the brilliant preaching of the friar do +Castello Branco. His superiors, foreseeing a future of great +usefulness for the churchman, were about to make him a cardinal. The +mystic, the recluse, in him took alarm, and he requested the British +ambassador at Madrid to use his influence to avert the threatened +honor. He was allowed to come to this province, and hoped the world +would forget him. + +"Grave difficulties have recently arisen in India, which is seething in +rebellion. The people of Rajput, remembering his efficient leadership, +are clamoring for the return of Prince do Castello Branco. The English +premier brought the matter before the pope, who has issued an order +that my son go to Rajput at once, ascend the throne, and, as +friar-king, rule for Christian concord in the principality. The +British ship bearing the order to Lusciano stopped at Bombay and I took +passage to meet my son and to see the country which was to have been my +home. + +"So, José, I came--and I find you, an unlooked-for pleasure. I was +told that you had obliterated the house you had prepared for me, so I +thought that long ago you had left this part of the world forever." + +Mendoza shook his head slowly, and was lost in reverie. At last he +spoke. "My heart overflows with rejoicing at this privilege of hearing +your voice once more, and of taking your hand in mine. Time touches +you lightly, Romalda." + +"And you, also, my Don José, of the erect shoulders and stalwart form." + +There under the arbor, with the busy life of the Mission going on about +them, they talked until the long shades came. + +It was not until Padre Osuna stood by their side and said, "Madre mia, +the twilight must chill thee after the warmth of Rajput," that they +parted. + +Matronas attended the mother, while the friar conducted Mendoza to the +lodge gate. + +"Señor," he said, "I have advised my brethren to resist secularization +by every means within their power. Were it possible for me to remain +as head of this Mission I would fight, to the last, the proposed +encroachment." + +The neighboring hacenderos vied among themselves to do honor to the +Princess do Castello Branco, guest of the province. The days came and +went in delightful companionship. + +Finally, the time for the homeward journey had arrived. The British +ship was sailing out of San Francisco harbor, on the afternoon tide. + +Lady Romalda and Señor Mendoza were standing on the forward deck, +looking out over the vast, restless sea. She was talking rapidly. He +spoke little. + +The vessel began pitching on the swells that precede the bar. + +It was the moment of parting. + +They stood, hands clasped. The lady's eyes were streaming. The +Administrator's good-by broke in his voice. + +A boat was lowered over the side, and Señor Mendoza was rowed to the +fort. + +The ship gathered headway, crossed the bar, and lost itself in the +horizon of the ocean. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +A WEDDING + +Merrily rang the chimes in the old belfry of the Mission church of San +José de Guadalupe. "Come! Come! Come! Come, Come!" the call sounded +far out into the valley shimmering in the green of springtide. + +"Come! Come! Come! Come, Come!" echoed the hills. + +Pigeons, denizens of the church tower, flew in, and out, and around, +the whirring of their wings sounding above the resonance of the bells, +in the intervals of their summoning notes. Flocks darted into the air, +circled for a moment, then disappeared, as if bearing away urgent +messages. Others dropped from emptiness, clung to the gargoyles on the +belfry corners, and, in low cooings, told some story. + +"We are coming! coming! coming!" came in refrain from many footbeats. +Men and women from throughout the entire province were gathering on the +eastern slope of Santa Clara Valley that bright spring morning. + +The Vallejos, of the North, came; their ladies were there, and their +sons and their daughters, personifications of the intellect, the valor, +the virtue and the beauty which glorified the valley of the Moon. Gold +and silver bespangled their horses' bridles, hung as pendants from the +bridlereins, inlaid the stirrups, and gilded the saddles from high +pommel in the front to long anquera reaching back to crupper. + +Gold lace adorned the hatbands and decorated the ponchos of the men, +while gold spurs clicked at their heels. Silk and satin embellished +señoritas beautiful and señoras handsome. Peons and peonas, jigging +after their masters on horses clean-limbed and swift, were bravely +attired as for a fiesta. + +The Picos rode in from the South, with retinue as splendid as that of +their Sonoma rivals, their Gallic heritage showing in the harmony and +luxuriousness of color in poncho and gowning. + +José Antonio Carillo escorted representatives of his family along the +Camino Real, through San José pueblo, on to San José Mission, four +leagues away toward the setting sun. + +The Bandinis followed the de la Guerras. The Auguellos and the +Malarins paced side by side. The busy bee of politics buzzed in vain +in the cap of Juan de Bautista Alvarado, for the active brain beneath +was under the spell of superior attraction in Mission San José, and the +man hastened thither faster than if the governor's chair awaited him +there. + +Señor Castro, the steadfast, flanked his friend Señor Alvarado, and +looked about complacently, contentment complete, since his equipment +equaled any present. + +The "Bostons," allied to the Spanish families, were there, as Latin in +dress and manner as the Spaniards themselves. + +"Come! Come! Come, Come!" the bell kept saying. "Come, to the +nuptials of the Señorita Carmelita Mendoza and the Señor Alfredo +Morando." + +Mission San José lay nestling in verdure. The vineyards pointed their +budding tendrils low, their gentler tints soft against the darker +leaves of the olive groves. + +Orange orchards rioted in magnificence on the sunny slopes. The tree +foliage, shot through with the waxy petals of next year's promise, half +hid the golden balls of this year's harvest still awaiting the +gathering hand. + +Almond trees, as yet showing never a leaf, were beclouded by their +snowy flowerings into vast pillars. + +Gentle breezes rose and fell. Soft blossom-showers whitened the +ground, eddied around parent tree-trunk, or crept to modest hiding +place amidst the grass-blades. + +Everywhere the odor of growing things loaded the air with sweet +messages. Myriad flower-breaths floated through open doors and +windows, dropping fragrant tribute in hacienda house and cloistered +corridor. + +People in throngs, eager with expectancy, held the street fronting on +the Mendoza hacienda house. Masters of ceremony opened a wide lane +from mansion to church. The Spanish gentry fringed either side; +detachments of soldiers, in serried rank, stood next; back of them, +overflowing to the very limits of the village, crowded other residents +of the valley. + +The deep-throated organ within the church began to voice its monologue. +The conversation of hidalgos fell to whisper; the chatter of peons and +peonas hushed. + +The great gate of the courtyard swung open wide. Through the archway, +on a palfrey white as milk, came the daughter of the de la Mendoza. +Her mount, true to the strain of his forebears in far-away Arabia, +caracoled to and fro, and ambled forward slowly, step by step, as if to +show the perfection that California could breed in priceless +horseflesh. His mane flowed into the trappings on his breast; his +streaming tail almost touched the ground. + +Carmelita, gowned in white, rode stately, as became the princess that +she well might be. The wreath of orange bloom clinging above her +forehead would have made a fitting diadem. The folds of her bridal +robe fell entrancingly about her. With eyes cast down, cheeks aglow, +she passed along, the fairest bride Santa Clara Valley ever saw; no +small claim, indeed, for hers was a time and she of a race wherefrom +beautiful women sprang in plenty. + +Here bridesmaids followed in double file, their horses white, every +one; their apparel, the delicate pink of the first flush of dawn, the +result of skillful needlewomen through many a day. + +Lolita Hernandez, pretty and piquant, was side by side with Lucinda +Higuera, demure and handsome. Alfreda Castro, with raven hair showing +beneath her satin head-covering, moved along with Tula Laynez, +gray-eyed, blonde-cheeked, and saucy as a sparrow. Palmita Peralta, +with cherry lips ever smiling, was paired with Leopolda Estudillo, of +the starry eyes. + +The bride has reached the church steps. + +Deftly her feet disengage themselves from the silken loops used for +stirrup; nimbly she reaches ground. Quickly the following señoritas +are at her side, while peon grooms lead away the horses. + +"Viva! Viva! The Señorita Mendoza! Viva! Viva!" + +Then from some one: "Viva! the Señorita doña's bridesmaids!" + +"Ah! Ah! Look!" cried many. + +Morando, on coal-black steed, came through the gate and slowly to the +church door. Comandante of all California he was now, promotion from +guardian of pueblo San José to post commander at Yerba Buena having +been succeeded by transfer to Monterey presidio; and, finally, came the +command of all the land forces. + +With him rode, as groomsmen, the presidio commanders of Yerba Buena, of +Monterey, of Santa Barbara, and of San Diego, and accompanied by many +caballeros. + +Señor Mendoza, now Governor Mendoza, was horsed on old Mercurio falling +into years, still peerless for speed in all the valley. Flanked by +members of his council and the junta departmental the Governor made his +way up to the church. With sweeping gesture of his bridle-rein, to the +right and to the left, he gave salute for salute to the waiting +grandees, as he passed along. + +Up the aisle, decorated with innumerable Castilian roses intertwined +with ivy, came Carmelita, on her father's arm, orange blossoms +clustered in her hand, her bridesmaids well in the lead. + +The organ swelled in notes of rejoicing. + +Directly before the señorita went two little girls, clad in white, +backing slowly altarward, as she advanced. Freshly gathered +rose-petals, handful by handful, they showered before her, making a +pathway sweetly yielding as she trod. + +Captain Morando, awaiting his bride, stood at the altar gate, in +uniform, his poncho laid aside, his brother officers attending him. + +Bride and groom knelt within the sanctuary. + +Neophyte Indian acolytes swung censers. Incense hung in the air, +tingling the nostrils with its Oriental perfume, while the many candles +glowed through the maze like burnished spear-points. + +As the clergy solemnly intoned the nuptial service, the choir, a +hundred strong, of Indian men and women touchingly gave back its +responses. The melody of Pepita's voice flooded nave and chancel, love +for her mistress the inspiration. + +An instant's pause. Every breath stilled. + +With hands upraised over bride and groom stood the officiating padre. +"Whom, therefore, God hath joined together let no man put asunder." + +Down the aisle husband and wife led bridesmaid and groomsman, governor, +council, and junta departmental. + +Muskets crashed, as they crossed the street; the multitude shouted +congratulations; the hills above them lived in medley of reiterated +acclaimings of good will. + +At the wedding breakfast words dripped like honey from the mouth of +Señor Alvarado, as he spoke of the lovely bride. Grave Castro smiled +approbation; the clever Carillo applauded; his ally, Don Pio Pico, +cried aloud, "Bon! Bon! Buena!" Even Alvarado's saturnine enemy, the +half-Sicilian, Di Vestro, clapped his hands, as the señor, the +honey-drip becoming torrential eloquence, said: "For the kiss of such a +bride as the Señora Morando, gladly would I again drive that Mexican +usurper, Micheltorena, from California soil; yes, and every follower he +has!" + +"Will you! Will you!" exclaimed the young wife, blushing at mention of +the new name. Stepping up, she kissed squarely the Señor Alvarado, her +mother's brother. + +"A challenge! A challenge!" from the guests. "The former governor at +last has found a nut he cannot crack. Aha! Alvarado, thy kinswoman is +ever quicker in retort than thou." + +The tall politician bowed gently to the Señora Doña Carmelita. + +"If you draw them hither, mi querida, no power of mine could budge them +a single inch." + +"Well said! Well said!" + +Later came the afternoon barbecue in the foothills. Dozens of beeves +were roasting in deep pits, on live-coals, the outdoor sports of early +California first whetting the appetite for the feast. + +Bonfire blazed red against crag and forest that night, as peon and +peona continued the repast, and danced the fandango to the music of +guitar, and the surprised cries of catamount and wolf. + +At the hacienda house the Señor and Señora Morando danced in the contra +danza amidst the plaudits of the lookers-on. + +Señor Mendoza, threescore and ten and one, led forth the lithe +Francesca Sanchez, and never youth tripped a lighter step than did the +governor of California at his daughter's wedding. + +Pio Pico, gallant and graceful, placed his hat on a señorita's head, +and they followed Mendoza and his partner. + +Alvarado and Castro, Pedro Zelaya and Abelardo Peralta found ladies and +joined; so did de la Barra, and Higuera, Salvador Vallejo and Nazario +Dominguez, until, as some said, California north, and south, and +center, was united, if only for the contra danza. + +Small hours found the gaiety undiminished, for midnight supper +strengthened for further dancing. Neither was one day deemed +sufficient to do adequate honor to the marriage of Carmelita Mendoza +and Comandante Morando. + +Next day the couple, the Governor Mendoza, and all friends repaired to +the hacienda house of Fulgencio Higuera, two leagues away, to dance and +to make merry till the break of another morning. + +The third day was passed with Señor Berryessa, near pueblo San José, +the following at Marco Calderon's, and so on. + +The seventh day found them entering the porte cochere of their own +home, once the residence of Colonel Barcelo, from whose gates, ere many +moons, they were to see, with rejoicing hearts, the Stars and Stripes +burst, in unending vigil, over government house, plaza and castle. + +Long years, and happy ones, they lived, and their descendants, now of +the third and fourth generation, bless their memory, and tell of the +honor, the bravery, the virtue of General Morando and his bride of +Mission San José. + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bride of Mission San José, by +John Augustine Cull + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 56355 *** |