Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Quoniam and Lanzi imi piastres in his pocket; and, moreover, ready to com- mit an act of folly?’ ai Well, I can’t say, but I fancy by seeking he could fo ” ‘* Nonsense, gossip, you are mene ig “On my word I aad née® Tranquil said, suddenly chan his tone, “ and I will prove it to you.” oc ” * You say you will sell your house for four hundred stres?”’ **Did I say four hundred ?”’ **Don’t finesse, you did.” wh ee then; I admit it; what next?” ~~ rel, will buy it, if you like.”’ “i You?” “Why not?” sae. think about it.”’ “That is done; say yes or no, take it, or leave it; perhaps I may have altered my mind in five min- utes, so decide.”’ The landlord gave the Canadian a searching glance. “I accept,” he said. “Good; but will not give you four hundred tres.’ ias pi eat much?" ae said, crying off. “re ed bie undred.”’ The la looked at him in amazement. “Tam quite ,”’ he said, ** But on one condition."’ *“* What is it?"’ “That to-morrow, so soon as the sale is completed you will mount your horse—you have one,i sup- pose?” “ Yea.” “Well, you will mount, start, and never show yourself here again. ‘Oh! you ma be quite certain on that poin *. “It’s settled then?’ “ Perfectly.” “Then let your witnesses be ready at daybreak.”’ “ They shall be.” The oonversation ended here. The travelers wra themsetves in their fressades and vara > te meg on the lumpy floor of the room, and f p; the host followed their example. As was arran between them, the landlord, a little before daybreak, saddled his horse, and went to fetch the witnesses necessary for the validity of the transaction; for this he ped to the Larch-tree hacienda returned by sunrise, ac- companied by the majordomo and seven or eight ns, Phe major-domo, the only one who could read and write, drew up the deed of sale, and, after col- lecting all the persons, read it aloud. Tranquil then took thirty-seven and a half gold onzas from his girdle, and spread them out on the table. ‘* Be witnesses, caballeros,”’ the major-domo said, | Fi addressing his audience, “that the Senor Tran- y joy has paid the six hundred piastres agreed on or the purchase of the Venta del Potrero,” ** We are witness,"’ they replied. Then all present, tbe major-domo at their head, passed into the corral behind the house. On reac it, Tranquil pulled up a tuft of grass, which he over his shoulder; then apes up 4 stone, he hurled it over the — wall: acco to the terms of Mexican law, he was now the owner. “Be witness, senores,’’ the major-domo ain spoke, “* that Senor Tranquillo, here present, has 1 y, taken possession of this estate. Dios ylib- d ’ “ Dws y libertad!" the others shouted; “long life to the new hues * All the formalities being performed, they now re- turned to the house, where Tranquil poured out bumpers for his witnesses, whom this unexpected liberality filled with delight. The ex-landlord, faithful to his agreement, pressed the buyer’s hand, mounted his horse, and went off, wishing him g luck. From that day they never heard of him again. This was the manner in which the hunter arrived in Texas, and became a landed proprietor. He left Lanzi and Quoniam at the venta with Carmela. As for himself, thanks to the patmage of the major-domo, who recommended him to his master, Don Hilario de Vaureal, he entered the Larch-tree hacienda in the capacity of tigrero or tiger-killer. Although the country selected by the hunter to | establish himself was on the confines of the Mexican border, and, for that reason, almost deserted, the vaqueros and peons cudgeled their brains for some time in trying to discover the reason which had compelled so clever and brave a hunter as the Can- adian to retire there. But all the efforts made to discover this reason, all the questions asked, re- mained without result : the hunter's comrades and himself remained dumb; as for the little girl, she knew sy At length the disappointed people gave up trying to find the explanation of this enigma, trusting to time, that great clearer-up of mysteries, to tell them at ~ the truth which was so carefully con- But weeks, months, years elapsed, and nothing raised even a corner of the hunter's secret. mela had grown an exquisite maiden, and the venta had increased the number of its customers. This border, hitherto so quiet, owing to its remote- ness from the towns and pueblos, felt the move- ment which the revolutionary ideas im to the center of the country; travelers became more fre- quent, and the hunter, who had up to this time appeared rather careless as to the future, trusting for his safety to the isolation of his abode, to grow anxious, not for himself, but for Carm who was exposed almost definitively, to the bold attempts not only of lovers,whom her beauty attracted as honey dees flies, but also to those of the ruffians, whom the troublous times had drawn out of their lairs, and who wandered about all the roads like coyotes seeking prey to devour. The hunter, wishful no longer to leave the maiden in the dangerous position into which circumstances had thrown her, was actively employed in warding off the misfortunes he foresaw; for, although it is im ble, for the present, to know what ties at- tached him to the girl who called him father, we state here that he felt a ppane esetnes ec- tion and absolute devotion for her, in which, indeed, itated him, Carmela to these three men was neither girl nor woman; she was an idol; they adored on t bended knees, and for whom they would readily have sacrificed their lives : the slightest sign it might please her to make them. A smile from Carmela rendered them happy; the slightest frown from her made them sorrowful. e must add, that although she was aware of the full extent of her power, Carmela did not abuse it, and it was her greatest joy to see herself surround- ed by these three hearts which were so entirely de- voted to her. Now that we have given these details, doubtless very imperfect, but the only ones possible, we will resume our story at the point where we left it in the penultimate chapter. CHAPTER XIV. THE CONDUCTA DE PLATA, We will now return to the caravan, which we saw leave the Potrero at sunrise, and the chief of which Carmela seemed so greatly interested. This chief was a young mano of about five-and- twenty, with delicate, dashing, and distinguished features; he wore, with supreme elegance, the brilliant uniform of a Captain of oons. Although he belo to one of the oldest and noblest families in Mexico, Don Juan Melendez de Gongora would only owe his promotion to himself; an extrao esire in a country where military honor is regarded almost as no , and where only the yo gone grades give those who hold them a ee aaa is ee — —_ of fear t of sympathy on the ° people. Still Don Juan had mall a4 his eccentric idea, and each step he won was not the result of a pronunciamento successfully carried out by any ambitious gene but of a brilliant action. Don Juan belo to that class of real Mexicans who love their country, and who, jealous of its honor, dream for it a restoration, very dif- ficult, if not impossible, to obtain. The force of virtue is 60 great, even on the most depraved natures, that Captain Don Juan Melendez de Gongora was respected by all the men who app him, even by those who loved him the east. However, the captain's virtue had not austere or ex ted about it; he was a thorough soldier, gay. © , brave as his sword, and ever ready to cp either with his arms or purse, all those, friends or foes, who had recourse to him. Such, penny and morally, was the man who commanded the caravan, and Frag his protection to the monk who rode = side. This worthy Frayle, about whom we have had al- rao 4 occasion to say a few words, deserves a de- description. Physically, he was a man about my almost as tall as he was wide, bearing a striking likeness to a set on and yet gifted with far from com- mon strength and activity; his violet nose, his huge lips, and ruddy face, gave him a jovial appearance which two little gray sunken eyes, full of fire and resolution, rendered ironical and moc ’ Morally, he was in no way dis from the majority of Mexican monks—that is to say, he was ignorant as a carp, prone to drinking, a onate lover of the fair sex, and superstitiousin the highest degree; but for all that, the best companion in the world, at home in all society, and always able to raise a laugh. What singular accident could have brought him so faron the border? This no one knew or cared for, as every one was aware of the vagabond humor of Mexican monks, whose life is constantly passed in roaming from one place to the other, without ob- ject, and generally without interest, but simply at the dictates of caprice. At this od, Texas, joined to another province, formed a State called Texas and Cohahuila. The party commanded by Don Juan de Melendez left Nacogdoches eight days previously, bound for Mexico; but the captain, in accordance with the in- structions he received, left the a road, inun- dated at that moment with bands of brigands of every description, and made a long circuit to avoid certain ill-famed gorges of the Sierra de San Saba. He would still have to cross that. range; but on the side of the t prairies, that is to say at the spot where the plateaux, gradually descen , do not of- fer those variations of landscape which are so dan- gerous to travelers. The ten mules the captain escorted must be loaded with very precious merchandise, for the Federal Government—seecing the small number of troops it had in the State—to have resol¥ed on having it convoyed by forty dragoons under an officer of Don Juan’s reputation, whose presence, under existing circumstances, would have been highly necessary, not to say indispensable, in the interior of the State, in order to ety revolutionary attempts, and keep the inhabitants in the path of ~an In fact, the merchandise was v valuable; these ten mules rted three ons of piastres, which would assuredly be a grand winfall for the in- a if they fell into their hands. The time was left far behind, when, under the rule of the ee Spanish borne at the head of a train of fifty or sixty mules laden with gold, was sufficient to protect a conducta de plata effectually, and enable it to traverse, without the slightest risk, the whole width of Mexico, so great was the terror inspired by the mere name of Spain. Now, it was not one hundred, or sixty mules; but ten, which forty resolute men seemed hardly suffi- cient to protect. The government considered it advisable to employ the greatest prudence in sending off this conducta which had long been expected at Mexico. The eatest silence was maintained as to the hour and of de re, and the road it would follow. he es were made so as to conceal, as far as possible, the nature of the merchandise carried; the mules sent off one by one, in open day, only under the protection of the arriero, joined, fifteen leagues from the town, the escort which had been encamped for more than a month, under some plausible ex- ort in an ancient presidio, All had, therefore, been foreseen and calculated with the greatest care and intelligence to get this proteus merchandise in safety to its destination; he arrie the 1% pose who knew the value of their load, would be careful not to speak about it, for the little they possessed for the safety of their fre risk of being utterly robbed on the road. The conducta advanced in the most excellent order, to = — of ~- Nena’s — the at why sung gayly to their mules, ng them on by thi terhel Arrea, Mula! ekg ys The pennons fastened to the long lances of the dragoons fluttered in the morning breeze, and the captain listened idly to the monk's chatter, while at intervals taking a searching glance over the deserted plain. ““Come, come, Fray Antonio,"’ he said to his stout companion, *‘ you can no longer regret having set out at so early an hour, for the morning is mag- nificent, and ae te forebodes a pleasant day.’ “Yes, yes,"’ the other replied with a laugh; “thanks to Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, honor- able captain, we are in the best possible state for trave . “Well, I am glad to find you in such good spirits, for I feared lest the rather sudden waking this morning might have stirred up your bile.”’ 39 acious, honorable captain!" he re- lied, with feigned humility; ‘“‘we unworthy mem- _— of the church must submit without murmuring to all the tribulations which it pleases the Lord to send us; and besides, life is so short, that it is bet- ter only to look at the bright side, not to lose in vain regret the few moments of joy to which we can lay claim.” “Bravo! that is the sort of philosophy I like; you are a good companion, re. I hope we shall travel together for a long while.” ‘That depends a little on you, Senor Captain.” “ Well. os the directs following eg on the on you propose fo "bid ‘*Hum |!” Don Juan said; “‘and pray where may you be going, Senor Padre?”’ This old fashioned tactic of answering one ques- tion by another, is excellent, and nearly anvege suc- ceeds. This time the monk was caught; t, in accordance with the habit of his b ren, his an- swer was as it was meant to be, evasive. “Oh, I?" he said with affected carelessness; “all roads are pretty nearly the same to me; my gown assures me, wherever chance bends my steps, pleasant faces and h reception.” “That is true; hence I am — at the ques- tion you asked me an instant - * Oh, it is not worth troubling yourself about, honorable captain. I should feel agonized at having annoyed you, hence I humbly beg you to pardon me bh was made responsible t, and they ran the if their mules were ** You have in no way annoyed me, Senor Padre. I have no reason for concealing the road I purpose following; this recua of mules I am escorting docs not affect mein any way, and I propose leaving it to-morrow or the day after." The monk could not restrain a start of surprise. “Ah!” he said, as he looked searchingly at the speaker. “Oh yes,” the captain continued inan easy tone, “*these worthy men be me to accompany them for a few days, through fear of the gavillas in- fest the roads: they-have, it appears, valuable mer- cane with them and would not like to be plun- aac understand; it would not be at all pleasant for em,”’ ‘““ Would it? Hence I did not like to refuse them the slight serviee which took me only a little way out of my road; but so soon as they consider themselves in safety, I shall leave them and enter the prairie, in accordance with the instructions I have received, for you know that the Indios bravos are stirring.”’ ‘** No, I was not aware of it,”’ ‘* Well, in that case, I tell it you; thereisa mag- nificent opportunity that presents itself to you, Padre Antonio, and * ine must not neglect it.” “A magnificent opportunity for me?’ the monk repeated, in amazement; ‘“‘ what opportunity, hon- orable captain?” “For preaching to the Infidels, and teaching them the d as of our Holy Faith,’’ he replied, with im- perturbable coolness. ‘ At this abrupt proposal the monk madea frightful ace. ** Deuce take the opportunity !"’ he exclaimed,sna ping his fingers; ‘I will leave that to other asses! at ee! Sag car ee i mart el “* As you please re; still you are hg ‘**That is possible, honorable captain, bah isan me if I accompany you near those pagans; in two days I shall leave you.” mag as ane ‘Why, I suppose that since you are going onto the prairie, you will leave the recua of mules you are escorting at the Rancho of San Jacinto, which is the extreme point of the Mexican possessions on the desert border.” “It is probable.” ‘*Well, I will go on with the muleteers; as allithe dangerous passes will then have been left behind, I shall have nothing to fear, and shall continue my journey in the most agreeable way possible.” “Ah,"’ the captain said to him, with a piercing lance; but he was unable to continue this conversa- OR, which seemed highly interesting to him, for a horseman galloped up at full speed from the fror*, stopped before him, and stooping to his ear, whis- pered a few words. The captain looked scrutinizingly round him, drew himself up in the saddle, and addressed the soldicr: “Very good. How many are they!” “Two, captain.”’ ‘*Watch them, but do not let them suspect they are prisoners; on arriving at the halting ground I will Pp ny ee them. Rejoin your comrades.” The soldier bowed respectfully without reply, and went off at the same speed he had come up, Captain Melendez had fora long time accustomed his subordinates not to discuss his orders, but obey them unhesitatingly. We mention this fact because it is excessively rare in Mexico, where military discipline is almost a nullity, and subordination unknown. Don closed up the ranks of the escort, and ordered them to hurry on. The monk had seen with secret alarm the confer- ence between the officer and the soldier, of which he was unable to catch a word. When the captain, after attentively watching the execution of his or- Gomicbooks (Ele)