The Valiant Runaways

liant

silk sash that was knotted about his waist, his cambric shirt open at the throat as if pulled impatiently apart

ilver spurs on the pavement. On all sides the vast Rancho Los Palos Verdes cleft the horizon: Don Mateo Castanada was one of the wealthiest grandees in the Californias, and his sons could gallop all day without crossing the boundary line of their future possession

ight the length of the rancho in search of a pet colt that had strayed; and he had once defended the women of the family single handed against a half dozen savages until reinforcements had arrived. Moreover, the stories of American warfare which he had managed to read, despite the prohibition of the priests, had stirred his soul and fired his blood. But army life in California! It meant languishing in barracks, hoping for a flash in the pan between two rival houses, or a possible revolt against a governor.

rry-Roldan sniffed audibly; the other lay in flight and

shout with the vaqueros at rodeo, to be the first at the games and the races, to wear his silken clothes and lace ruffles, and eat the delightful dishes his mother's cooks prepared! And then he was a very high-spirited young gentleman. Although the same obedience, almost reverence, was exacted of him by his parents that was a part of the household religion in California, yet as the youngest child, who had been d

if they did not know where he was they could not be held accountable. His blood tingled at the presentiment of the adventures he should have in that perilous journey through a country of which he knew nothing beyond his fath

raided the pantry, he went out to the corral, saddled his horse and packed the saddle bags, wound his lariat

led to him: "Ay, Don Roldan, where do you go?" or, "The little senor chooses a hot day for his ride." But he excited no curiosity. Like all California

; Don Esteban, a silk handkerchief knotted about his head, reclining in a long chair beside his wife, a stout woman, coffee-coloured with age, attired in a dark silk gown flowered

capital or on other ranches, were kind to their younger brother, but not companionable. Therefore, when Roldan galloped into sight, he gave a shout of joy

nterrupting Adan's voluble hospitality.

, y

riend of Roldan Castanada. So-I fly. Do you understand?-and you go with me. We will dodge these servants of a tyrant government the length and breadth of the Californias. When the danger is over for this year we will retu

t Roldan never failed to carry the day. He was a born leader. Adan's was the will that ben

ith a broad, good-natured face, his attire was also unmarked by the extreme elegance which always characterised Roldan. I

are right. You always are. And so clever! I will go.

Roldan cared little for girls at any time, and to-night was doubly abstracted, his ear straining at every distant hoof-beat. He re

phlegmatic friend, "than that sergeant, should h

d by a high wall, and the gate was barred with iron; but they managed to remove the bars without noise, sa

and struck inland. The air was now of an agreeable warmth; the full moon was so low and

into mere flecks dropping here and there through the thick interlacing boughs of the giant trees. Those boughs were a hundred feet and more above

awesome. At night one hears but the rush of the mountain torrent, th

d Adan, suddenly. "Thi

olly. "These forests have many 'griz

should we

ll him,

u ever s

ev

are very large, my frien

et. I like to hear

s you have, Roldan.

-hu

Roldan!

neighing pitifully. Adan gave a

es have begun

on his hind legs and swinging his forepaws goodnaturedly, was an immense

"He could follow faster and the horses would fall. To the left!

plunged into the thicket. Only the bold skill of the riders saved them from pitching sidewi

less than a moment the boys saw him lumbering along above the

he will come down and meet us somewhere. We shall be lo

ed roses, which would make a bull sweat, would hang like tapestry in the houses of Spain. Those hide boots,

f the grizzly even raises his paw and slaps th

not be s

tbrier, fragrant lilac petals falling in a shower about them, great ferns trodden and

mbled and would have gone headlong had not his

tly, and who liked horses less when they stood on their hind legs. "Is it the be

s on his hands and knees. In

saved,"

? W

and deep and round. Did you put

good

aw

es

e-quick. Do n

the meat, then

trap?" h

Come this way, befo

was greeted by a growl like rising thunder, and almost simultaneously the huge unwieldy form of the bear hurled itself down through the brush. The boys held their breath. Even Roldan felt a singing in his ears. But the grizzly, without pausing to ascertain his bearings, went down into the hole at a leap. He made on

ir horses, which also seemed to appreciate t

to the trail the bear had discovered. "You will make a f

st they were to see o

I

ranch house in a valley. The white walls were pink under the first streamers of the mor

deep sigh. "Sleep and a hot breakf

een collapsing and digging his knuckl

pproached the verandah, the door opened and a stout smili

ied. "But you are early v

script," said Roldan. "

in, come in. The house is yours, my sons. Burn it if you will. Tired? Here. Go in and get

eir afternoon chocolate, and impatient with curiosity. There were no girls to criticise the dilapidated garments-which the kind hostess had men

n were made we

"This is my wife, Dona Theresa, and these are my sons, Emili

ho Los Palos Verdes, and this is my frie

s welcome before. Sit down while I go and see if the big

ntures, continuing them over the steaming dish of stew. When he reached the poin

ave a fight with a bull. You are rested, no? As s

e present, eagerly consented. An hour later Don Emilio, Don Jorge, the four lads, and three vaque

eet with a vast roar, his eyes as green and glittering as marsh lights. In a moment a lasso had flown over his head and he was on his back. But his formidable legs were not to be encountered rashly. Each was lassoed in turn, also his back; then his huge lunging body was dragged up the side of the excav

ten it on a second's notice. Following were Don Jorge and Don Emilio, then the two other young torch bearers. Thus was poor Bruin carried ignominiously out of the forest where he had been lord, to perform

e, and he flung himself against the earth walls of the corral until they quivered with the impact. The horse

the corral, and by means of a ladder mounted the wall and stood on the broad summit. At a signal from Don Emili

and rushed at the bull. The latter, off guard for the moment, and struggling for his lost breath, was hurled on his back. He rolled over quickly, but before he could gather his legs under him, the bear sat himself squarely upon the heavy flanks. The bull

th their personal property, but Roldan and Adan felt that the bear was their menagerie, and that their honou

ed Carlos. "T

shook himself feebly, and was once more boxed into unconsciousness. The side of his face wa

Ay! thou wert so beautiful, so elegant, thy sleek sides like the satin of Dona Theresa-an

his spinal cord, then rose and swung himself round the enclosure with the arrogant mien of

he cried. "It was not a fair fi

d the same chance at the first. If you are n

other like two fighting cocks. They pommelled for several minutes, then locked their arms about each other and wen

? A misstep-" The words ended in a hoarse gurgle. Dona Theresa shrieked. Adan and Carlos so

e bear stood upon his hind legs and opened his

ed Benito. "He

hug us to death-that is, if he gets us-which

was suggesting a different measure. On the opposite wall and in the branches of a neighbour

ck. He should have carried it along the wall and placed it behind the boys. Instead, it descended several

o. "Lasso the bull and drag him to

vertheless. The vaquero swung again. This time the rope caught the horns, was tightened by a quick turn, and the carcass went thudding across the yard. The bear gave a f

pitable to fight my

motions. "It is I who should have had my ears boxed by the bear for insulting my host,

and dulces which her cook had prepared in honour of the event. Excitement and good will reigned; even Don Jose had forgiven the young offenders, and they all talked at once, at the top of their voices, as fast as they could ra

to the wall of the corral to pot the bear. It was agreed that each shoul

l. Don Jose gave the signal. Twenty-two shots were fired. The bear gave a roar which awoke the ech

ncing that only two Indian servants had mis

you see anything? Are

house. A bend of the trail traversed a clearing. In this o

Roldan. He ran

soldiers," he called up to Don Jose

is plenty of time. In a moment those men will be in the forest again and can see noth

six fresh horses, and ordered the hou

ich I defy anyone to find," said Don Jose. "If there

Adan consulted together. At the end of a

I will go one way, your sons another. That will put them o

erturbed and busy. "A vaquero will go w

as little as he fancied the somnolent life of a barrack, and Adan,

said, and Roldan and Adan, followed by many good wishes, and

atmosphere was damp and the long strip of sky was like a pale-blue banner. The trail was well worn, and there was nothing to impede their progress. The mustangs responded to t

ground is so hard they cannot tell which you take. Cross the river and take the trail to the left. That will bring you to the Mission-about twenty miles farther-where the good padres will let you rest and give you fresh horses

," said Adan. "I feel as if we nev

chill of the immense solitude. "And we have begun well! Wha

ossed h

behind them. Every half hour they paused, and Roldan, dismount

honeydew of the chaparral. The sun set in a great

nd held up his hand. "I hear the rush of the

Adan. "It has rained hard this mon

ke them.

med Adan, not ma

swollen almost level with the high banks. The tumultuous waters were racing as if Neptune astride them w

d his lids suddenly, and when his friend met the glance that grew between them he c

this side. If they followed, they would never suspect us of crossing.

ell," s

e to hurt horses," said the young don, "but he's got to go." He clapped his spurs sav

er was very cold, but the boys scarcely felt it. Their eyes were strained toward the opposite shore, measuring the distance, which seemed to grow less very slowly.

rent lashed them about more than once, but they righted, sh

yards of the shore. Adan, having the stronger beast, was some little distance ahead. He did not observe it. He was registering a v

Was the poor brute collapsing? Roldan leaned over and patted his neck. It responded for a moment, then fell back again. Roldan set hi

s back. The log struck the beast full in the side, tossing Roldan as if he had bee

struck out for the bank. But the current was too much for his sle

da

s head, uttered a cry, and pulled his unwilling mustang about. But

oldan manag

. He unwound the lariat rapidly from the pommel, hastily gathered the loops, then flung it with sure hand straight

pite his double load, made them, and scrambled up the bank. Adan, realising for the first time that he was stiff with cold, scrambled off and pulled in the rope with hands that were aching and almost numb.

adventures?" asked Ada

esent," sa

d, "this will never do. We shall both hav

trees was near, and in a quarter of an hour they had piled a heap of branches and chaparral as h

re, then raced up and down with what energy was left in them to scotch the chill nig

ldan. "That Mission is twenty miles away, and I for one can't w

aid Adan, "when my

allen upon reaching the shore but had risen to nibble for supper, and stood on the tips of his

the bags. "The bread and sweets are soaked," he said, "not fit for a

re, and over this they scorched the meat. As they crouched on the ground they lo

," said Roldan, "or we shall be eaten b

"I hear one." Both boy

he

the

a series of graceful loops. A long neck slowly lifted itself and two baleful eyes fixed upon Roldan. He raised his pistol, and the rattler was beheaded as neatl

upper," said Adan, gleefully. "Here, let

d of with many grumblings, the rattlesnake was skinn

, set fire to it that beasts and reptiles should keep their distance, then lay down and slept. Roldan was always a light sleeper, and with the fire on his mind awoke every few hours and gathered fresh chaparral or roused

sh and vigorous-but also hungr

and Adan shuddered at the mere thought. They cooked a small piece of me

is to get to the Mission as quickly as possible. Chocol

stang. It was agreed that they should ride hi

rom right to left, but encountering eyes neither malignant nor savage. Shortly after he mounted the horse the mist lifted and rolled back to the ocean. They had left the chaparral some time before and no

re those horses? You

e cried. "What luck! I hate walking. They are probabl

Adan, grimly. "My thumb nearly went o

I haven't mentioned it; but it is because-well-I lay awake an hour last night trying to

in a minute as we did at the Hacienda Perez; and I think that we are ge

ow I should like to know some American boys. They mu

ked him many questions. He says they never show any feeling except when they get mad, and that they walk and row and play ball-wit

lasso a friend in the midst of a boiling river as you did. And if they come here to laugh at us they'll find one pair of

Adan, soothingly. "Ay, I think those ho

cord about eighteen feet in length and made of tough strips of untanned hide. It was an admirable weapon in skilled hands, but no

cted them was apparently of an eccentric build they suddenly paused and scattered. Roldan raised the bridle

Roldan, reining in. "Q

dan waddled after, far in the rear. The other horses had fled to the four winds, but the pursued, occasionally ducking his head and kicking up his hind legs as if in contempt of the pretensions of mere man, made straight for the hills. Being undisciplined, however, he got over the ground clumsily, stumbled once or twice in the wide cracks of the adobe soil, and finally stopped short for want of wind. He swung about and glared defiantly at his pursuers out of injected eyes. He had never se

ng gentleman had secured the lariat to the high pommel of his saddle in a tric

he but increased his own discomfort, he gradually subsided, and when Roldan

own on a stone to rest, and when it reached him he obeyed or

approvingly. "I could see it all; but I t

able to touch the beast, who was sulky, cross, and frightened. When he did he swiftly loosened the lariat, and this procu

to go over backward, then suddenly stiffened all four legs and sprang up and down as automatically as if worked by a spring. Roldan was now in his element. He had broken in more

it was well that he had, for his quarry made a sudden dash and did not stop

t, Adan shouting: "Bravo! Bra

d himself conquered, and the boys sought out the trail, fro

not to say tired. If it had been ten miles instea

inter. Once they paused, and tethering the horses where they could feed, shot several quail and roasted them. But the pangs of hunger w

g the building adjoining the church, several figures in habit and cowl walked slowly behind the arches. Indians were in the vineyards and orchards and movi

e approaching hoof-beats they paused in their walk, and shading

d up to the corridor. The boys dismounted and made a deep reverenc

torn and unkempt, and one of you has ridden many leagues without a saddle. Are you run

her," he added, "but from the government; and we have arranged tha

wed its existence mainly to the vanity of governors and generals, and the pr

eny your presence; but I do not think they will find their way here, a

could eat

a hasty luncheon was prepared. An Indian came and took the mustangs, and the boys were led by the hospitab

try; and any news of the outer world was very welcome. They pushed back their hoods and sat about the boys, their faces beaming with interest and amusement as they listened to

word. The priests had tactfully withdrawn. Roldan and Adan ate enough beans, rice, cold chicken, tongue, and dulces to make up for their prolonged fast, and finished with a cup of chocolate and

for a few moments. Roldan, whose eyes were very keen, and, during these days, preternaturally sharpened, noted that several of the Indians were whispering under cover of the loud mutterings about them. The face of the Ca

e mountains beyond were lost under a purple mist. The large stone fountain in the court splashed lazily. As the w

He ate of the fine grapes and pears, then rose and opened his door. In the small room beyond a young priest was seated at a tabl

sked Roldan, curiously,

sic, the latter written with equal precision and neatness. "This will be alive when I am not ev

is first prompting of ambition. "But I never could do that; I h

e," said the youn

ans docile?" asked

ed his head. "W

ated his s

glance through the open

or posterity to wonder at, but as for the Indians we will end where we began. They are always escaping and running back to the mountains. Their every instinct is for barbarism; they have not one for civilization, nor can any be planted who

; but tell me, do you

t influence with the other Indians. A good many of them are angry at present because they have been punished for stealing grapes and stores, and just now they

u soldie

square. But what could they do in an uprising? We must get

d room. A half dozen soldiers were lying about on benches, half-dressed, smoking the eternal cigarrito. Two were at a table writing. None looked alert, but as Roldan passed out

al of the uncurtained windows and saw whole families peacefully asleep. Suddenly he paused and held his breath, at the same time retreating into the heavy shade of a willow. A number of door

y of saving the Mission which had shown him hospitality, and was not to

ubdued murmur. The window had been covered, but a thin ray of light pi

ely to be Anastacio. He was big and clean-limbed and sinewy, with small cunning eyes, a resolute mouth and chin, and an ai

es conveyed. He shook his fist in the direction of the Mission, snapped his fingers in scorn, pointed toward the m

on. A friar was locking up for the night, and began to chide the youn

-night?" he asked. "I must

ll take your message; and he never de

rridor and tapped at a door.

s will see y

little altar in the corner of

you learned anything new? Padre Este

he had seen. The priest's fa

smiled suddenly. "You ran away to avoid fighting. It

ave misunderstood. I do not choose to be shut up in a barrack against my will, but I am ready to fight;

se you. And your part shall beg

wanted no more s

a dozen or more figures gliding about the rancheria, that will mean that they are plotting, and intend no action to-night. If you see several hundred, run down and bring me word. But if you see a mass of men rise at once and descend upon the west gate, ring the bel

n he jerked his shoulders, reflected that cowards did not carry off the prizes of the world, and determined that his first should be the admiration and approval of the priests and soldiers of this great Mission. He walked rapidly down the nave, trying not to hear the

es of the great bells carried far. Just beneath the arch Roldan had selected as observatory, and on the side opposite the pla

quarters; but in the rancheria there was no motion but the swaying tops of the

nct had been aroused and he burned for fight, his spirit grew graver in that isolation, and he resolved to do all he could to save the Mission

Roldan was to

the corral. A few moments later he reappeared, leading a mustang up the valley in the shadow of th

go down," he said, smiling. "I am going to ring for ma

thi

t, and slept. It tak

ey any w

s thought it best to leave them those

he church during mass, and knelt near the altar by a pillar where he could command a view of the nave. Almost the first to enter was Anas

entered and knelt in the aisle. Padre Flores' garments were as rich as any worn in old Spain, and the candelabra about him were as massive. The images of the saints were

mostly sleepy. Suddenly, as his glance shifted, it encountered the eyes of

ts were diplomatic. He glanced past the Indian indifferently to the women, then to the prie

ountered Adan, who evidently had e

last night?" Ada

oaming about the square," replied Rold

and I went into your cell, and then spent the

akfast is r

h; there were Indian servants present. After breakfast the two boys walked up and down the middle of the

culated. "Is ther

f it. Are yo

ians than ford a river. But

But that Anastacio suspects me, and doubtless he has discovered in some way that the messenger has gone. I am sure there will be trouble

d begun. But he saw only a typical Mission Sabbath afternoon. Several hundred Indians were seated on the ground in groups of two or three, gam

, then sought Padre Flores. The priest was in his cell,

something in the air tells me that there wi

l, my

ians are advancing on the south gate, the one nearest the rancheria. But they are crafty, and will doubtless seek to enter by

ther," said R

wn and join in the fight. The arms will be kept in the room where we sat yesterday until your meal was made ready. Now go, my son, and God bless y

t the valley, still talking excitedly; but there was nothing unusual in this, the watcher had been told. Gradually

of every window were ajar. Roldan felt the nervous tension of those minds below, and with it

his eyes. Something was moving in the willows beside the river. The moon shone full on the rancheria, and

ny doubt: a broad compact something was moving down the valley towa

urse was not yet defined. When within a hundred yards of the Mission they

could now be seen; it was crawling close to the western wall. In a few moments they were beneath Roldan; he could hear the slight impact with the air

k the north gate; but Roldan dared not ring until they were well away f

m. When the tail of the procession had whisked about and Roldan saw a compact mass move like a black clou

hear no other sound except the deafening uproar in his ears. Suddenly something gave way beneath his feet. He had an awful feeling of disintegration, of solid parting from solid in empty space. He kicked out wildly. His feet touched nothing. Then his head suddenly clea

moniacs and battering at the gate. In the garden on the other side, the old priest was shouting Ave Marias in a high quavering voice. A breeze had sprung up and Roldan felt the

a slackening of the rope, accompanied by a faint s

e projecting floor of the belfr

g. It was almost as if he were sauntering. Nor was he tumbling over and over. He had shut his eyes tight when the rope snapped. He opened them, gave a shudde

omprehended the situation, with his abnormally sharpened se

e, firearms in hand. Beyond were some twenty-five Indians battering and yelling, making noise enough to induce the belief that t

arment, and ran toward the north gate. As he did so the east gate

he man nearest him and pointed. In a second the word had passed, and the handful of defendants stared helplessly at the advancing hordes. But only for a moment. Padre Fl

e missionaries he paused

" he commanded, and

d Padre Flor

the stores of the Mission-all your great winter supply, except a small quantity which we will leave you that you may not suffer until you can get more. We are tired of this life. We belong to the mountains. We

re not warlike, and if no bodily harm was int

not mean to kill. I agree to your terms on one condition: that we retain our firearms. I pass my word that n

ll I ask is that you remain here under charge o

Mission and packed the trove on horses which had been brought up, or on the backs of the bigger

r of the morning had chilled their enthusiasm, and Roldan, moreover, began to feel reaction from the shock to his nerves. I

hren, the soldiers, and servants. As Roldan and Adan were about to enter, the door was suddenly pulled to, coarse hands were clapped over their mouths, and, kicking, struggli

cue. We shall not hurt you unless you try to run away. The

oldan, indifferently

ry well. C

orse, then mounted behind an

tered rapidly down the valley,

I

forest of huge trees on the side of a mountain. High above the wind was surging. He had a curious sense of travelling through the depths of

we?" he ask

n a redwood forest.

tains? Wha

u will n

e is

between two faithful

essary. He woul

the white man lies and

head had rested against t

be more comfortable for us both. That is, if

you. Ge

ding procession. Occasionally a coyote yapped or a wildcat yelled. Suddenly something fell against his face, pricking it g

Anastacio; "but w

hoofs. The air was thick with snow-stars glittering under the full radiance of the moon. Roldan forgot that he was a captive. His mind had made its first impulse to the mysteries of night and solitude during the few moments between his entry into anoth

tops, knit together by centuries and storms. All was black agai

would be governor of the Californias, and make himself a good and great man, wiser than th

"We are here. It is a pueblo of

e, crowded with dilapidated hovels, white under a light fall of snow. It was in the heart of the Sierras, on the flat of a peak; and high on every side reared other peak

he cold and fatigue of night travel out of his body. In a few moments they were joi

t remember-if you attempt to escape yo

host was out of hearing. "But this was more than we

temptuously. "But as we started out for adventure we must take black bread with white. I thin

ely to happen?" ask

? But if worst comes to worst we'll run away-and

dan, emphatically. "We

over coals, and a slice of Mission cake, then were

aid. "It is my hut. I s

I

ation, had developed an aristocratic taste or two. He slept by the door, but when the boys awoke he was not there. The pueblo, but for two sentinels standing before the door, was apparently deserted. The sun w

ll-fights, lazy caballeros lying in hammocks smoking cigarritos, or dancing th

m famished. Do you suppose they

ese dogs to be good enough to give us breakfast-no,

of the sentinels, who approac

young don, curtly. "We

d took out four meal cakes, which he carried

d the others?" asked R

e tema

he cried. "We have always wanted to see Indians in

t for you, senor, we, t

in whom servility had been planted by civilisation, yielded to the w

aperture in the roof of each. Near by was a broad creek to which the bank sloped gently from the clearing. The creek, some three feet deep, murmured over coloured stones and sprouting trees. The long fine strands of the ice grass trailed far over t

g in those thing

y could see nothing, so dense was the smoke; but when much had rushed out through the new opening, they saw two prostrate figures

losed the door, "I am glad they like i

r any great exertion-Mission raiding, for instance-and they also fancy it drags every humour out

orning, not a wreath wandering into the aisles of the forest. The sun climbed higher, melting the light fal

ing pebbles at the darting trout

e shall run into the soldiers. Of course they

Mission food gives out; but I'd prefer even

Presently came another, then another, and another, until the bright rocks were covered with dusky forms, the heads bobbing just above the surface, supported on stump or stone. The boys barely recog

fter the temascal. And in a little time the smell of roast meat pervaded the morning, great cakes were roasting. The boys were invited to eat apart with Anastacio. At the conclusion of the meal the host, who

keeping us f

igarrito-one of the padre's

f you give us up, all our adventures, our dangers, our esca

eyes to Roldan's wit

tion is over. Then I will get a big sack of Mexican dollars, a herd of cattl

n exp

hick skin. "Good. I will doub

on will be over

e. Of course the soldiers are behind. I h

iscipline of the pueblo was only relaxed for three hours in the afternoon, during which time the Indians were given full taste of the freedom they coveted that they might battle for it the more passionately when the time came. They gambled, slept, shot game in the forest, exercised the horses, which were in corral about a mile from the camp. The boys shot deer with Ana

, Anastacio determined to go down to the river in the valley for a fortnight's sa

eks, and the river was not more than half full; and it was very quiet. They camped on the bank, well away from the scattered groups of trees, that they might not lose a ray of sunshine; and Roldan and Adan forgot that they were

The chances of escape seemed to grow less daily. It was true that he was in no danger, that he would eventually be restored to his parents-but with his adventures cut short. He was fond of his home, but it was always there, and he was keen for variety: his life had been very uneventf

it?" he

ste

t later he was erect again. He caught Roldan by one shoulder and Adan by th

e here in an hour. There are ten miles between us and the mountains

citement. "I have a plan," he cried. "Yo

nt eyes close above the young Sp

e said. "I

id Roldan. "Bri

, and an immense carreta

head and tie each firmly. The tide is running toward the enemy

forty of the quicker Indians rapidly manipulated the straw, and in little more than ten minutes had cast a hundred round compact bundles into the hurrying tide. As they sailed away th

nastacio, "to

minutes before they heard a sharp volley of musketry, and if their breath had not been short they would have laughed aloud at the success of Roldan's strategy.

hold converse with, although he allowed Adan to sun himself in his presence. "By that time, too, I shall know their

ourse I cannot fight my own people; but I don't want t

u much. You give me the word of the California d

do. That is to say, I promise not to

said Anastacio, curtl

em to the outskirts of the forest. The enemy was marching steadily across the valley. After a time they halted, and lay down for a time. Early in the afternoon they resumed march, th

ion. One buried itself in the jugular of the foremost scout, and he huddled down among the soft leaves without a cry. The other, equally well aimed, entered the shoulder of the second scout, where it quivered violently for a few seconds, then was torn forth and fl

acio; "and when I am ready they will fight,

note-book that a relative

the chief; and

the eight oak trees and the two madronos. Do you wish to fight

STA

as a python, and pinned it high on an outstanding redwood, then re

nastacio calle

much? And the white men, they have better brains than mine. I watch to-night. Wil

an, enthusiasticall

atter

denly, one of the sentinels returned with the news that the paper had been taken from the tree

dians were comparatively safe until morning; nevertheless, Anastacio was too good a general to relax vigilance. When night came he and the two boys went down the mountain and sen

side, their gaze directed s

ou could stay in these mountains until the

to their good father; and we will drive the priests out of the country, and make the hidalgos, the caballeros, the soft silk-dressed donas our friends or our slaves-as they wish. California belongs to us. The Great Spirit put us here, not the white man. If it was for them why

ness that the soul of an expiring race had opened its lips for a brief moment, "you are far more clever

ate? Was I happy at the Mission? Not for one moon, senor. I felt as if I had a wild beast chained in me that choked and panted for the free life of my youth, of my fathers. I ran away from the Mission twenty-three times-and was brought back and flogged. Many times I would have crushed my head with a

comfortable houses and clothes than you have in your

w of fine bread and thin wine and heavy shoes and cursed bags about our legs we should not want them. Padre Flores says

of that night, and meditated upon the strange workings of the human mind: the fundamental phi

e must progress, gr

another for you. Should the white man have many children and children's children until all the mountains and valleys of California are his, then will all the Indians die, even though they are treated w

ans to you, become powerful enough to live in the way you like best, and I hope you will. Why should men say: 'I am better than you; I will make you like myself?' How do we know? I have ridden like the wind, and coliared a

ns decreed by Nature to stand apart from the beginn

p of a great chief. California is a fair land. Others will come to it besides the Spaniard.

ght," exclaimed Rold

ys?" asked A

"I sleep. Awake me wh

upon the fateful morrow. They agreed to remain close together, out of sight of the enemy

range, his assumption of meditated treachery was confirmed. A rising wind had set the young redwoods in motion. Before long the practised eye of Captain Mesa saw an increased agitation among the feathery branches, his ear caught a slight crackling. His men were flat on the ground. He stood in the shadow of a

the expected order: two hundred muskets, carbines, and fli

a hollow square, and ordered them to discharge their arrows from a recumbent position. Owing to the heavy shadows, the aim of the Californian

ueblo. The balls did more serious damage, and several Indians rolled groaning down the slope. The rest were undaunted. Th

on the north and south ends of Anastacio's square-after making a detour and advancing from a distance-when the boys shouted a warning. In a moment arrows were flying to right and left; and the answering volley was far more deadly than the effects of firing up hill. The Indians stood their ground, fitting thei

he afternoon that Roldan passed his hand across his burning

I saw him shake f

dios! Shal

hands. I am sorry for Anastacio-but Dios de mi alma!-to see a brave Spanish officer

dy-but-do you notice

only one end. But I must see it thr

he cool imperturbability of the earlier part of the day had fled with their arrows. Anastacio fought like a tiger. Despite his wounded thigh he stood firmly on his feet, snatched the musket from a man his hands had throttled, and whirled it about his head, threatening death to all that approached. His face was swollen with passion, his eyes were starting from their sockets, hi

part? A moment later they gave a hoarse gurgling cry and clung together, shaking like children in icy water. The head of Anastacio rose

in the direction of the pueblo, and when they were finally obliged to sit d

neither spoke of what for a long while

re very tired. We can rest there a few days, then take two of the horses-we can do nothing without horses-and s

y are soft, and that oven makes good cakes. I hope the Indi

the mountain forest, and before two hours had passed they were groping their way along the narrow road cut through the dense brush, and clinging to each othe

forest. Both boys had a vision of deep beds and hot suppers on the ranchos of their respective parents, but they shut their teeth and raided the larder. There they found we

oke Roldan violent

s!" he whisp

n the wall of the hut and the shrunken hide which formed the door. A

d come back to this place. Surely it was, as I said, more natur

us than of a long walk at night. Wherever they are, we find them. Th

"Come," he said; "follow me, and run as if you wer

he boys had a good start, and plunged into narrow ways where horses could not follow; and doubling, twisting, following paths but recently beaten by Anastacio in pursuit of deer, Roldan and Adan were soon far beyond the reach or ken of the men of war. It was an hour, however, before they t

sper at length. "When I am back on

in your sleep. When I am governor you will be generalissimo of a

e going to do now? How shall we get horses to leave this forest? Where shall we sl

't, my friend.

have nothing to shoot game with. Other people have gone the day without food, and we can. When we get back to the pueblo, even if we cannot reach the larder, we can find the corral without being seen

ch or twig for a hundred and fifty feet. Through the green close arbours above came an occasional rift of sunshine, but the aisles were full of cold green light. The boys shivered in their coyote skin coats and drew close together; they dared not run about to keep warm

ling but acquiescent, got to his feet a

ling side for a mile or more before it thinned sufficiently for egress. Frequently they heard the deadly rattle, and more than once the near cry of a panther, but there was nothing to do but push on. Precautions would have availed them nothing, and there was no refuge nearer than

Roldan, who dared not speak lest his voi

n announced with what em

are

t I think I hear the creek. When we find th

uth," muttered Adan. "

an, with a lofty scorn which was

looked gratefully up at the broad strip of night light. After the dense sha

account of the ferns and brush," said Roldan. "We should walk three time

heumatism? My teeth clack

. By the grace of Mary we shall be on horseback all day to-morrow. The water

of one foot into the icy water, withdrew it with a shout, tried the other; then seeing that Roldan was splashing far ahead, jumped in with both feet and ran along the slippery rocks, wondering when the change of temperature would occur. His teeth clattered loudly. He pull

meeting trees. Fish and other slimy things darted across their feet; they stepped to their waists into more than one treacherous pool.

aid. "We are

s were there-and their horses were not-they slept within the huts. The animal instinct, so bravely repressed, overcame the adventurers. They

I

e packages of dried meat and fruit, tying them securely wi

d Adan. "Do you think t

tie their horses when they started after us, they wo

e to awaken them. The two mustangs they led forth, vicious brutes at best, were very restless from prolonged inactivity. Roldan's submitted to the saddle, but bolted as soon as he felt a determined pair of legs about his sides; and as our adventurer had neither whip nor spurs, all he could do was to hang o

e proud supremacy of man over brute. But the situation was full of peril. They were hopelessly lost, the redwoods were the home of the grizzly and

here were no trails; in all likelihood they were where no man, red or white, had ever been before; they

eir grey motionless columns, their green sinister light, the delicate fern wood below, the dense mat of branch and leaf so high above. The redwoods oppress and terrify when they have man completely at

e other peaks, below was the dense primeval forest, rising and falling on other slopes. There was

d Roldan, briefly;

nt grass, and consumed a small quantity of their store. Then they

night," said Adan, w

than by day in the forest, b

more," murmured Ada

He awoke suddenly, his face wet and stinging. White stars were

and dragged hi

woods at once," he said.

them from the storm, at others the trees grew wide apart and the riders were exposed to its pitiless rush. In these open spaces they could see nothing, could only push blindly on, brushing the stinging particles from their faces, their hands and feet

re too high above. Once Adan suggested through his stiff lips and unruly teeth that they turn back and take refuge in some dense grove above; but Roldan shook his

he storm they dared not attempt to skirt the base of the peaks; t

d the blood in their veins was almost torpid. Once they stood still and shook, whinnying pitifully. A huge grizzly, so powdered as to be hardly distinguishable from the drifts about him, floundered along to the right. The boys cros

fell forward, their arms mechanically stiffening about the horses' necks. Once they flung out their hands and feet with a smothered shriek. A tongue

I

stood: he was tightly wrapped in a blanket, and there were other blankets upon him. He raised his head. The room was one of familiar lineaments,-whitewashed walls, a mat by the iron bed, an altar in the corner, linen with elaborate drawn-work on bureau and washstand. The b

rough his brain in rapid and precise succession-up to a certain point: his senses had b

lso one vast desire for food and drink. But that glimpse through the door had raised his spirits. He was in a great adobe house surrounding a court in which a foun

ttention, listening to the murmur of the fountain, inhaling the fragrance of oran

man, stout, brown, but of exceeding grace

n, politely. "I am very hungry

ted his cheek with a sh

ncho Encarnarcion, in a great valley many, many leagues from the Sierras and the snow-Madre de di

nds of lovely young donas. The lady looked much pleased and drew a chair beside the bed. Roldan wondered if he should ever s

me here," he asked. "My he

st afterward-you. He thought you were dead, but poured aguardiente down your throats. You swallowed but did not awaken, although he shook you and pounded you. Then he strapped your friend-Adan, no? upon the back of Lolita, took

ed. The door opened again. Roldan sat up. But it was Adan. He wore a long

spered loudly. "Are yo

and have breakfast

energies, bolted across th

nd why are we sweltered like sick babies? This is a fi

chapter, and soon after he finished two Indian servan

. "Chocolate! Tortillas! Chicken with yellow rice!" He

ough very comfortable, they made up their minds to dress. On the chair was a complete outfit, suitable for a young don. Roldan concluded it had been thoughtfu

and silk stockings, and shoes with buckles. There must be those of our age in th

down the corridor to his room. Who knew but there

k, but magnificent to look upon. Roldan's head was very h

, and the sky is blue, and the sun looks like the copper lamp of my mother-the one that came fr

f the gateway they could see the green of fields, a corner of a vineyard, and rolling hills. On either side of the entrance was a large magnolia-tree with broad shining leaves and bunches of cream-white fragrance. The oranges were very yellow, the pal

I

ests and took the longest way round instead of crossing the court; but when he reached the boys, who we

ravely. "The house is yours. Burn it if you w

s have rescued us from death and given us food and clothing whe

dan and Don Adan. All guests are welcome at

ons, and our heroes were reliving the events of the past weeks. Arm in arm they strolled out into the wide beauti

suddenly. "Do you k

turers had lost

before Christma

ul faces of their parents and brothers and sisters, to say nothing of visions of unclaimed presents. But

married sisters and brothers. They all come from their r

n, dismissing regr

about. They stood in the midst of a great vineyard, each engaged upon a large purple bunch.

among the hills. I thought I would go to meet him and receive his blessing. For a time I saw no one, and I thought, 'Caramba! but the padre has long legs this hot weather!' Just then he stood before me. He had walked out of the side of the hill through a hole no wider than himself. He sweated like a bull after coliar, and h

l? w

aid,'the day is warm and I am very tired, and, I fear, a little ill. These rocks are nothing. They please my eye, and I pick them up sometimes as I walk among the hills. Leave them there. I do not want them. We will return to the Mission.' 'If you do not want them, then may I have them?' I asked-the blood flew all over my body, my friends. He scowled as if I had asked him for the candles on the altar. 'No,' he said, 'you cannot.' Then he put his big hand on my shoulder-he could twist your neck in a minute with those hands-'Listen to me, my son,' he said, very soft, and looking so kind now, you can't think. 'There is poison in those stones, pretty as they are, deadly poison. It has murdered millions of souls and hundreds of bodies. Therefore I will not let you touch it-only a priest can touch it without ruining his soul. Therefore I forbid you--forbid you-' he

urselves," said Roldan, promptly, and

-that padre is too big. I wake up in the night and see his h

nterey, and perhaps the other towns, they have a little-it comes from Mexico. My uncle said that one reason we were so happy was because we had so little money-none at all, we might say. That we got what we wanted out of the earth, or by trading with one an

find it," said Ada

the magnolias hanging in the patio. He had an expression of indolent good-nature above his straight mouth, and long hands that looked lean and hard when they closed suddenly. He was a man of much influence in the politics of his country. His small-clothes were of dark green

ne him to death in more than one political battle. Well, my sons, you are very welcome, and the longer you stay with us the better. The officers passed here some days ago

toes and eggs baked together, and many dulces. The boys wondered

stances a girl had proud possession of the saddle, while her swain bestrode the anquera behind, his arm supporting her waist. Roldan wondered if anything would ever induce him to sacrifice his dignity like that. (It may be remarked here, as this history has only to do with the famous Californian's boyhood, that the day came when he could bow the knee to the fair sex with as graceful an ardour as did he not employ his sterner moments making laws and enforcing them.) The older folk travelled in carretas, the conveyance of the country, a springless wagon set on wheels cut from the solid thickness of the tree. It was driven by gananes, sitting astride the mustangs and singing lustily. The in

less than a quarter of an hour the eggs were free of their natural contents, and all were busy refilling them with flour, or cologne, or scraps of gold and silver paper. Then the boys stuffed the fronts of their shirts, their sleeves, and their pockets with the eggs, and hid themselves among the palms of the court. Presently the guests came forth and scattered about the corridor, smiling and chatting in the soft subdued Spanish way. Suddenly twelve eggs, thrown with supple wrist and aimed with unfailing dexterity, flew through the air and crashed softly on the backs of caballero

ss than an hour's time all had reapp

hundred more from the Mission. Father Osuna had also joined the party from the Casa, and Roldan, who had seen hundreds of horse-races and was built on a more complex plan than his contemporaries, got as close to the priest as he dared and gave him his undivided attention. Padre Osuna was a man of unusual height and heaviness of build. His black eyes were set close to his fine Roman nose. The mouth was so tightly compressed that its original curves were quite destroyed, and the intellectual development of the brow was very marked. His hands exerted a peculiar fascination over Roldan. They were of huge size, even for so b

ve at midnight," thought Roldan. "Still-" His scent for danger,

en the bright folds of the rebosos flushed expectantly. From the black mass

Fifty hides

h ahead! Madre de dios! Six doublo

speaker, a wealthy ranchero who h

nor," he said. "Twenty otter skin

d that you bet with me. But the whi

ll, and her legs

scles of the little bronze. How they

and if she wins, t

, and bet-but with less recklessness: a small jewel or a second-best mantilla. As they could not remember what they had bet when the excitement was over, these debts were never paid; but it pleased them mightily to ma

f men strapped to the creatures of fire beneath. Sometimes the black gained then the little bronze; once the white dashed a full three yards beyond his fellows, and Roldan

out of it and was lagging homeward, hardly greeted by a hiss. The others were almost neck and neck, the little bronze slightly in the lead. "She wins,

n was livid, his nostrils twitching.

red thousand? Did they not have more horses and cattle than they would ever count? In those days of pleasure and plenty

. Several of the girls danced alone, while the caballeros clapped and shouted. Then all waltzed or took part in their onl

ivulge all. They rode toward the hills at the head of the valley. Roldan was still the hero of the hour, and Rafael, although the most generous of boys, resented it a little. He was not without ambitions of his own, and determined to seize the first oppor

und his op

"Aha!" cried the young don of the Rancho Encarnacion. "Now I will ma

too steep. It is like the side of a hou

is dangerous, but

id Rafael, proudl

of winter was very delicious after eight months of unrelenting sunshine. When Rafael reached the summit he rode back for some distance, then came at the bull full charge, yelling like a demon. The bull, terrified and indignant, gave a mighty snort and leaped over the brow of the hill. It was much like descending the slightly inclined side of a cliff, but he kept his footing. The boys h

ng forward, and, amidst a hoarse murmur from the boys, caught the bull below the horns. But that was all. The bull would not down! There would be no coliar! He merely ran on-the brute! the beast!-jerking his horns defiantly, putting down his head, nearly dragging Rafael from the saddle. But no! but no! Rafael has risen in his saddle, he has forced his mustang the harder, he is almost lev

h a start. It was the priest. "Coliar was never better done,

moments. He sat a big powerful horse, and his bearing was as military a

d breakfast, the priest pressed his horse close to Roldan's. "I interested you much a

e flattered that the priest had evidently thought it worth while to inquire his name; and stam

akable pleasure. "You are right, my son, I am not as othe

an could not resist saying, then

mortal before; but if I am not as other men, neither are you as other lads. Some day you will be a Castro or an Alvarado; it is written in your fac

not return

stianized a few hundred worthless savages who were better off in their barbarism, and I have made myself a power among a few thousand men of w

ifornias, my father," he said, "I shall send you back to S

e said with a brilliant smile. "And I do not ask you to guard as your own what I have said. It is a part of the power of such natures as yours that you know what to repeat and what to leave unsaid." Then as they approached the house he sud

V

sparkling with gold and silver lace, their wives and daughters each surrounded by her cavalcade. About ten the gorgeous company, led by the host, started for an immense corral about three miles from the house. The boys were well to the front, and established themselves on the wall of the corral. The rest of the party remained on their horses, but mo

on every side came a mass of tossing horns and sleek shining bodies, separated here and there by a shouting vaquero, whose black and silver seemed pierced at every point by those white curving horns. The cattle, several thousand in number, trotted over the hil

pped to the waist, and as the first steer was driven through the narrow gate, he plucked a red-hot iron from the coals. The beast, kicking and

that the wonder was some were not branded twice. As fast as each brute received his mark he was dri

gregated the animals immediately required and drove them in a straight line for the corral. There was not a moment of pause. The vaqueros, the brander, and his assistants seemed impervious to fatigue; the cattle, shifting uneasily in their bands, leaped eager

owings, the increasing masses of animals, the furious shouts of the men, had changed a peaceable landscape into a vast theatre full of tragic possibilities. The waiting cattle we

impatiently, but prepared to obey; the Cali

I could stand here till night,

began Roldan. "But

od suddenly still, quivering. Then, abruptly, a horrible stillness fell. All things breathing seemed to petrify. But only for number

oat. The priest shouted to the boys: "Stay where you are;" t

e cries of the terrified vaqueros. In a moment a blaze of colour was flying down the valley, a long brown arm lifte

their legs crushed into their mustangs' sides, and were borne along and aloft, shrieking horribly, adding to the fury of the stamp

mpossible to say. A curving outer flank of the flying mass bulged against it, and it quivered horribly with the impact. The boys strained their eyes aft

n on the other side. This wall may go down any minu

said Rafael. "T

y vibration of stampeding cattle. The adobe wall rocked viole

s with their knuckles. When they had recovered some measure of vision they huddled together, staring with af

We are the colour now of the earth. If we keep quiet and look no

the last line, curiously compact, swept by. Occasionally the earth jumped with brief abruptness, causing hair to crackle at the roots, and dust-laden as it was, m

dly, with ever increasing impatience, they paused every few moments to listen; there was likely to be a return stampede at any moment. More than once they were obliged to swerve suddenly aside from yawning rifts, and they passed a spring of boiling water, spouting and hissing upward, which had not

ch led directly to the house, the other straight ahead, almost as broad as the valley itself. The boys saw a

the mustangs had been fleeter than the cattle. The latter had evidently kept well togethe

t, the redwoods as rigid of outline as if the heart of the world beneath had never changed its measure. J

plateau above the river, as serene and proud as the redwoods on the mountain. She had held her own against ma

the church rolled the sonorous tones of Padre Osuna's voice, intoning mass. The boys ran forward to enter the building. They

as if petrified. On them, huddled to the arching necks, in an attitude of prostrate devotion, were magnificent bunches of colour; scarce an outline could be seen of the proudly attired men and women who had fled before a ti

V

but somewhat restored by the calm of the church and the solemn monotonous roll of Father Osuna's voice. They cantered slowly homeward, and crossed themselves fervently when they saw the Casa Encarnacion none the worse for her shaking, beyond a few fallen tiles. After dinner and siesta they recovered their natural sp

on spent in music and dancing; so light of heart and ca

as stealthy, but the bear suddenly raised his head. In a second five or six lassos had sprung through the air. One caught the bear-a brown bear of moderate size-about the neck, another about a hind leg. The brute drew his legs together like a bucking horse and leaped into the air, then plunged toward his tormentors; but those that had him in lasso galloped in different directions, and poor bruin was quickly strained and strangled to death. Two vaqueros were left to skin him, and the party rode on. In a very few moments they saw a moving group some distance ahead. Spurring their mustangs they dashed forward, letting the lassos fly. Now the sport became truly exciting and dangerous. Some six or

liberty rode str

r. He hurled the lariat. It fell short, and lay quivering on the ground like a huge wounded snake. Roldan gave an exclamation, of surprise as much as of dismay: he was an expert with the rope. He turned, however, dragging it in. It caught about the mustang's hind legs. The beast went down, neighing with horror. Roldan

mile and more behind. No one apparently had noticed his flight with the so

ood was up, and that he meant a duel to the death. Roldan turned with a catching of what breath was left in him. He mechanically drew his

d the skipping, and leaping, and dodging, and waltzing of these two would have been ludicrous had it not been a matter of life and horrid death. Through it all Roldan was vaguely conscious of approaching hoofbeats, but there was no room in his consciousness for hope or despair. He was not even aware that he was panting as if his lungs and throat were bursting, nor even that his vision was a trifle blurred from constant and rapid change of focus and surcharged veins. But he executed his dance of life as unerringly as if fresh from his bed and bath. The bear, a clumsy creature at best, and streaming and blinded with his blood, was s

r him, propping his head. "The bear?" he demand

fool, my friend, to go off alone like that-but very brave,"

nd time you and your lariat have saved me.

the old women hunt for fleas of a night. Do you feel

uch I should find another bear

V

ounds a half or three quarters of an hour later and see that his strict laws were as strictly obeyed. To-night, when he opened the doors of the three young dons in succession, heels were still, and breathing was as monotonous as his own would be an hour later. At eleven the boys dressed and swung from their windows, not daring to leave by the co

in the rancheria, quiescent enough, for they had no Anastacio. At midnight the great bells in the tower had rung out, filling the valley with their sweet silver clamo

hat the boys felt the quiet of the night as they had not done in the other valley, and drew closer together, almost holding their breath lest the priests might hear it. A quarter of an hour later they were among the hills and standing before the aperture whose secrets were known only to Padre Osuna. They glanced at each other

uttered the first exclamation of surprise. It was, indeed, a hoarse gurgle. The walls were veined with what appeared to be irregular bands of dirty crystal, pricked with glittering yellow. There were, perhaps, a thousand of these little points bared from the jealous earth, and they shone with a steady ba

and rubbed two pieces together. In a moment his palm was filled with jagged

g from his head. "It is as beautiful as the stars of the

e do with it? Surely this was not made to rot with the earth. But it is too small for what you

hat you can, and fill every pocket. We will take all we can carry away, and come again and again. Some day, when we are men, perhaps, we will find a use for

ore and more silent, more and more absorbed. They forgot their delight in rodeo, coliar, bear-hunts, bull-fights, riding about the ranches from morning till noon, the race, the religious processions, the dulces of their mothers' cooks. A new and

the lantern about swiftly, twisting his neck with deep anxiety. It would be no minor adventure to encounter a coiled rattler in this narrow place. Then h

danger sense, were on their feet as quickly. As the three lads, none very tall for

er of light, looked like great bats, and seemed to pervade the cavern. Involuntarily the boys squirmed. Then Roldan, mindful always of his proud position as captain of his s

rs as any man's. This is the first time that we have been here, but it will not be the last; and when I am the governor of all the Californ

ore than any he had ever met, and whom he knew most men feared and none understood. Moreover, he heard two sets o

ressing the heads hard together. Then he lifted the boys high in the air and held them there, a kicking, humiliated trio. The blanched oliv

r leave this cave, not one of you. When you are dead for want of food and drink, I shall return and bury you. And no one will seek you here." S

ho between mortification and rage felt equal himself to murder, but determined as

don't care! Here you rot. This gold is

n, and to tell no man of what we

our brains? You could not keep an oath on the cros

he do?" g

Roldan. "There are plenty nigh. If we follow, he will beat us b

? Rot here? Starve to

eath before, have we not? We shall h

ons responded to the awful forces in the man, overgrown and abnormal as they had become. That the priest had some great end in view to which this gold was the means, and that the gold itself had roused in him a controlling passion, he could not doubt. The p

n," he said

rang to his feet. "We are above the tunnel of the Mission," h

I

, carrying Adan with it. A wild yell came back. It stopped abruptly,

excitedly, peering down int

a dungeon of a Mission." The voice was qu

opped, falling on a mass of soft earth. Adan had prudently retreated a few step

an. "This air is not too good. And

air was close and heavy, but free from noxious gases. Bats whirred past and rats scampered before them. Roldan paused after a moment and l

aight. It also app

leagues," groaned Adan,

nd they are four leagues from the Mission. But you have taken longer wa

ve we brought you? Your poor muscles are soft, where ours ar

re after they too are hard!" muttered Rafael, who w

It is flight once more-to Los Angeles. We will stay there-where he would not dare touch us if he

d. I feel that there is not room in the

f his recent humiliation. "But come." And Rafael, too weary and bewildered to

er," said Adan

ldan. "We near

s again?" he asked. "If it is, th

nothing of the fact that we need never get lost in the mountains again, the embrace of a grizzly w

romise that whatever happens you w

h flattered by this unconscio

s really a devil?" asked Ra

ng hotly. "If he only were not a priest I'd fight him, big as he is. But at least I can o

talk about having the best of the priest," sai

t he will not have that satisfaction, my friends. Yesterday he had a friend in Roldan Castanada; I would have done anything

" asked Rafael, eag

has been discovered in the Californias, and in six days the hi

ed Adan. "Do

h. A few moments later the low rhythm as of distant water came to their

ver see another redwood," mut

piled thickly to keep out wild beasts and delude the searching eye

se," said Adan

studied facility of egress and had raised the barrier from within. In a fe

hard snow. "We are where we started a

o clever for that. They would want to get into the shelter of the mountains, no mor

was bitterly weary and hungry, but determined n

d very cold, and hunger was loud of speech. When after a half-hour's weary climb, they reached the summit, they drew a long sigh of relief, but their enthusiasm was too modera

a safe hiding-place," said Roldan. "If he should

felt a quickening of blood and muscle at the though

e next rancho,

Mission grant. It i

go there and

as dark and cold and damp as the last hour of the tunnel had been, but the narrow river, roaring through its middle, had caught all the snow, and there was scarce a fleck on the narrow

nted to a ledge overhanging the stream. A hut stood there, made of sect

edge to the hut. The door was of hide. They knocked. There was no response. They flung the door aside and entered. No one was in the

"I'd rather be invited

hen he piously crossed himself and fell to. It was not in human necessities to withstand the fragrance of that steaming mess of squirrel, and the boys had disposed of the entir

eply-set china-blue eyes, made up a type uncommon in the Californias, that land of priest, soldier, caballero, and Indian. He was clad in coyote skins, and carried a gun in his han

and Roldan recovered himself at onc

s it was, our hunger overcame us: we have not eaten for many hours. But I am Roldan Castanada of the Rancho de l

begrudge anybody sup." Then he broke into a laugh at the puzzled faces of his guests, and translated his reply into very lam

you haint left me nothin', I may as well turn to," he

the words, but they unders

the rabbit for you

and the man nod

rican, no?"

, you

ston, I

nt. No, young 'un, I'm not from no such high-toned plac

t in Am

our geography, young man. It's one o

d as freely as he did his native tongue. The boys stared at him, fasci

ou come?" a

t inside of me. P'r'aps as you've been hungry you know that it doesn't m

uff used by the Indians. The boys wanted to cough, but would have choked rather

st had eaten his breakfast

ill. I won't ask yourn as I wouldn't remember them if I did. These long-winded Spanish na

e are very thankful to have anything to sit on at all, senor. You could n

ke. Howsomever, we'll hear all about them presently. It's polite to answer questions first. You was asking me a while back how I come here. I come over those mountains, young

"We've been in them. What did

th, and I could be there yet if I liked, but I'd kinder got used to livin' alone and I liked it, so I come here. Besides, I found so much prayin' and bell ringin' wearin' on the nerves, to say nothin' of too many Indians. I ain't got no earthly use for Indians. Why priests or anybody els

ike the prie

e 'em, that is, with a poor devil like me; I guess he's one too much for your dons when he feels that way. But he's a man every inch of him, a

u come to Ca

cold climate. My own was warm, accordin' to my taste, and somehow Cali

hot in th

But as you see, I p

en go to th

I shouldn't like to lose sight of him. I got word from him the other day that he wanted t

Roldan; but

our yarn. I'm just pinin'

dramatic fire. As he had already told it several times it ran glibly off his tongue and had several inevitable embellishments. The man, whose cold blue eyes had wandered at first, fina

ha

ed by that hairy paw; he was too el

mor' 'n anything else on earth. You're a man and a gentle

then shook the hands of the two other boys, and told them that as long as he had a roof above his head they could share it, and

come roarin' down. When an earthquake comes I go and stand in the middle of the creek so as I can see what's comin' all round. Once I was on the side of the mountain when one of those shakes come and I slid down twenty feet before I could stop myse

are other reasons why we must go to Los Angeles as

t them from

! n

iest? Got in his black books? I

anything for us. Would you even hid

ou don't want to see the priest, it's not Jim Hill t

s from my father's corral-the Ra

but horse-stealing is just th

get there after dark if you started now; and even if the

erly. "Then they would not worry. Yes, I will go. The priest

call for delay. We'll have to foot it, as my mustang's laid up. If the priest should turn up here-which ain't likely-jest run u

priest will surely go to the cave to-day, and when he finds us gone he'll come straight for the mountains; and not

riend-" Suppress

e down on that horrible bed. I do not

eep in three minutes. Roldan sat with his eyes applied to a rift between the hide-door and the wa

had slid toward the west, leaving the canon cold and dark again, and Roldan was

gure clad in a brown cassock, the hood drawn well over the face. It was impossible to distinguish features at that dist

o wash these dishes-quick. It wil

g water, then handed them to Roldan, who dried them hastily and piled th

was very low, and half full of skins. They could not stand upright. It was also bitterly cold. Each hastily wrapp

door was flung aside a

had just left the rack of his native Spain. His hair-the hood had fallen back

said hoars

as abruptly as h

ot to cover it up again. Then he would have walked its length to find us, and the horses

red Adan, grimly. "Those

have gone somewh

to look upon. There was a touch of foam on his lips. His great hands were clinched. He strode

a's," he exclaimed.

to cough, Adan to scratch his nose. The next few moments were the most agonised of their lives. They felt the priest lift his hands and pass them slowly along the ceiling, they felt those eyes searching every cre

ropping his face into his hands. There he sat, motionless, for h

ices. A candle flared below. Hill had

aken them to the Sennor Carriller's and pointed them

his fist on the table. "Then t

as fresh and they was powerful keen.

rillo? Did he

orrallen the horses; and although he was mighty mad at such French leave, he said, speakin' of the other two kids, that they could take the

oking through the doorway. Roldan could not see h

Mission to-morrow-no, the day after. I have a secret to confide to you, and it will not be to your disadvantage to know it. I

between dawn an

od night." And th

up to them of a horse fording the

ere, yo

come down, Don Jim," hisse

, and I don't see as there's anything to bring

f fingers would permit, and a moment later stood on

fael?" dema

old man caught us in the very act of horse stealin'. Holy smok

ell him?" interrup

ade up his mind to go home w

nothing abou

opened his head

I'll reward him," s

he United States you might

horses? t

suspicioned the priest might be here, seei

y about me-us-what y

ke as not the priest'll see old Carriller to-morrow, and then the cat'll come out. I kin git outen it all right enough-I'll say as how the old man didn't see you, that you were restin' on the other side of the wall. Like as not he'll believe me, but he thinks you're p

us in trouble, Don Jim, a

ent, when I ain't the hero, so ter speak. There's only one thing

hav

editatin'

never forgiv

in yer power to injure Padr

and worse

've done it. You'll feel small and mean; and if you want to be a great man-and I kin see you're ambitious-that ain't the way to go to work. Padre Osuna

ting his teeth. "I will never respect myself

of your size. But, take my word for it, you'll feel a sight better if you mount the high horse and f

nk about it

vour to let the priest off this time. He's been the best fri

nd you can say to Rafael that I wish him never to speak, either. Only, in return, Don Jim, I

, I'll go after the mustangs. You lie down, and when I come back I'll cook that there rabbit for ye

X

danger and experience meant than when they had fled from home with the light heart of ignorance. Roldan felt several years older, and Adan had moments of reflection. Moreover, the fine point of novelty had worn toward bluntness. Nevertheless, they felt no immediate desire to ret

ent for its warmth. So far, barring their sojourn in the Sierras, they had been favoured with fi

southern curve was a high mountain. As the boys approached, a vaquero sprang upon a mustang

Don is away, and all the family; but I am mayor domo,

poncho each, for I fear that it will rain before we reach Los Angeles, and that you will direct us

he ponchos, senor. But surely the senores wil

will rest; and we h

d, then showed them to two bedrooms and bade them rest while dinner was pr

steaming dinner, and forgot their fear of the priest: the meagre diet of squirre

hem with two thick woollen ponchos-large squares

over the lower ridges. The senores cannot lose themselves, for they should be on the other side before dark-that mountain is the meeting of the two ranges and beyond there are no more for many leagues. Then the senores must keep straight on, strai

E to know that I have not returned to my father's house. I beg that you will te

returns not for a week. No one shall know until t

oke its monotony at times, now and again a jungle of tules. In less than an hour the travellers were ascending the mountain by easy grades, a black forest of pines about them. It was darker here, but the road was clearly defined, and they talked gaily of adventures past and to co

upting these pleasant antici

down grade, and there was no danger of losing the path, although the rain had put out the sallow flame of the sun. They pricked their horses and made the descent as rapidly as possible. But it was another hour before they were on level ground once more. The rain was still fa

and funnel-wise to Adan's ear. "We must keep due south unti

ross!" said Adan, with a

oncho about one's ears every few moments, it was difficult to preserve any sense at all. They galloped on, however, occasionally pausing to shout, straining their ey

alts that the boys ejaculate

n, a moment later "

and even the loud tone had a n

he low people say river for everything but the oce

n of habitation. They kept on for an hour longer, hoping for a welcome twinkle below; but not even a coyote crossed their path. As far as they could see in the starlight they were on

Roldan r

ire, or we shall be stiff to-morrow. An

sleep and dry, the be

There was not a tree to be seen; they had not passed one since they left the creek. N

ly remarked: "There is not a blade of g

rrow. But the poor things must be as hungry as twenty. Come, let

ntil hunger sent them to the saddle bags. The mayor domo had provided th

nd or body-if there are rattlers about-with no fire. We must take it in

not only the intense stillness, unbroken by so much as the flutter of a leaf, nor even the vast expanse. The place seemed to possess a character of its own, and its character was sinister and forbidding. Once or twice he had been in the cemetery of the Mission near his father's rancho, and the ugly feeling that he stood too clos

g deeply. It was nearly morning when he woke Adan, so little aptitude had his brain for slee

X

, as stark as if cut from pale green stone. At vast intervals were short, isolated mountains, known in the vernacular as "buttes." On the ground was not the withered remnant of a blade of grass; but there were many fissures, and some of them were deep and wide. Of the t

nly mad for sound of any sort. A dis

ange beautiful place was so dry that it seemed to crumble in the nostrils. As he finished dressing

e said, "wh

said Roldan, s

tarantulas in this accursed place. There is no water

came, and start once more fr

ntered this place? This soil might be r

oks like mountains-a long range-almost buried in mist. There is no sign of a range anywhere el

uld not eat, and, thanks be to that good mayor domo, we still have a bottle of wine. But I would give so

by an occasional whinny from the mustangs, seemed to press hard about them, thickening the blood in their veins. Roldan was filled with forebodi

the northwest when Adan gave a hoarse gurgle, caught Roldan's a

os Angeles. We were right, after all. But why

s and spires and many lofty cathedrals. It was a white city; there were no red tiles to break those

before him. It was mystifying, exalting. It was worth the dangers and discomforts of the past month multiplied by twelve, just to have one moment's glimpse of such perfection. And it was Los An

wine?" asked

en a fog before; Los An

l we

now. We cannot be more than two leagues from there. See, it g

t smiled and beckoned, inciting even the weary famished brutes to effort. But at the end of an hour Roldan reined in with a puzzled expression. "I do not un

were there. My mouth is parched, my tongue is dry-and the h

s beginning to feel vaguely uneasy once more. The odd sensation of death, of a buried world, had returned. Could i

o recede with the horizon, its sharp beautiful outlines unchanged. For some time the horses had been trotting unevenly. Gradually

fell to its knees, then rolled over

and what was left of the provisions into their pockets. They cast off their ponchos, then once more turned their faces

ind speech. "A fog?" he

d clear as it is on the north and east and w

you remember what that mayor domo said to us?-Keep straight on, straight on, never turning to the left, for that way lies the terrible Mojave de

at down and rolled his eyes from east to

jave comes back to me. There is no water on it, no living thing but half cho

yi,

s in a day; we have food and a little wine; we are young and very strong; we have not com

e it might be six or eight leagues to the northwest b

might have been a portent of death. But his mind was too active, his nature too independent to sit down

"We gain nothing by sitting here, and we are bot

hich way to go

had displaced the solitary landmark of the morning. There was not a

the sun. Los Angeles m

vide the meagre remains of their store. Evening came; the sun leaned his elbows on the horizon in front of them, leered at the contracted visage

ut always felt. But their smarting eyes were greeted by a refreshing sight: not a half-league before them, directly in their course, was a lake,

dged with dogged persistence for fully a league, striving to forget the gnawing at their vitals in the exquisite prospect filling the

man when at the mercy of nature, and he did not like the sensation. He had a strong, and by this time, well developed instinct to govern, to bend others to his will

s nearly a league out of our course. The first thing we know we will be in Baja California, where there is nothing but deser

lake? the

lthough we are learning-and I believe that this strange desert has the power to make scenes like

o the west again it faced them once more. They linked arms suddenly and trudged on, hungry, parched, beset by superstitious fears, but not forgetting t

ing his hand about the other. "It is ugly enough to be real. It is no use to say h

e welded together. But that was from a distance. When the boys reached the thicket they saw that the plants in reality were some feet apart, although there appeared to be no end to them. The boys sat down suddenly, their strength deserting th

g where we should find ourselves. We had better go straigh

is horrible desert for a whil

Angeles may be just

file; the spikes were long, and many of the larger leaves abutted so obstructively that they were obliged to go down on their hands and knees and crawl. Nor could they maintain a straight course, but zig-zagged among the great

t in circumference. They lay down side by side, knowi

-night. The thick dull green plant-trees looked as solid as stone, a petrified

s tongue. "Do you feel that you

to die o

Mojave desert. You have courage, and so have

, to-day. It is said that parts o

osing a great shake came, h

anywhere. Let us sleep

such another sight without a responsive thrill of horror. Were he paralysed from crown to heel he could not be more helpless in this thicket of needles. The vast unpeopled desert had been bad enough, but it had been intoxicating liberty to this. Tired as

after a time. When he awoke the sky was

he said, "but I am sure of the direction now. I to

his tongue rolling out. "In this

h strikes terror to man in the wilderness. The volume of sound was suddenly augmented: there appeared to b

are fighting," whispere

lifted his finger to his shoulder and beckoned. Adan turned mechanically

ht. They had coiled and struck some four or five times, whipping all over their narrow arena, when as if by common consent, they retreated to extreme opposite points, coiled as lightning strikes, and leapt at each other. Even Roldan gave a hoarse cry of surprise, and as for Adan, he fell into vocabulary: one serpent had darted straight down the throat of the other. For a moment there was a fearful lashing. The choking serpent

eat that even if we had anything to cook

may be a good sign, however: as they are the first living th

ossed h

"let us move on, before

ll of cacti and be obliged to retrace their steps, and both knew that might mean a stunning blow to courage. At times the constant zig-zagging, the unalterable, smooth, grey-green surface of the cacti, made them halt dizzily, for both brain and body were sick for want of food. But by degrees the wood grew thinner and thinner; and when the sun was ha

ever. There are quail in that chaparral over there. I'll g

pitated two of the birds in rapid succession. Then he reloaded and killed a squirrel. When he returned, Adan was on his knees, with his large cheeks distended, coaxing a handful of dried leaves and twigs into flame. It was a half hour before

, including many dulces, but nothing ever tasted as good as

an, emphatically, an

X

a peremptory voic

enor Jim,"

o his feet. "Ha

He took off his sombrero and waved it at the boys, but did not speak until he had cros

ve agin, and that's a fact. Hed some more adventures, I

said Roldan, solemnly. "Sho

and your adventures have kinde

d the pain

And two mirages in the bargain. I was lost on Mojave once, an

?" asked Roldan.

o life. I see you don't quite understand. Well, that there beautiful city and that there beautiful lake was what we ca

good deal since we left hom

xcuse myself. It's enough to say that he was half luny between fear and remorse. He told me-I suppose he'd got to that state where he had to tell somebody or bust-about leavin' you in the tunnel to die, and bein' willin' after to kill you with his own hands-he was that mad. But he felt terrible sorry, and said that if you told on him it would serve him right; only

. "I am glad that he was punished, but I

e and heard as how you hed crossed the mountains in a terrible storm I just hed to go on. I made straight for old Sanchez', who has a hacienda and raises grapes just this side of the river. He was drunk as usual, but his servants hedn't seen nothin' of you, and then I was seriously alarmed. That was at night, and I couldn't do nothin' until daylight, so I got a good sleep and the next mornin' I started for Mojave. I know it pretty well, and there was no danger of gittin' lost. At nightfall I found your horses and ponchos-the horses was dea

a kind and good man. I love you,

you're pretty clever all the same, and I like ye better 'n any boy I ever know'd,

well if it were not for me," said

ant to git to old Sanchez' fur a g

ll bade them mount his powerful

d. For some time past they had heard wild eccentric cries, and their three pistols were cocked. As they rode through a grove of trees beyond the ch

ves," he said, "and don't even

d it galloped on; then he climbed a neighbouring

ith inconceivable rapidity. In a moment it outlined itself. Those wer

seen; a moment later, their evil faces, distorted with fear. In the middle distance behind them was a huge column of fire. A strange figure seemed le

in ambush heard them crashing through the brush. Hill waited until the sound had grow

ariety. I'd give two cents to know what scared 'em and what's goin' on over yonder. The

ians," said Adan,

ree quarters of an hour. Well, we've all got to foot it now; but it ain't far. I'm powerful anxious to know what's goin' on over to Sanchez

the cries to grow hoarser and more grotesque. All about was heavy blackness. The slender branches of the burning pine writhed and hissed; they might have been a pyramid of rattlesnakes caught in spouting flame. Ove

e same time rolling over and over, clutching at the grass. Roldan, seriously alarmed, and wondering if any other boys in the history of t

"Are you ill, my friend? You hav

augh often, and although the boys dimly realised that Hill's explosion resembled-remotely-the dignified conc

wiped his eyes, and with some

hey knowed what they run from. That there object cavortin' round that there bonfi

get drunk this time," said Ro

round another bonfire this minute, and his scalp 'ud be bobbin' bravely. I don't approve of liquor," he added cautiously, r

g of following the Senor Sanchez' example. But do you

y got some idee of the devil, and the

ng house, throwing one of his own long legs into the air every now and again. The boys ran after. When they reached the house its m

as well to have your guns ready, and for one or two of ye to set up all

t. The boys awoke refreshed, themselves again; and

X

tered the living-room. H

enture, but ye kin call it by that name when you git home if you li

kfast. "What is it?" they demand

he history of your country 'n most kids do. Well,

interrupted Ro

you know who'se goveno

People don't like him, and they despise

nd Castro marched south, from ranch to ranch,-you just levanted in time,-persuadin' the rancheros to uphold their cause and give 'em their sons. As they have a way with 'em, of course they got all the recruits they wanted, to say nothin' of the finest horses in stock-caponara after caponara. They say the sight when they marched into Los Angeles was somethin' to go hungry for. Of course all

ded Roldan, faintly. He was pale, his nostrils

. The horses'll be here in about twenty minutes,

ually enthusiastic Hill. The river was low and quiet. The horses swam it without let from tide or snag. Even Adan forgot to cross himsel

y had left the river behind them. "Women and child

a human being was to be seen. They spurred back to the hill and began the ascent, then paused for a few moments. It was a wild and tragic scene. Hundreds of women and children, their hair streaming in the high wind, wer

he Americans, conferred with him a mome

o valley, three leagues to the north,

g new and fierce had leapt to life within him. Every few moments his fingers moved round to the hip-pocket that held his pistols. The weeping women and children had made him quiver from head to foot. As they approach

r there, and Micheltorena on t' other side. Ain't t

flushed, his eyes blazed. "Come, Adan! come,

ou're meanin' to fight after sweatin' fur

h the smoke until their ammunition was exhausted. Even Adan after the first few moments lost all sense of fear, and following Roldan's exa

as taken up vociferously. It boomed across the battlefield. A moment later a man came dashing across with a flag of truce: the cheering was supposed by the enemy to herald the advance of reinforcements. The truce was accepted without explanations, and R

ape the conscription. Well, I am glad you did, for you have saved the day for me. But it is time you were in Monterey, for you've go

dan's ears, but he managed to

eyes were as sombre as Alvarado's: doubtless both knew that their day would be short, their great gifts wasted in this f

mly by the hand, bu

eable you will adapt yourself to the new order of things when it comes. Both Alvar

graciously d

l, who was sitting on a hillock eating a sandwich.

a durned sight more luck. You'll git there-one way or not

vely, "have you another san