The Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old California

om the lower end of the town, but the aristocratic quarter was very quiet, and she walked unmolested to the house of General Castro. The door was open, and she went down the l

n coverlet was still over it. Do?a Eustaquia crossed the room to

ur prayers have been unheard, and thou

Her white skin shone in the dim light, and with her black hair and green tragic eyes made her lo

have not a brain of iron nor a soul of fire like thin

that José is in r

is flying southward from San Juan Bautista. I ha

surely, no?-that our general will not surrend

em to give him battle here but for this base desertion. Now he will g

that I like better the Americans than the men of my own race. They are Castros! I shall hate their flag so long as life is in m

ranchero, a caballero! He at whose back all California has galloped! Thou knowest his restless aspiring soul, Eustaquia, his ambition, his passionate love of California. Can there be happiness for such a man humbled to the dust-no future! no hope? Ay!"-she sprang to her feet w

d curse those who have flung a great man into the dust. But comfort thyself. Who can know? Thy husband, weary with fighting, disgusted with men,

e would not be content to be as other men. And, ay! Eustaquia, to think that it was opposite our own dear hom

ont! Why did he, of all

ch to hang up h

abilan Mountains would shut out the v

day I think to hear that the shaking earth of that beautiful valley has opened its jaws and swallowed every hill and adobe. God grant that Frémont's hair stood up more than once. But go to bed, my friend. Look, I will put you

ay to General Castro's house she had paid no attention to the snarling muzzles thrust against her gown. But suddenly a cadaverous creature sprang upon her with a savage yelp and would have caught her b

n attending you to your door. It is not safe for a wom

ould not like, at all, to be eaten by the dogs. But I not like to trouble you to walk with me. I go

f the pleasure of protecting California. Pray grant my h

other, but pride put d

id graciously. "Why are you not a

on did not seem disposed to pilot the conversation, and he continued lamely, "Hav

to him with sudden hope. "Have they-

e United States; you know that England has always cast a covetous eye upon your fair land. It is said that the E

d herself. "You-do you admeer our country, se?or? Have

and about the dark blue bay is as exact a crescent as if cut with a knife. And that semicircle of hills behind the town, with its pine and brush forest tapering down to the crescent's points! Nor could anything be more picturesque than this scattered little town with its bright

r us; for surely, se?or, California shall shine like a diamond in the

my friend and the friend of my daughter. I am the Se?ora Do?a Eustaquia Carillo de Ortega, an

ap again and be

nk the most famous woman of Monterey for her gracious hospitality. And if I abuse it,

the door. This is the house of Don Thomas Larkin, where is t

ticles of pea