Part 21 (1/2)
”We're used to Indians,” said Adan, with gentle pride.
”Oh, be ye? Well, if them Indians had caught you fryin' your supper, you'd have got as well acquainted with the next world in just about three 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'! Mebbe two tribes met and them's the victors offerin' up the tail end of that there valiant army. Golly Moroo, but they did look scared.”
They walked on rapidly, but without further conversation; they were all hungry, and the boys were still very f.a.gged. As they approached the blazing ma.s.s, the figure seemed to leap more wildly still among the flames, the cries to grow hoa.r.s.er 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. Overhead the stars had disappeared beyond a heavy cloud of smoke. It was a sight to strike terror to the heart of civilised man; small wonder that the superst.i.tious children of the mountain and desert had fled in panic.
They had advanced a few yards farther when suddenly Hill flung himself on the ground and gave vent to a series of hysterical yells, at the same time rolling over and over, clutching at the gra.s.s. Roldan, seriously alarmed, and wondering if any other boys in the history of the Californias had ever had so much to try their nerves, ran to his a.s.sistance; he caught him by his lean shoulders, and shook him soundly.
”Don Jim! Don Jim!” he exclaimed. ”Are you ill, my friend? You have some whisky in your flask, no?”
At this Hill burst into a loud guffaw. Roldan and Adan looked at each other helplessly. The Spanish do not laugh often, and although the boys dimly realised that Hill's explosion resembled--remotely--the dignified concession of their race to the ridiculous, yet they feared that this was a diseased and possibly fatal variety.
But in a moment Hill sat up. He wiped his eyes, and with some difficulty controlled his voice.
”No, I ain't ill, young 'uns,” he said. ”But them Indians 'ud be pretty sick if they knowed what they run from. That there object cavortin'
round that there bonfire is old Sanchez, and he's drunk. Oh, Lord!” And once more Hill gave way to mirth.
”He did more good than harm to get drunk this time,” said Roldan, smiling sympathetically.
”You're right, Rolly. You've got a long head. If old Sanchez had set down to supper sober to-night, there'd be a war-dance round another bonfire this minute, and his scalp 'ud be bobbin' bravely. I don't approve of liquor,” he added cautiously, remembering the young ideas shooting before him. ”I only said that there be exceptions to all rules, and this is one of them.”
”I understand,” said Roldan, drily. ”I am not thinking of following the Senor Sanchez' example. But do you suppose that was really what frightened the Indians?”
”Just. Well, I guess! They've probably got some idee of the devil, and they thought that was him, sure 's fate.”
He sprang to his feet, ran forward, caught the baccha.n.a.lian about the shoulders, and rushed him in the direction of the dimly-looming 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 master was extended on a settee in the living-room, and Hill was telling the tale of their narrow escape to the frightened household.
”I don't think they'll come back,” he said in conclusion. ”But it's jest as well to have your guns ready, and for one or two of ye to set up all night. We three'd like grub and beds as quick as you kin git 'em ready.”
Never had beds felt so sweet as they did that night. The boys awoke refreshed, themselves again; and no Indians had returned to disturb their slumbers.
XXIV
Hill met them as they entered the living-room. His eyes were full of news.
”Well, boys,” he said, ”I don't know that you're in fur another adventure, but ye kin call it by that name when you git home if you like; leastways there ain't no doubt about it's bein' an experience.”
The boys forgot the waiting breakfast. ”What is it?” they demanded simultaneously. ”Quick! quick!”
”It's this. I don't suppose you know more about the history of your country 'n most kids do. Well, Alvarado and General Castro are your two big men--”
”We know that,” interrupted Roldan, scornfully.
”Oh, you do? Then mebbe you know who'se govenor at the present moment.”
”Micheltorena. He was sent from Mexico. People don't like him, and they despise the men he brought with him, still more.”
”So. Well, I allus did say you was a remarkable kid, Rolly. However, this is the way the case stands now. Alvarado's mad as hops to be ousted for a furriner, so to speak, and Castro's been bilin' fur some time, because General Vallejo's been promoted ahead of him. So the two on 'em determined on a revolution. They had a skirmish on Salinas plains that didn't decide much, and then Alvarado and 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 Los Angeles went over to such triumphant lookin' rebels, and to-day or to-morrow there's goin' to be a big battle. I only heard this mornin'. Old Sanchez' brother come post haste about two hours ago fur his gun and as many men and horses as he could drum up. Of course Alvarado marched down the coast valleys, so old Carillo and his neighbours are eatin' their breakfast in blissful ignorance.”
”And shall we really see a great battle?” demanded Roldan, faintly. He was pale, his nostrils were twitching, ”Alvarado! Castro! Micheltorena!”
”Well, you kin, if you bolt that there breakfast. The horses'll be here in about twenty minutes, and a battle's somethin' I'm pinin' to see, too.”