CHAPTER V
PELAJO
Laverne was about to reply, with the feeling of superior knowledge,"It's because they are not Americans," when she caught sight of UncleJason, Pablo, and a pile of rough timber, an excavation made in theside hill, a slope over which she had been training some blossomingvines.
"Oh, Uncle Jason," she cried, with eager forbiddance. "That's mygarden. What are you going to do?"
"Build a house for a pony. This seemed most convenient, though he issuch a cunning little fellow I think we could have trained him to goup the steps."
His shrewd, humorous smile and her own curiosity disarmed her.
"The pony? Have you really----"
"Well, I had to take him or see him go to some one else. I was afraidhe would get a hard master. And he is such a pretty intelligentfellow. He talks, his fashion. And he laughs, too."
"Oh, now you are making fun."
"Well, if you won't have him I can sell him again. He's just fit for alittle girl, or some one hardly grown up."
"But who had him before?"
"A young lady. A delicate little body. I've had my eye on him sometime."
"If she loved him why did she want to sell him?" and Laverne glancedup with a kind of incredulity.
"She was going away." He had not the courage to say that she was dead,that she had made a vain struggle for recovery, and failed.
"I suppose horses are not quite like people," she returnedthoughtfully. "They like those who are good to them."
"Well--they're grateful, and as a general thing appreciate kindtreatment. Humans don't always do that."
She had not gone very far in the philosophy of ingratitude, but shewas wondering if the pony had been very fond of his mistress.
"This place was the handiest. Then he can go cropping the tufts ofgrass about here, and we shall not have to lug the feed up on the nextround," viewing the sort of natural terraces with a squint in one eye."I'm sorry about the posies."
"Oh, well--they grow so easily. And here was the spruce tree, and, oh,we ought to have a big veranda to the house, where we could sit andsew and I could study lessons and we could have supper."
"But the place isn't really mine, you know. And I shouldn't want tospend a great deal of money. Some day we may have a house in which wecan truly settle ourselves."
Miss Holmes, who had been looking on, smiled now. "The Senora Estenegais very anxious to sell," she said.
"And it is so splendid all around. There are trees and trees and theyare full of birds. Oh, you never heard such singing. And the flowers!Why, I wanted to dance all around the paths for very gladness. But itwas dull and dark inside, and full of ugly portraits and Virgins andhideous babies."
"They wouldn't want to sell the pictures, they are old family relics,"appended Miss Holmes.
"And she asks a fortune for the estate. These old Spanish people havecaught on to values mighty quick. But a house for the pony is as muchas we can compass now. In a few years you shall have a home to yourliking."
Miss Holmes went within, and soon there was a savory smell of fishfrying and cakes baking on a bed of coals.
"That will do for to-night, Pablo," Jason Chadsey said. "Come earlyto-morrow morning and I will show you about the posts."
The Mexican nodded slowly, and walked to the kitchen door, where MissHolmes gave him a chunk of bread and a fish, and he went his way.
Uncle Jason washed hands and face in true Yankee fashion, with a greatsplurge. He had enlarged the rude cistern and led a rivulet of clearwater down to it. In many of the outlying districts there were but fewconveniences, and yet San Francisco had flashed into existence as if anew Kubla Khan had decreed it. Perhaps no city in the world couldboast such rapid advances, or gain in population. Those early yearswill always sound like a fairy tale. But it had some of the best andmost energetic brain and brawn from the East, whose forefathers hadsettled other wildernesses much less promising.
The pony shared interest with the visit and the promise of theEstenega girls coming up every morning. She was a very happy littlegirl to-night; Uncle Jason thought she had not been quite so bright oflate, but now her eyes flashed with an eager light, and her prettylips melted from one curve to another, while her voice had a bird-likegayety. The day had been so full and taken so much energy, that shelaid her head in Miss Holmes' lap and went fast asleep. Jason Chadseyread his paper by the light of the smoky lamp, and Miss Holmes dreamedof clean, orderly Boston even if its streets did run crooked.
The Estenegas were certainly not bright scholars. But the Yankeeschoolma'am had seen obtuse children before. They were extremelynarrow and incurious as to real knowledge, but anxious to get on withEnglish. Laverne flashed up and down the walk. Pablo set up the frame,put on a rude roof, then filled in the chinks with a common kind ofadobe. The pony would not live much indoors, to be sure, but he neededsome shelter.
"Do you know what his name is, Pablo?" the child asked.
Pablo shook his head. He was a dried-up specimen, with a skin likeleather and small deep-set eyes, quite bowed in the shoulders, whichmade him no taller than some boys of a dozen years. He had a littlehut of his own down in the wilds, and he often lay on the sand whenthe sun was too hot, and drowsed from pure laziness.
Uncle Jason led the pony home at night. He had been well kept, for hiscoat was smooth, just far enough off of black to be a rich brown.Shapely, with slender legs, a head not too large for his body, aflowing mane, now braided up in tails, flexible nostrils that quiveredwith every breath, and the most beautiful large, dark eyes that lookedas if they could laugh and understand many things.
She had been somewhat dubious all along. She had really felt afraid ofBruno at first, but as she looked at the merry eyes she laughed.
"Yes, I _do_ like you," she said. "I'm glad you are not any larger.And his tail almost sweeps the ground," watching her uncle, who waspatting his neck and smoothing down to his nose, and talking in apersuasive voice.
"Maybe you won't like his name. He comes of good stock, it seems, andif he was ten years younger would be worth a pile of money."
"Why, he doesn't look old. And his name--"
"Is Pelajo."
She repeated it, and he came a step nearer. She ventured to pat him,and then she reached up and put her arm over his neck. Uncle Jasonhanded her a lump of sugar, but she drew back as his soft nose touchedher hand.
"You must learn to give him tidbits, even a handful of grass or wildoats."
"Oh, I shall like you very much, I know," she declared, in a gladvoice, and he seemed to understand, for he rubbed against hershoulder, and this time she did not shrink away. He was used to beingcaressed. Perhaps he dumbly questioned what had become of his sweetyoung mistress who had petted him the last year.
It was so warm they tethered him and set Bruno to keep watch, forthere were many prowlers and thieves about; not quite as many downhere perhaps, since horses and money were the only desirable things intheir estimation. He was all right in the morning. The first thingLaverne did was to rush out and greet him, and he seemed quite as gladto see her.
She did shake a little when she was perched up on his back, but UncleJason walked beside her up and down the gravelly path, and after alittle it was really exhilarating. When she had taken two or threelessons she felt quite safe and began to enjoy it. Uncle Jason taughther to ride astride as well; it might be useful, he declared, andcertainly was a common-sense view of the matter. So Pelajo grew intothe little girl's heart.
On Sunday morning she always went to church with Miss Holmes, and thechurches were really well filled if the rest of the day was devoted topleasure. The lovely spring was now over, though fruit trees werestill blooming and laden with fruit. But there had been a few daysthat seemed to scorch up everything and dry up the small streams andcisterns.
The church bells were ringing in a leisurely, devoted fashion. "Cometo church for rest and refreshment," they said, when suddenly therewas a wild clangor and each one looked at his neighbor with
frightenedeyes, or stood motionless, not knowing which way to turn. Thensomething shot up in the air, scarlet against the sunshine, and thecry of terror rang out, "Fire! Fire!"
There had been a fear lest the gang of lawless desperadoes who hadhalf threatened and half laughed about keeping the anniversary of thegreat fire the year before would make some endeavor. But June 14th hadpassed, though there had been unusual watchfulness. After a week theorderly part of the city breathed more freely. And this day seemedalmost like a special thanksgiving for safety. Before they had time tovoice it the red terror began. Crowds with hymn and prayer books intheir hands paused paralyzed before the church they had made suchefforts to gain and enjoyed so thoroughly, the brief five months theyhad worshipped in it. And now they fled up and down the streets, whilethe fire swept this way and that with a tremendous roar. From Pacificover to Jackson Street, Washington, Stockton, Dupont. Goods andinvalids were hurried out to the Plaza, and then the wind swept thefire this way and that, and they had to fly again and save nothing.Buildings were blown up with a horrid din like war. And so for fourmortal hours of frantic endeavor with no reservoirs near. And when ithad ceased to spread it lay a great mass of charred and smoulderingruins, and several lives had gone with it. That it was the work ofincendiaries there could be no doubt. Ruined men invoked the arm ofspeedy justice if they could not have law.
In one way it was not so disastrous as the fire of the year before,which had taken the business part and immense stocks of goods. Thiswas more of a residential section, but homeless people were running toand fro, wild with the agony of loss of all they had. Parents andchildren separated, elderly people wandering about in a dazedcondition, the scene one of the wildest confusion.
Miss Holmes had decided to go over to hear Mr. Williams, instead ofthe church nearer by, which she usually attended. Then they would goto Mr. Dawson's for lunch, and meet Miss Gaines and bring her homewith them. At first she thought she could find a way through, but thefire spread so rapidly over to Montgomery Street, that she did notdare venture. It might go down to the very edge of the bay and on itsmarch take in the Dawsons. She held tight to Laverne, and usedstrenuous efforts to force her way through, but throngs were comingup, drawn by a weird fascination such as a fire always exercises. Thechild began to cry. Her hat was torn off. Oh, if anything _should_happen to her!
After a while the way began to grow clearer, but it seemed as if shewas in a new place.
"Oh, I'm so tired," cried Laverne. "And my foot hurts. Let us sitdown."
They were out of the well-built part. A tall old pine offered shelter.She sat down on the dry earth and took the child in her lap.
"Oh, do you think Uncle Jason will be burned up?" she moaned. "If wecould only find him. And will our house go, too?"
"Oh, no, dear. It is in a different direction. That will be safe."
"If we could only get there. Do you think Pelajo will be frightened?And everything looks so strange here. Are you not afraid of all thesewild men?"
They seemed, indeed, inhabitants of every clime. And though theylooked sharply at the woman and child, no one molested them.
"Are you rested now? Shall we go home?"
"Oh, I do hope Uncle Jason is there. What if he had come to the fireand was killed!"
"Hush, dear! Don't think of such a thing."
What would she do alone with the child if any untoward accidenthappened to him? She shuddered!
They picked their way over strange places, but they still saw theblack smoke of the holocaust going skyward. Miss Holmes kept one ortwo objective points in mind. True, streets had been laid out, butthey were overgrown with brush and the rampant cactus, with tangles ofvines. In some places they had begun to wither. Rabbits scurriedhither and thither, amazed at the steps. Birds were still carolling asif there was naught but joy in the world.
"And I am so hungry! Oh, when will we get home? Suppose we are lost?"complained the child wearily.
"I think we have been lost, but now I see where we are," the elderexclaimed, in a hopeful tone. "It is not far. And then we will have anice supper. Poor, tired little girl, I wish I could carry you."
"Oh, you couldn't," and there was a sound in her voice as if she hadsmiled. "But if it isn't much farther--my legs feel as if they woulddrop off."
"We have come ever so much out of our way. I could not see in thecrowd, and it pushed one about so. I never want to see another fire."
"Oh, now I know." Laverne let go of the elder's hand, and in spite offatigue gave two or three skips. "Could I make Bruno hear, I wonder?Bruno! Bru--no!"
Either she made him hear or he had a presentiment. He came boundingthrough the brush with short, sharp barks of joy, and lunged soagainst Laverne that she nearly lost her balance.
"Oh, good doggie, good Bruno!" she cried, in joy. "What if there weredogs burned up in the fire, and maybe horses?"
Miss Holmes shuddered. She had seen some men carrying a mattress witha human body, when a fierce blazing brand had fallen in it, and thoughshe turned her head then, she almost screamed now.
They dropped down on the small porch steps and sat there a fewmoments.
"I must go and see Pelajo," Laverne said, weary as she was.
He whinnied with joy, and rubbed his nose on her small hand.
"Oh, Pelajo, I am so glad you were not in the fire," and she couldhave kissed him for very thankfulness.
Uncle Jason was nowhere to be seen. When Miss Holmes was a littlerested she built a fire and put on the kettle. There was part of theleg of lamb they had had yesterday, and the pie she had baked earlythis morning. For in spite of all his wanderings, Jason Chadsey hadpreserved his New England fondness for such pies as a New Englandwoman could make. And there was a great bowl of delicious berries.
They had their meal, being puzzled just what to call it, since it wasa little too early for supper. Then they swung in the hammocks whileold Pablo came to look after Pelajo, and talk about the fire, whichhe insisted was still burning. They waited and waited until the poorlittle girl begged to go to bed.
"It hasn't seemed a bit like Sunday," she murmured sleepily.
Then Marian Holmes swung drowsily in the hammock again. Through theopening between two trees she could see the great glowing stars thatseemed as gorgeous again as in the eastern skies. There were screamsof night birds, the long note of the owl, the tree frog beseechingstridently for rain. Now and then Bruno would flip his ears orstraighten them, and at last he gave a sudden rush down the street,and returned with his master, but the clock had struck ten.
He dropped on the step as they had done.
"Were you alarmed when you came from church? Of course you knew aboutthe fire."
"We were really in it," and Miss Holmes detailed her day, leaving outsome of the most trying incidents.
"Thank God you came back safely," he returned, with deep feeling. "Itwas a most awful catastrophe. There has been an indignation meetingheld, and some of the miscreants will be brought to justice. Then,there must be better arrangements for fighting fires. It was aterrific sight, and there are hundreds of homeless people. The bestprovision that could be, was made for them. Generous-hearted peopletook them in, supplied them with food. Accidents were plentiful. Yetit has been a terrible day, but if I had thought of you and the childbeing there--"
"Oh, you couldn't, you see. And we came safely out of it all, sodon't feel distressed. Will you have some supper?"
"Yes. Though I was at the Dawsons' and had a meal. They came mightynear going once or twice, if a dangerous gust of wind had lastedlonger. And the crowds that poured in upon them! The courage of thesepeople seems superhuman, but it has been severely tried now. I do notbelieve any city ever suffered so much by fire and had the pluck to goon again."
She began to busy herself about the meal. He leaned against the flatpost and went sound asleep, though he wakened easily. Then leaving herdishes, an unusual thing for her, she retired herself.
For days the fire was the uppermost subject. They had always p
lannedrebuilding before with tremendous energy, but now courage seemed towane in this direction. But it was taken up energetically in others.The great want of water in the fire department had to be remediedspeedily, and at any cost. Money was offered freely.
The other was a more strenuous effort for the punishment of criminals,and a rigorous observance of law.
Among the immigrants had been convicts from different lands, lawlessmen who formed themselves into bands for plunder and maliciousness.Clark's Point, Broadway, and one end of Pacific Street was calledSydney Town from its great number of convicts and ticket-of-leave menfrom the Colonies; and to them were added the criminally inclined fromthe States, who had left their own cities for the city's good. Andout of the earnest endeavor to put a stop to the lawlessness and crimethe Vigilance Committee was formed. Then an old Mexican law wasexhumed that forbade the emigration to California of criminalsconvicted of crime elsewhere. Notices were served upon many viciouspersons and they were compelled to leave the city. And with it allgrew a greater regard for law and order.
Energy and perseverance did not fail, it is true, and the confidenceborn of the geographical knowledge that this must eventually be thegreat highway of trade, and the idea of a glorious future destiny,inspired the really solid portion of the community to continue theirefforts to make it the city of the world. Still, many of the middleclasses, discouraged by misfortunes, returned to their native cities.Others went further south in the more equable climate and becamefarmers. Still others wooed by the endless forests further north, andthe many advantages for starting new cities on a better industrialfoundation, went to seek better fortunes. The city never could recoverfrom all the evils it was said. But the splendid bay and themagnificent harbor were left, the gold fields were not exhausted. Andnow arose the demand for a railroad across the Continent, which had ahard fight for many years, but succeeded at length.
At Clark's Point a huge rock was quarried, and removed, and the hillexcavated to make room for new streets. Sansome and Battery Streetswere carried out and filled up with the debris. The wharves werepushed further out, great warehouses built, and though it was a factthat fewer people came to seek their fortunes, more brought with themthe idea of settling. Wherever any tiny stream ran among the sandhills numerous vegetable gardens were laid out, and the fertility wasremarkable. Markets opened here and there, the New World Market,enlarged and improved, where it seemed as if one might buy all theluxuries of the world. San Francisco began to lose the characteristicsof a Spanish or Mexican town, how could such drowsy ways be toleratedamong the adventurous, hard-working people!
There came to be an admixture of foreign races--musical Germans;light-hearted, theatre and dance-loving French; some from differentMongolian countries, who looked on with grave faces, seldomaffiliating, and the Chinese, who made a settlement of their own, manyof them content to be hewers of wood and drawers of water, laundrymenand servants, but others aspiring to the rank of merchants, evenbringing their wives later on.
On the opposite side of the bay, settlements were changing into towns,and business seemed to run riot everywhere. There was no lack ofemployment for those willing to work.
All these things were far away from the little girl's life. Shestudied because she loved to know about everything, that was a NewEngland heritage. She acquired Spanish rapidly, while the Estenegagirls were stumbling over English. The Senora came up one afternoonand they had a sort of high tea, with game of several kinds, a birdpie, and a pudding that would have rejoiced the heart of a farEasterner. It was a wonderful feast for the children, but the Senorashook her head gravely over the superabundance of luxuries.
"Was not the little girl going to learn lace-making and drawn-workthat she would want presently for her trousseau? And were not thecatechism and the prayers, confirmation, music, and languages enoughfor any girl? And these new Americanos, who dressed in silks andvelvets, and trailed up and down the streets nodding and laughing tomen!" and the Senora shuddered.
It was very true that stylishly attired women promenaded the twoshopping streets where the windows were full of rich goods. For theearly settlers had not to spin and weave in this golden country.Vessels were coming in frequently laden with goods from almosteverywhere. India and China sent treasures, France and England did notlag behind. So the women went gorgeously arrayed, leaned out ofhandsome private equipages, as if they were queens. For gold was foundin most unexpected places, and miners came in only to waste and gambleit away.
The old Spanish residents shook their heads over this wildextravagance, and clung more closely to their Church and the old ways.Even the natives were often amazed. There were not a few who hadSpanish blood, and proud enough they were of it. The emigration of theFrench began to exercise an influence upon the heterogeneous society.The skilled workman gave a finer air to shops and buildings; thehigher classes, lured by the wonderful reports, added their ease andrefinement to the society, gradually crystallizing into settledclasses.
"It is not all the Americans," Miss Holmes said, in answer to theSenora's strictures. "All the Eastern cities I have seen are quiteunlike this. They grew slowly, and each from its own peculiarindustry. We had no gold mines on the Eastern coast, and you arelikely to prize more highly the fortunes you have to struggle for.Here we have every nation, it seems to me, and often the very libertyof choice degenerates into license. But it is hardly fair to blame itall on our people."
"They have invaded us and taken away our land, our rights. Years agowe were happy and content, and now it is all excitement, and if you donot join you are pushed to the wall, driven out. The gold in the hillswas all ours."
"But you let it lie there. Yes, you could have discovered it. It wasthe wild dream of more than one explorer, and yet he never tapped thegreat secrets the land held."
Now that the hitherto placid Spanish woman was roused she went overthe ground with great bitterness, the war, the ceding of the country,the influx of the nations for greed. Half her talk lapsed into hernative tongue. Miss Holmes pitied her in a certain way, but was it notthe old, old story since De Soto had crossed the Continent and Tonticame down the Mississippi? The weaker nation was always distanced bythe stronger. And was supine content a virtue?
Meanwhile, the children had a merry time. Carmen gained courage tomount Pelajo and rode around in fine style. The younger ones wantedtheir turn. When they were called in to tea their cheeks glowed,their eyes were bright with excitement, and they chattered like aflock of birds.
The Senora looked on in surprise.
"Do you always allow so much wildness?" she asked, in a ratherdisapproving tone.
If they had a little frolic their walk home always sobered them.
"Oh, no," returned Miss Holmes, with a smile. "They have lessons. Thisis a holiday. And I am glad for Laverne to have companions. Wesometimes think she gets too grave."
"Girls," and their mother rapped on the table. What with theirlaughing, the broken English, and the Spanish they were in quite awhirl. Laverne looked on more calmly. Indeed, the Senora was a littleangry that she seemed rather to shame her girls.
"Oh, please, Senora, do not scold them. We were so merry riding thepony. He is almost human. And he understood Spanish. I did not knowthat before."
Laverne's face was a study, in its sweet pleading. The girls quieteddown, and their mother looked less severe, but she was considering aproper penance.
The moon came up early. How magnificently the soft light silvered allthe open spaces, until one forgot the drought. Each twig that swayedto and fro in the translucent air seemed alive.
Miss Holmes and Laverne walked some distance with their guests,leaving Bruno to keep watch. They parted with the utmost cordiality.
"We have had such a splendid time," whispered Carmencita. "I wish Iwas an American girl and had a good indulgent uncle such as thouhast, little one. Then I would not care to go to the convent."
Laverne was astonished at the outburst, for Carmen had heretoforerather cavilled at Americans. They w
alked back in silence until theymet Bruno's greeting.
"Didn't you have a nice time with the girls?" Miss Holmes asked.
"Oh, yes! Carmen was--well, I think I have been not exactly afraid ofher, but she seemed so much older, and this afternoon she wassplendid. And she wished--what do you think--that she was an Americangirl! And I wish I knew some American girls."
"You will go to school presently. Your uncle was talking of it."
The thought startled the little girl. She was not quite sure she likedit.
"Oh, there he is now," and she ran to meet him. The moon was up higherand it was lighter. Her hands were outstretched, but he caught herunder the arms and, lifting her up, gave her several kisses. It was sogratifying to have her always glad to see him.
Then he put her down and she caught his hand in both of hers and wenta hop and a skip, giving short, soft laughs.
"I'm late. Did you eat up all the supper?"
"Oh, we had ours early. The Estenegas were here, the mother and all.We had a good, good time," with emphasis. "They all rode Pelajo.Anesta fell off twice, but it didn't hurt any, she asked us not totell. And oh, how hungry they were!"
"Little girls ought always to be hungry. That makes them grow."
"And Carmen wished she had an uncle like you."
"Why--she has scarcely seen me."
"But then I talk about you," the child added, naively.
"Well--do you want to give me away?"
"Oh no, no."
"Or shall we adopt her?"
A positive unwillingness sprang up in the child's heart.
"I think her mother would not let her come," she replied evasively.
"But you would like her? You are tired of being alone."
"No, I don't want any one but you for all time," she admitted, alittle jealously.
He laughed. He was fond of this confession.
Miss Holmes' supper was satisfactory to the hungry man as well.Afterward they went out and sat on the flat stone step. That alwaysmade him think of his boyhood.
"Little one," he began, "how would you like to move? Or are theEstenegas too dear to give up?"
"Move!" in a tone of surprise.
"Yes. We haven't much worldly goods, as these traps do not belong tous. But we can take ourselves, Bruno, and Pelajo."
"Where would we go?"
"Quite far from here. Up on Telegraph Hill."
"Oh, that would be splendid! We could always see the bay, and over thestrait to all the mountains beyond. Yes, I should like to go."
"Well, I am glad. It will be more convenient for me, but we wouldhave to go, anyhow. This place has been sold."
"Is there a stable? And I think I would like a garden. And at least_one_ tree."
He laughed.
"They have been taking down part of the hill. No doubt some day theywill take it all down. That is the fashion of cities. But our end notbeing so high will not be disturbed for some time to come."
"This has been nice," she said retrospectively. "But I shall like thenew place, and the bay, and--and----"
"And the change," he laughed. Then he called Miss Holmes, who had putaway the last of her dishes.
He had talked this over with her before, but he had not made hisbargain until to-day. Then they settled a few of the most importantpoints. There were to be some repairs made, but they could go the nextweek. And to-morrow he would take them up to see it.
"Will you like to go?" Laverne asked of Miss Holmes as they werepreparing for bed.
"Yes, I think I shall. We shall be so much nearer everything. We canoften walk down among the stores. And we shall be nearer Miss Gaines.You will miss the Estenega girls."
"But there may be other girls. I'd like to know some new ones," andthere was a sound of delightful expectation in her voice.