XII
LONGORIO MAKES BOLD
Upon her arrival at La Feria Alaire discovered that the Federaldepredations had been even greater than she had feared. Not only hadthe soldiers taken a great many head of cattle, but they hadpractically cleared the ranch of horses, leaving scarcely enough withwhich to carry on the work.
Alaire's hacienda comprised a hundred thousand acres or more--lacking athorough survey, she had never determined exactly how much land shereally owned--and the property fronted upon a stream of water. In anyother country it would have been a garden of riches, but agriculturewas well-nigh impossible in northern Mexico. For several years now theinstability of the government had precluded any plan of development,and, in consequence, the fields were out of cultivation and cattlegrazed over the moist bottom lands, belly deep in grass. The entireranch had been given over to pasture, and even now, after Alaire hadsold off much of her stock because of the war, the task of accuratelycounting what remained required a longer time than she had expected,and her visit lengthened.
However, life in the roomy, fortress-like adobe house was pleasantenough. Dolores saw to her mistress's wants, and the regularinhabitants of La Feria were always extravagantly glad to make theiremployer welcome. They were a simple, mirth-loving, industrious people,little concerned over the war, so long as they were unmolested, butobviously relieved to see Alaire because of their recent fright at theincursion of Longorio's troops.
In the work that now went forward Jose Sanchez took a prominent part.For once in his life he was a person of recognized importance. Not onlywas he the right hand of the owner of La Feria, but the favor of thatredoubtable general, the hero of a hundred tales, rested upon hisshoulders like a mantle. Jose's extravagant praises of the Federalcommander, together with the daily presence of the military guard,forcibly brought home to the ranch-dwellers the fact that war wasactually going on, and that Luis Longorio was indeed a man of flesh andblood, and no myth. This realization caused a ripple of excitement tostir the peons' placid lives.
And yet in the midst of his satisfaction Sanchez confessed to onetrouble. He had expected to find his cousin, Panfilo, here, and thefact that nothing whatever had been heard from him filled him withgreat uneasiness. Of course he came to Alaire, who told him of seeingPanfilo at the water-hole on the day after her husband had dischargedhim; but that information gave Jose little comfort, since it provednothing as to his cousin's present whereabouts. Alaire thought best notto tell him the full circumstances of that affair. Believing thatPanfilo would turn up at La Feria in due time, she gave little heed toJose's dark threats of vengeance for any injury to his relative.
The horse-breaker's concern increased as the days passed, and to thelieutenant and members of the guard he repeated his threats. Truly, hedeclared, if any evil had fallen upon his beloved cousin Panfilo, he,Jose, would exact a terrible reckoning, a revenge befitting a man ofhis character and a friend of Luis Longorio.
These soldiers, by the way, were something of a trial to Alaire, forthey were ever in her way. She could not ride a mile over her ownpastures without the whole martial squad following at her heels.Protest was unavailing; the lieutenant was mulishly stubborn. He hadbeen ordered to keep the senora in sight at all times, so he said, andthat ended the matter as far as he was concerned. His life and thelives of his six followers depended entirely upon her safety andhappiness, for General Longorio was a man of his word.
Of course the lieutenant would not offend for the world--the object ofhis solicitude was at liberty to tread upon his worthless oldcarcass--but orders were orders, especially when they came from acertain source. He besought Alaire to exercise forbearance toward him,and, above all, to use the extremest caution in regard to her ownwell-being, for if aught befell her, if even a despicable rattlesnakeshould rise out of the grass to sting her--caramba! The teniente, inthat case, would better destroy himself on the spot. Otherwise he wouldsurely find himself, in a short time, with his back to a stone wall andhis face to a firing-squad. That was the sort of man Longorio was.
The speaker wondered if Mrs. Austin really understood his chief'snature; how determined he was; how relentless he could be. GeneralLongorio was a remarkable person. Opposition of any sort he could notbrook. His discipline was rigorous and his punishments were severe;being utterly without fear himself, he insisted upon implicit obediencein others at whatever cost. For instance, during the battle of SanPedro, just south of here, a handful of Rebels had taken refuge in asmall, one-roomed adobe house, where they resisted all efforts atdislodgment. Time and again the Federals had charged, only to meet afire too murderous to face. The slaughter had been terrific. Thelieutenant, veteran of many revolutions, vowed he had never seen astreet so full of dead and wounded as the one in front of this house.Finally the soldiers had refused to advance again, and their captainhad sent for a cannon. During the wait Longorio had ridden up.
"'Come! Make haste!' said he, 'That house obstructs my view.'"
Seeing that Alaire was deeply interested in this recital, the oldlieutenant paused dramatically.
"Well, the capitan explained that an army was insufficient to take thathouse; that it meant death to all who approached. I was notpresent--God be praised!--but others told me what happened. GeneralLongorio dismounted and embraced the capitan--he kissed him on thecheek, saying:
"'Adios, my dear good friend. I fear I have seen the last of you.'
"Then what? Senora, you would never guess." The speaker shook his head."Longorio took two dynamite grenades, and, laughing like a boy, he ranforward before any one knew what he was about. It is nothing but thetruth, senora, and he a general! This capitan loved him dearly, and sohis bones turned to rope when the windows of that accursed house beganto vomit fire and the dust began to fly. They say that the dead men inthe street rose to their knees and crossed themselves--I only repeatwhat I was told by those who looked on. Anyhow, I have seen thingsquite as remarkable.
"Never was such courage, senora! God must have been moved toastonishment and admiration, for He diverted those bullets, every one.When our general came to the house he lit the fuses from his cigarette,then he cried, 'Viva Potosi!' and hurled one bomb to the roof; theother he flung through a window into the very faces of his enemies.Those Rebels were packed in there like goats in a corral, and they saysuch a screaming you never heard. Doubtless many of them died fromsheer terror the rest were blown through each other." The lieutenantbreathed an admiring oath. "Truly, it must have been a superbspectacle."
"General Longorio must be very brave indeed," Alaire agreed.
"But wait! That is not all. After we had taken the town and destroyedwhat Rebel officers we found--"
"You mean--your prisoners?"
"Si. But there were only a few, and doubtless some of them would havedied from their wounds. Well then, after that General Longorio calledhis old friend--that capitan--out before his troops and with his ownhand he shot him. Then every fifth man among those who had refused tocharge he ordered executed. It effected much good, I assure you."
For a moment Alaire and her companion rode in silence, but the tenientewas not content with this praise of his leader.
"And yet General Longorio has another side to his character," hecontinued. "He can be as mild as the shyest senorita, and he possessesthe most beautiful sentiments. Women are mad over him. But he is hardto please--strangely so. Truly, the lady who captivates his fancy maycount herself fortunate." The old soldier turned in his saddle and,with a grace surprising in one of his rough appearance, removed his hatand swept Alaire a bow the unmistakable meaning of which caused her tostart and to stammer something unintelligible.
Alaire was angry at the fellow's presumption, and vexed with herselffor showing that she understood his insinuation. She spurred her horseinto a gallop, leaving him to follow as he could.
It was absurd to take the man's word seriously; indeed, he probablybelieved he had paid her a compliment. Alaire assured herself thatLongorio's attentions were inspired merely by
a temporary extravaganceof admiration, characteristic of his nationality. Doubtless he hadforgotten all about her by this time. That, too, was characteristic ofLatin men. Nevertheless, the possibility that she had perhaps stirredhim more deeply than she believed was disturbing--one might easilylearn to fear Longorio. As a suitor he would be quite as embarrassing,quite as--dangerous as an enemy, if all reports were true.
Alaire tried to banish such ideas, but even in her own room she was notpermitted entirely to forget, for Dolores echoed the teniente'ssentiments.
In marked contrast to Jose Sanchez's high and confident spirits was thehousekeeper's conviction of dire calamity. In the presence of thesearmed strangers she saw nothing but a menace, and considered herselfand her mistress no more nor less than prisoners destined for a fate ashorrible as that of the two beautiful sisters of whom she never tiredof speaking. Longorio was a blood-thirsty beast, and he was saving themas prey for his first leisure moment--that was Dolores's belief.Abandoning all hope of ever seeing Las Palmas again, she gave herselfup to thoughts of God and melancholy praises of her husband's virtues.
In spite of all this, however, Alaire welcomed the change in her dailylife. Everything about La Feria was restfully un-American, from thehouse itself, with its bare walls and floors, its brilliantly floweringpatio, and its primitive kitchen arrangements, to the black-shawled,barefooted Indian women and their naked children rolling in the dust.Even the timberless mountains that rose sheer from the westward plaininto a tumbling purple-shadowed rampart were Mexican. La Feria wasseveral miles from the railroad; therefore it could not have been moreforeign had it lain in the very heart of Mexico rather than near thenorthern boundary.
In such surroundings, and in spite of faint misgivings, it was notstrange that, after a few days, Alaire's unhappiness assumed a vaguelyimpersonal quality and that her life, for the moment, seemed not to beher own. Even the thought of her husband, Ed Austin, became indistinctand unreal. Then all too soon she realized that the purpose of hervisit was accomplished and that she had no excuse for remaining longer.She was now armed with sufficient facts to make a definite demand uponthe Federal government.
The lieutenant took charge of the return journey to the railroad, andthe two women rode to the jingling accompaniment of metal trappings.When at last they were safely aboard the north-bound train, Alairemildly teased Dolores about her recent timidity. But Dolores was not tobe betrayed into premature rejoicing.
"Anything may happen at a moment's notice," she declared. "Somethingtells me that I am to meet a shocking fate. I can hear those ruffianlysoldiers quarreling over me--it is what comes from good looks." Doloresmechanically smoothed the wrinkles from her dress and adjusted herhair. "Mark you! I shall kill myself first. I have made up my mind tothat. But it is a great pity we were not born ugly."
Alaire could not forbear a smile, for she who thus resigned herself tothe penalties of beauty had never been well favored, and age haddestroyed what meager attractions she may have once possessed.
Dolores went on after a time. "My Benito will not long remainunmarried. He is like all men. More than once I have suspected him ofmaking eyes at young women, and any girl in the country would marry himjust for my fine silver coffee-pot and those spoons. There is mysplendid silk mantilla, with fringe half as long as your arm, too. Oh,I have treasures enough!" She shook her head mournfully. "It is amistake for a wife to lay up pretty things, since they are merelytemptations to other women."
Alaire tried to reason her out of this mood. "Why should any one molestus? Who could wish us harm?" she asked.
"Ha! Did you see that general? He was like a drunken man in yourpresence; it was as if he had laid eyes upon the shining Madonna. Icould hear his heart beating."
"Nonsense! In the first place, I am an old married woman."
Dolores sniffed. "Vaya! Old, indeed! What does he care for a husband?He only cares that you have long, bright hair, redder than rust, andeyes like blue flowers, and a skin like milk. An angel could not be sobeautiful."
"Ah, Dolores, you flatterer! Seriously, though, don't you realize thatwe are Americans, and people of position? An injury to us would bringterrible consequences upon General Longorio's head. That is why he senthis soldiers with us."
"All the same," Dolores maintained stubbornly, "I wish I had broughtthat shawl and that silver coffee-pot with me."
The homeward journey was a repetition of the journey out; there werethe same idle crowds, the same displays of filthy viands at thestopping-places, the same heat and dust and delays. Longorio'slieutenant hovered near, and Jose, as before, was news-gatherer. Hourafter hour they crept toward the border, until at last they were againlaid out on a siding for an indefinite wait.
The occasion for this was made plain when an engine drawing a singlecaboose appeared. Even before it had come to a pause a tall figure inspotless uniform leaped to the ground and strode to the waitingcoaches. It was Luis Longorio. He waved a signal to the conductor, thenswung aboard the north-bound train.
The general was all smiles as he came down the and bowed low overAlaire's hand.
Dolores gasped and stiffened in her seat like a woman of stone.
"God be praised! You are safe and well!" said the new-comer. "I haveblamed myself for allowing you to take this abominable journey! I havebeen in torment lest something befall you. Every night I have prayedthat you might be spared all harm. When I received word that you werecoming I made all speed to meet you."
"Dolores and I are greatly in your debt," Alaire told him.
"But you stayed so long!"
"There was more work than I thought. General, you have ruined me."
Longorio was pained; his face became ineffably sad. "Please! I beg ofyou," he entreated. "I have arranged for reparation of that miserablemistake. You shall see what I have done. With your own eyes you shallread the furious correspondence I have carried on with the minister.Together you and I shall manage a settlement, and you will find that Iam a friend indeed!"
"I hope so."
"Have I not proved it? Am I not ready to give you my life?" the generalqueried, earnestly. "Fix the damages at your own figure and I shall seethat you receive justice. If the government will not pay, I will. Ihave means; I am not a poor man. All I possess would be too little tobuy your happiness."
"You embarrass me. I'm afraid you don't realize what you say." Alaireremained cool under the man's protestations. "I have lost more than athousand head of cattle."
"We shall say two, three thousand, and the government will pay,"Longorio asserted, brazenly. "I will vouch for your figures, and no onewill question them, for I am a man of honor."
"No! All I want--"
"It is done. Let us say no more about the affair. Senora, I havethought of you every hour; the duties that held me in Nuevo Pueblo werelike irksome chains. I was in madness. I would have flown to La Feriabut--I could not."
"My husband will thank you for your great courtesy to me," Alairemanaged to say.
But the mention of husbands was not agreeable to one of Longorio'ssensitiveness, and his face betrayed a hint of impatience.
"Yes, yes," he agreed, carelessly. "Senor Austin and I must know eachother better and become friends."
"That is hardly possible at present. When the war is over--"
"Bah! This war is nothing. I go where I please. You would be surprisedto greet me at Las Palmas some day soon, eh? When you tell your husbandwhat a friend I am he would be glad to see me, would he not?"
"Why--of course. But surely you wouldn't dare--"
"And why not? Las Palmas is close to the river, and my troops are inRomero, directly opposite. Mexico is not at war with your country, andwhen I am in citizen's clothes I am merely an ordinary person. I havemade inquiries, and they tell me Las Palmas is beautiful, heavenly, andthat you are the one who transformed it. I believe them. You have thepower to transform all things, even a man's heart and soul. No wonderyou are called 'The Lone Star.' But wait. You will see how constantly Ithink of you."
Longorio drew from his pocket several photographs of theAustin ranch-house.
"Where did you get those?" Alaire asked in astonishment.
"Ah! My secret. See! They are badly worn already, for I keep them nextmy bosom."
"We entertain very few guests at Las Palmas," she murmured,uncomfortably.
"I know. I know a great deal."
"It would scarcely be safe for you to call; the country is full ofCandeleristas--"
"Cattle!" said the officer, with a careless shrug. "Did not that greatpoet Byron swim an ocean to see a lovely lady? Well, I, too, am a poet.I have beautiful fancies; songs of love run through my mind. ThoseEnglishmen know nothing of passion. Your American men are cold. Only aMexican can love. We have fire in our veins, senora."
To these perfervid protestations Dolores listened with growing fright;her eyes were wide and they were fixed hypnotically upon the speaker;she presented much the appearance of a rabbit charmed by a serpent. Butto Longorio she did not exist; she was a chattel, a servant, andtherefore devoid of soul or intelligence, or use beyond that of servingher mistress.
Thinking to put an end to these blandishments, Alaire undertook toreturn the general's ring, with the pretense that she considered it nomore than a talisman loaned her for the time being. But it was a taskto make Longorio accept it. He was shocked, offended, hurt; he declaredthe ring to be of no value; it was no more than a trifling evidence ofhis esteem. But Alaire was firm.
"Your customs are different to ours," she told him. "An American womanis not permitted to accept valuable presents, and this would causedisagreeable comment."
At such a thought the general's finest sensibilities were wounded, butnothing, it seemed, could permanently dampen his ardor, and he soonproceeded to press his attentions with even more vehemence than before.He had brought Alaire candies of American manufacture, Mexicansweetmeats of the finest variety, a beautiful silken shawl, and atmidday the grizzled teniente came with a basket of lunch containingdainties and fruits and vacuum bottles with hot and cold drinks.
When invited to share the contents, the general was plainly overjoyed,but he was so enthralled by his companion's beauty that he could eatbut little.
It was a most embarrassing situation. Longorio kept Alaire for everupon the defensive, and it sorely taxed her ingenuity to hold theconversation in safe channels. As the journey proceeded it transpiredthat the man had made use of his opportunities to learn everythingabout her, even to her life with Ed. His information was extensive, andhis deductions almost uncanny in their correctness. He told her aboutAustin's support of the Rebel cause and her own daily doings at LasPalmas; he intimated that her unhappiness was almost more than he couldbear.
This intimate knowledge and sympathy he seemed to regard as a bond thatsomehow united them. He was no longer a new acquaintance, but a closeand loyal friend whose regard was deathless.
Undoubtedly the man had a way with him. He impressed people, and hismagnetism was potent. Moreover, he knew the knack of holding whatground he gained.
It was an odd, unreal ride, through the blazing heat of the longafternoon. Longorio cast off all pretense and openly laid siege to thered-haired woman's heart--all without offering her the smallest chanceto rebuff him, the slightest ground for open resentment, so respectfuland guarded were his advances. But he was forceful in his way, and thevery intensity of his desires made him incapable of discouragement. Sothe duel progressed--Alaire cool and unyielding, he warm, persistent,and tireless. He wove about her an influence as difficult to combat asthe smothering folds of some flocculent robe or the strands of aninvisible web, and no spider was ever more industrious.
When the train arrived at its destination his victim was well-nighexhausted from the struggle. He helped her into a coach with thegentlest and gravest courtesy, and not until the vehicle rolled awaydid Alaire dare to relax. Through her fatigue she could still hear hissoft farewell until the morrow, and realized that she had committedherself to his further assistance. His palms against hers had beenwarm, his adoring eyes had caressed her, but she did not care. All shewished now was to reach her hotel, and then her bed.
After a good night's rest, however, Alaire was able to smile atyesterday's adventure. Longorio did not bulk so large now; even thesefew hours had greatly diminished his importance, so that he appearedmerely as an impulsive foreigner who had allowed a woman to turn hishead. Alaire knew with what admiration even a moderately attractiveAmerican woman is greeted in Mexico, and she had no idea that thisfellow had experienced anything more than a fleeting infatuation. Nowthat she had plainly shown her distaste for his outlaw emotions, andconvinced him that they awoke in her no faintest response, she wasconfident that his frenzy would run its brief course and die.Meanwhile, it was not contrary to the standards of feminine ethics totake advantage of the impression she had made upon him and with hishelp push through a fair financial settlement of her loss.
Once back across the river, however, she discovered that there wereobstacles to a prompt adjustment of her claim. The red tape of her owngovernment was as nothing to that of Mexico. There were a thousandformalities, a myriad of maddening details to be observed, and theycalled for the services of an advocate, a notary, a jefe politico, ajefe de armas--officials without end. All of these worthies werepatient and polite, but they displayed a malarial indifference todelay, and responsibility seemed to rest nowhere. During the day Alairebecame bewildered, almost lost in the mazes of official procedure, andwas half minded to telegraph for Judge Ellsworth. But that again meantdelay, and she was beginning to long for home.
Longorio by no means shared her disappointment. On the contrary, heassured her they were making splendid progress, and he was delightedwith her grasp of detail and her knowledge of business essentials. Athis word all Nuevo Pueblo bowed and scraped to her, she was treatedwith impressive formality, and even the military guards at the variousheadquarters presented arms when she passed. The general's officialbusiness waited upon Alaire's convenience, and to spare her thenecessity of the short ride back to American soil he arranged for heran elaborate luncheon in his quarters.
As on the day before, he assumed the privileges of a close friend, andtreated his guest as a sort of fellow-conspirator working hand in handwith him for some holy cause.