CHAPTER XXV.--_The Squatter and the Don._
Everett found Lucy in Jane's room. Both were sewing by the window hewanted. He squeezed himself into a seat between his sisters, saying:
"Girls, I want to hear. Hush! Listen!"
Voices were heard below. All listened. As Webster was coming down stairshe saw John Gasbang going out at the other end of the parlor, pushing alarge arm-chair out upon the porch. He heard them laughing at some ofGasbang's coarse, vulgar jokes, and then all sat down. After somedesultory talk, Mathews, evidently anxious to begin at what they had tostate, said:
"I am afraid, neighbor Darrell, that somebody has been fooling you andlaughing at you, or if not, then the thing will look as if _youyourself_ had been fooling us and laughing at us. This we can hardlybelieve."
"We don't believe at all," Hughes explained, seeing Darrell's browdarken.
Jane's window was possessed of most favorable acoustic qualities. Everyword could be distinctly heard.
"I don't understand you," says Darrell, gruffly. "I am not given tojoking or laughing much, and I never knew that anybody dared to laugh atme."
"Precisely!" Hughes exclaimed, bowing deferentially.
"Did you ever give us to understand that this land you occupy you hadbought and paid for?" Mathews asked.
"No. I said to the Don I would pay when the title is settled; that'sall. You all heard that."
"But you never paid him any money?"
"Not a red cent. But see here, what do you mean by coming here tocatechise _me_? You don't know William Darrell, if you think you can seta trap for him in this way. I tell you he would kick your trap to theold 'Nick' in two minutes," Darrell said, getting white with anger.
"I know it," Gasbang said, shaking with laughter.
"Stop your nonsense," Darrell said to him; then to Mathews, "Speak outlike a man--what is it all about?"
"That we are told that it is recorded that you paid six thousand fourhundred dollars to the Don for six hundred and forty acres of land,"Miller explained.
"When did I do that?" Darrell asked, with increasing pallor, the sightof which his interlocutor did not relish.
"On the 13th day of February, 1872," Gasbang replied.
"Who saw the record?"
"I did. I saw the entry made by the notary."
"Well, the notary lies, that's all."
"He couldn't. He could be prosecuted for it," Miller said.
"Very well, he shall be; for it is a lie that I bought any such land orpaid any such price for it."
"Perhaps the Don had the entry made," Hughes suggested.
"Then the Don lied, and I'll tell him so," Darrell retorted.
"Are you sure that Mr. Clarence did not buy the land unbeknown to you?"Mathews asked.
"What do you mean, sir? Do you mean to say that my own son would put mein such a ridiculous position? No, I think it is more likely that, asHughes says, the Don had the false entry made on the strength of myhaving promised to pay him for the land I would take. But I'll teach himthat I am not to be dragged into a bargain like that."
"What would the Don gain by that? Nothing. No, if you will not beoffended, I'll tell you what I heard is the most likely theory of itall," Gasbang began.
"And who in the devil has been building theories on my affairs? I'd liketo see the fellow who does that," thundered Darrell.
"It was my lawyer, who casually discovered that entry in the notary'sbooks, and told me of it. He meant no harm," Gasbang explained, withconciliatory amiability.
"Of course, he meant no harm. Lawyers of the Peter Roper stamp never do.When they go sticking their noses into people's business, they do so_casually_. And your lawyer--Mr. Roper, I suppose--being a very innocentand straightforward and honorable, high-toned man, who never gets drunk,he did not mean any harm, and _accidentally_, purely so, made thisdiscovery, and no danger of his having been too drunk to read straight,either. Look here, John, don't you talk to me as if you thought meidiotic, for I am not. But what is this innocent theory of thisunsophisticated, honorable Peter Roper? Let us see."
"Well, he thinks that Mr. Clarence being in love with the Don'sdaughter, probably bought the land to propitiate the family, and datedback the deed of sale," Gasbang said.
Darrell was silent, but shook his head.
"You see, the Don could have had no object in putting on record that hehad received six thousand four hundred dollars, unless he did so," saidMiller.
"So you think he received the money?" Darrell asked.
"No doubt of it," all the others answered.
"There he goes now," said Hughes, and all could see the Don ridingtowards home, accompanied by his two sons. Behind them the _vaqueros_were driving a lot of cattle towards the "_corral_" at the back of thehouse.
Seeing the cattle, Darrell said: "By the way, these cattle now belong toClarence. He bought every head on this rancho belonging to the Don, andwill drive them to the Colorado River as soon as the weather cools off.So I hope that if any stray cows or calves come up to your places youwill corral them and send _me_ word. I ask this of all of you, as afavor to me, not to Clarence."
"Certainly! certainly!" said Hughes, Miller and Gasbang.
"Will it be too much trouble to do that?" Darrell asked Mathews, who hadremained silent.
He was compelled to reply: "Of course not--not for you."
"Well, you see, I ask only what the law gives."
"I know that."
"And Clarence knows that if his cattle go to your fields you must corralthem and give him notice. And now I want to go and speak with the Don."
All arose.
Hughes said: "As we all wish to know more about that land sale, we willcome back this evening to hear what the Don says."
"Very well. I am going to ask all he knows about it."
"He knows everything, the greaser!" Mathews growled.
"But you think Clarence paid the money?" asked Darrell.
"Of course he did, to get the girl," laughed Gasbang; then added: "Itwas all a put-up job, and they kept the secret well, so we never smelledthe rat, while they laughed at us. But I don't care so long as you, Mr.Darrell, wasn't in it."
"So says I," added Miller.
"And I," said Hughes, and they drove off, laughing.
Darrell remained standing on the front steps. He ground his teeth andclenched his fists as he heard the laughter from the wagon, whichsounded louder as the wagon went further away. He walked to the stableand took a heavy whip, one of those which teamsters call "black snakes,"which are used to drive mules with. The old man trembled with suppressedanger, so much that he could not fasten on his spurs, and this onlyincreased the more his senseless rage.
Everett was scarcely less angry or less pale. He was waiting for hisfather to start, to follow him. Webster came up-stairs and said to him:
"Retty, father means mischief. He has a 'black snake,' and trembles withrage as if he had the ague."
"Poor father, how unfortunate it is that he got into such a wrong trainof reasoning," Jane said.
"He is bound to keep wrong as long as he permits such men to influencehim. I am ashamed of father," Lucy added.
"No, don't say that," Jane begged.
"But I am," Lucy maintained; "very much ashamed."
"And I also--bitterly ashamed," Everett said.
The old gentleman at last succeeded in fastening his spurs and gettingon his horse. He trotted off to meet the Don. Everett and Webster wentdown stairs. Webster had saddled two horses; he was not going to letEverett go alone, when he might need help. So the two boys followedtheir father at a short distance.
Lucy and Jane went to Clarence's room, from which they had a better viewof that part of the valley through which passed the main road, in frontof the Alamar house. They saw their father take the main road. The Donwas coming slowly with his two sons, watching the _vaqueros_ driving thecattle up the hill.
"Mamma, see father going to meet the Don. What does he mean?" exclaimedAlice, alarmed.
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Mrs. Darrell went to the window, and both sat there to watchproceedings.
Two or three head of cattle got separated, and Gabriel turned back at afew paces to head them off. Don Mariano and Victoriano kept on, and soonafter met Darrell.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Darrell," said Don Mariano, pleasantly. "You see weare Clarence's _vaqueros_ now."
Darrell muttered something gruffly, and stopped his horse in the middleof the road. The others did the same. Don Mariano saw that Darrell wasvery angry, and waited for him to speak first.
The enraged man gasped twice, but no sound came. On the third effort hisharsh tones said:
"I want you to tell me what is all this trickery and lies about myhaving paid you six thousand four hundred dollars for land. You knowthat to be a lie."
"Of course I do. You never paid me a cent, nor the other settlerseither. No settler wants to pay, and I never said you had, or expectedthey would, for I know they believe themselves authorized by law toappropriate my property."
"Didn't Clarence pay you for the land I took?"
"Look here, Mr. Darrell, business matters between Clarence and myselfare not to be mentioned, and unless he authorizes me to speak I cannotrepeat anything which he wishes to keep quiet."
"Then you have some private business together."
Don Mariano bowed, but did not speak. Darrell came closer to the Don,and shaking at him the fist in which he held the whip, said:
"Then I tell you, you ought to be ashamed of yourself to be bargainingwith my son in a clandestine manner, fooling me, and making me appearridiculous. But I tell you to your face--for I am not a sneakingcoward--I tell you, that you have acted most dishonorably, inveiglingClarence into bargains unbeknown to me, inducing him, with seductivebribes, to act most dishonorably towards me."
"What were those bribes?" Don Mariano asked.
"What were they? Your daughter's pretty looks, by G--!"
"Oh, father!" exclaimed Everett, turning very pale.
"Pshaw! That is too low," the Don said, turning his horse towards hishouse.
Darrell spurred his and stood in the way.
"Too low, you say? And isn't it low to act as you have? And now you wantto sneak off like a coward, and not give me any satisfaction."
"I am ready to give you any satisfaction you want, but demand it like agentleman. I am no Peter Roper, or Gasbang, or Billy Mathews, to have atumble-down fist-fight in the dirt with you. If you forget your dignity,I do not," the Don replied, again trying to go towards his house.
Darrell again placed his horse in front to intercept his road, and said,livid with rage:
"And why didn't you think of your dignity when you paraded your daughter(like a pretty filly for sale) before my son, to get his money! Damnyou! can't I make you fight? Won't you be insulted, you coward? I'llpublish your cowardice all over California."
So saying, he lifted his whip and struck a severe blow at the Don.Quickly, at the same instant, Victoriano and Everett had dashed theirhorses between, and the blow fell right upon the backs of the two youngmen.
This act of devotion was scarcely necessary, for as Darrell lifted hiswhip, and before it fell down, Don Mariano touched his horse with onespur only, giving a quick touch to the reins to one side. The horsejumped aside, sat on his haunches for an instant, half-crouching,half-rearing, and in a second he was up again. Don Mariano smiled atDarrell's clumsy horsemanship, conscious of being able to ride him downand all around him before the belligerent squatter could tell what washappening. Still smiling, the Don rode slowly away. Darrell followedclose, and again lifted his whip to strike, but instantaneously he feltas if he had been struck by lightning, or as if an aerolite had fallenupon him. His arm fell powerless by his side, and an iron hoop seemed toencircle him. He looked down to his breast surprised, and there the coilof a _reata_ held him in an iron grip, and he could not move. He lookedabout him amazed, and saw that the other end of the _reata_ was neatlywound around the pommel of Gabriel's saddle, and that young gentlemansat quietly on his horse, as if waiting Mr. Darrell's orders to move,his handsome face a little pale, but quite composed.
"Go home and bring me my pistols, Webster. I'll fix this brood ofgreasers," said Darrell, half choked with rage and the tight embrace ofthe _reata_.
Webster hesitated, and looked towards his brother for advice. Everettwinked, and Webster understood at once that Everett meant that he shouldgo, but bring no pistols. He galloped off towards home.
The horse that Darrell was riding was the mate of the one that Websterrode, so that when he saw his partner go off towards home, he thought hemust do the same, and followed. As the reins hung loosely upon his neck,he naturally supposed that he was to follow at the pace his companionwent, so he started at a gallop to catch up with Webster.
Thus now began a most ridiculous steeple-chase going home. Darrell couldnot check his horse or do anything but hold to the pommel of his saddle,his arms being pinioned to his body. Gabriel, fearing to let go the_reata_, which, if loosened, might entangle the horse, and thus pull theold man off his saddle, followed, maintaining the _reata_ at an even,gentle tension, carefully keeping at the same distance. Victoriano andEverett saw nothing to do but follow, trying to get near Darrell tocatch him in case he should lose his balance going over the rough groundof the plowed field.
The two Indian _vaqueros_ after putting their cattle in the _corral_,came down to inquire for further orders, and seeing the race going on,they thought they could join in, too. So, putting spurs to their horses,they began to run and shout in high glee. Noticing that the patron, DonGabriel, held a _reata_ in his hands, the _lazo_ end of which wasattached to Darrell, they thought that for sport Don Gabriel had thrownthe _lazo_ on the old squatter. Having come to this conclusion, theybegan to shout and hurrah with renewed vigor.
"Apa! viejo escuata o cabestreas o te orcas," cried one.
"No le afloje patroncito Gabriel," said the other.
Now the ground being very rough, Darrell began to sway, as if losing hisbalance.
"Aprietate viejo! aprietate miralo! ya se ladea!" cried again one_vaquero_.
"Creo que el viejo escuata va chispo," said the other.
"Que es eso? A que vienen aca? Quien los convida? Callense la boca, nosean malcreados, Vallense!" said Victoriano, turning to them in greatindignation.
This rebuke and imperative order silenced them immediately, and notunderstanding why these gentlemen were having all that fun, and did notlaugh, nor wished any one else to laugh, quietly turned and went home.
Darrell's horse now came to a hollow made by the old bed of a brookwhere the road passed diagonally. To gallop down hill was too muchequestrianism for the pinioned rider; he began again to topple to oneside. Quick as a flash Victoriano darted forward, and grasping thebridle with one hand, caught with the other the body of Darrell, whichhaving entirely lost balance, was toppling over like a log.
Gabriel immediately gathering the _reata_ quickly in successive loops,all of which he hung on the pommel of his saddle, came to Darrell'sside.
"I'll take that _lazo_ off, Mr. Darrell, if you permit me," saidGabriel, very quietly, when Victoriano had straightened him on thesaddle, and he had again a perpendicular position.
"Yes, damn you, and you'll pay for it, too!" was Darrell's courteousreply.
"Very well, but don't be abusive. Use better language; and if you wantto fight I'll accommodate you whenever you wish, with any weapons,except the tongue," Gabriel answered.
"I suppose you think a _lazo_ is a very genteel weapon. It is goodenough for cowardly, treacherous greasers," said the irate Darrell,eager to be as insulting as possible.
"And to subdue wild cattle," Gabriel added. "I threw my _lazo_ on you tokeep you from striking my father. He was unarmed, and you made a brutalattack upon him with a heavy mule whip. I would _lazo_ you again fiftytimes, or any other man, under the same circumstances. If you think itwas cowardly to do so, I will prove to you at any time that I was notprompted by cowardice. Vict
oriano, loosen the _reata_ off Mr. Darrell'sarms."
Victoriano dismounted, and endeavored to loosen the tight noose, but itwas so firmly drawn that he could not move it. Everett came to hisassistance, but he, too, failed.
"I cannot loosen the noose without hurting Mr. Darrell," saidVictoriano, giving up the task.
Gabriel dismounted, and examined the noose carefully. He shook his head,saying:
"No, sir; we cannot loosen that _reata_ while you are sitting down. Wewill have to put you on your feet, Mr. Darrell, and you will be slimmerthen. Thus by collapsing a little the loop will lose the tension thatkeeps it tight."
"Come on, Mr. Darrell, Retty and I will let you down nicely," saidVictoriano.
"Lean on me, father," said Everett, but as he held up his arms towardshis father, he became convulsed with laughter. Victoriano was laughing,too, so heartily, that Darrell was afraid to trust his weight into theirhands.
"For shame, Victoriano, to be so discourteous," said Gabriel,reprovingly--his handsome features perfectly serious.
But Victoriano had suppressed his desire to laugh too long, and now hisrisibility was beyond control. Everett was overcome in the same manner,so that he hung on Victoriano's shoulder, shaking with ill-suppressedlaughter.
"Mr. Darrell, be not afraid to trust to my strength, I am slender, but Iam stronger than I look. Lean your weight on me slowly, and I'll takeyou off your horse while those boys laugh," Gabriel said, putting up hishands for Darrell to lean on them.
"I think we had better go home first," he said.
"No, sir. It will be painful for Mrs. Darrell to see you as you are, andthen you ought to have that _reata_ off now, quickly. It will sickenyou."
"Yes, I feel a very strange sort of cold feeling."
Gabriel was afraid that impeded circulation might make the old manfaint, so he said:
"Come, Mr. Darrell, quick."
He slipped off one stirrup, then quickly went around slipped off theother, and pulled Darrell to him gently. Down like a felled tree camethe old fighter, almost bearing Gabriel down to the ground. Everett andVictoriano, checking their laughter somewhat, lent their assistance tohold him up, and as he had begun to look bluish, they saw the necessityof establishing the old man's circulation. While Everett and Victorianoheld him up, Gabriel loosened the coil, rubbing briskly and hard thebenumbed arms to start circulation by friction, moving them up and down.
"Can you get on your horse now?" Gabriel asked, after Darrell had movedhis arms several times.
"Yes, I think I can," he said, looking towards his house. A new shadowpassed over his face.
Webster was coming back, leading his horse. Would he bring pistols? No.His mother was walking with him. Mrs. Darrell saluted the Alamares, andthey lifted their hats respectfully in response. Webster had told herall that had happened, and she understood everything, excepting thesteeple-chase performance. She had seen all running behind her husband,but she did not know that the chase was most involuntary on his part.Seeing them stop for so long a time in the hollow she thought he hadfallen.
"What is the matter, William? Did you fall?"
"No. And if I had, you couldn't pick me up. What did you come out herefor?" was the characteristic answer.
"Because, not seeing you when down in this hollow I feared you werehurt, but since it is only foolish anger that ails you, I need not wastemy sympathy," she said in her sweet, low voice--which Clarence insistedalways was like Mercedes' voice, having that same musical vibration, sopleasing to the ear and sure to go straight to the heart.
"Mrs. Darrell, allow me to assure you that all this trouble came mostunexpectedly to us. We don't know what caused it, but no matter what thecause may be, I certainly could do nothing else than prevent anybodyfrom striking my father," Gabriel said.
"Certainly, Don Gabriel, you did your duty. I do not blame you--no oneof you--at all. Express my regrets to your father, please. I am grievedto the heart about this," she said, and there was a sad note in hertones, which plainly told that her expressions of regret were but tootrue.
"I will tell my father what you say, and let us hope that the cause ofall this misunderstanding may be explained," Gabriel replied.
"I hope so," she said, offering her hand to him, which he took andpressed warmly.
When Darrell saw that friendly demonstration, he turned his back uponall, and muttering that he was "to be made the scape-goat of all,"walked home.
Mrs. Darrell then asked Gabriel to explain everything to her, which hedid, while she listened to him very attentively.
"If you only had heard what those squatters said, and prevented fatherfrom riding out," Everett exclaimed.
Mrs. Darrell sighed, shook hands with the Alamares, and, followed by hersons, walked home.