第22章

"Look yer, Don Kosay," he began in a brusque but guarded voice, "you and me is pards.When ye picked me and the mare up and set us on our legs again in this yer ranch, I allowed I'd tie to ye whenever you was in trouble--and wanted me.And I reckon that's what's the matter now.For from what I see and hear on every side, although you're the boss of this consarn, you're surrounded by a gang of spies and traitors.Your comings and goings, your ins and outs, is dogged and followed and blown upon.The folks you trust is playing it on ye.It ain't for me to say why or wherefore-- what's their rights and what's yourn--but I've come to tell ye that if you don't get up and get outer this ranch them d--d priests and your own flesh and blood--your aunts and your uncles and your cousins, will have you chucked outer your property, and run into a lunatic asylum.""Me--Don Jose Sepulvida--a lunatico! You are yourself crazy of drink, friend Roberto.""Yes," said Roberto grimly, "but that kind ain't ILLEGAL, while your makin' ducks and drakes of your property and going into 'Merikin ideas and 'Merikin speculations they reckon is.And speakin' on the square, itain't NAT'RAL."

Don Jose sprang to his feet and began to pace up and down his cell- like study."Ah, I remember now," he muttered, "I begin to comprehend: Father Felipe's homilies and discourses! My aunt's too affectionate care! My cousin's discreet consideration!The prompt attention of my servants! I see it all! And you," he said, suddenly facing Roberto, "why come you to tell me this?""Well, boss," said the American dryly, "I reckoned to stand by you." "Ah," said Don Jose, visibly affected."Good Roberto, come hither,child, you may kiss my hand."

"If! it's all the same to you, Don Kosay,--THAT kin slide.""Ah, if--yes," said Don Jose, meditatively putting his hand to his forehead, "miserable that I am!--I remembered not you were Americano.Pardon, my friend--embrace me--Conpanero y Amigo."With characteristic gravity he reclined for a moment upon Robert's astonished breast.Then recovering himself with equal gravity he paused, lifted his hand with gentle warning, marched to a recess in the corner, unhooked a rapier hanging from the wall, and turned to his companion.

"We will defend ourselves, friend Roberto.It is the sword of the Comandante--my ancestor. The blade is of Toledo.""An ordinary six-shooter of Colt's would lay over that," said Roberto grimly--"but that ain't your game just now, Don Kosay.You must get up and get, and at once.You must vamose the ranch afore they lay hold of you and have you up before the alcalde.Once away from here, they daren't follow you where there's 'Merikin law, and when you kin fight 'em in the square.""Good," said Don Jose with melancholy preciseness."You are wise, friend Roberto.We may fight them later, as you say--on the square, or in the open Plaza.And you, camarado, YOU shall go with me--you and your mare."Sincere as the American had been in his offer of service, he was somewhat staggered at this imperative command.But only for a moment."Well," he said lazily, "I don't care if I do.""But," said Don Jose with increased gravity, "you SHALL care, friendRoberto.We shall make an alliance, an union.It is true, my brother, you drink of whiskey, and at such times are even as a madman.It has been recounted to me that it was necessary to your existence that you are a lunatic three days of the week.Who knows? I myself, though I drink not of aguardiente, am accused of fantasies for all time.Necessary it becomes therefore that we should go TOGETHER.My fantasies and speculations cannot injure you, my brother; your whiskey shall not empoison me.We shall go together in the great world of your American ideas of which I am much inflamed.We shall together breathe as one the spirit of Progress and Liberty.We shall be even as neophytes making of ourselves Apostles of Truth.I absolve and renounce myself henceforth of my family.I shall take to myself the sister and the brother, the aunt and the uncle, as we proceed.I devote myself to humanity alone.I devote YOU, my friend, and the mare--though happily she has not a Christian soul--to this glorious mission."The few level last rays of light lit up a faint enthusiasm in the face of Don Jose, but without altering his imperturbable gravity.The vaquero eyed him curiously and half doubtfully.

"We will go to-morrow," resumed Don Jose with solemn decision, "for it is Wednesday.It was a Sunday that thou didst ride the mare up the steps of the Fonda and demanded that thy liquor should be served to thee in a pail.I remember it, for the landlord of the Fonda claimed twenty pesos for damage and the kissing of his wife.Therefore, by computation, good Roberto, thou shouldst be sober until Friday, and we shall have two clear days to fly before thy madness again seizes thee.""They kin say what they like, Don Kosay, but YOUR head is level," returned the unabashed American, grasping Don Jose's hand."All right, then. Hasta manana, as your folks say.""Hasta manana," repeated Don Jose gravely.

At daybreak next morning, while slumber still weighted the lazy eyelids of "the Blessed Innocents," Don Jose Sepulvida and his trusty squire Roberto, otherwise known as "Bucking Bob," rode forth unnoticed from the corral.