Friday. July 12. 1940 SOUTHERN OREGON MINER Paqe 6 OF © Frank H. Spearman WNU Service in their California living rooms. Or Bowie was nettled. “Far from It. Illg their horses, walked them up perhaps the aversion was born of He needed sn ambassador, as you the hill toward the Texans. From Don Alfredo, wealthy. Spanish owner sad experience with Yankee-dyed call it. who could cut through half a the appearance and apparel of the ot a Southern California rancho, refute» fabrics, their colors too perishable dozen Indian tribes athirst for am­ two. Bowie judged them to be mas­ to heed several warning» of a raid by a band of outlaws, Sierra Indians One day for the honest sunshine of the Pacific bassadors' scalps; who could negoti­ ter and servant, the servant riding after he has linaUy decided to seek the slope. ate a thousand miles of hell's des­ somewhat behind. protection of the nearby mission for his “Buenas noches, amigos," said erts and climb half a dozen Sierra When Larkin entered the room wife and family, the Indians strike. Don Alfredo is killed and his two young Bowie introduced himself and his ranges and swim forty or fifty riv­ the leading horseman in salute. daughters are torn from the arms of the companions. "Mr. Larkin, you know ers with a mule, just for exercise; Bowie held up his hand deprecating- family's faithful maid. Monica, and are carried away to the hills. Padre Pas­ General Sam Houston?" suggested who could get fat on lizards, frogs, ly “No habla español," he ex­ qual. missionary friend of the family, the Texan. bugs and leather belts, and drink arrives at the ruins of the ranch and claimed. rising and realizing at once blue sky for water. ” "By reputation, yes. Do you come learns the story of the raid from Monica After a trying and difficult trip across from him?" Dr. Doane listened without betray­ that he had a gentleman to deal the plains and mountains from Texas to "I come from him. Mr. Larkin, ing all he felt at Bowie's Impatient with. California, youthful Henry Bowte. a Tex­ “Ahl Rusos?” asked the Califor­ as adventurer, with his friends. Ben we've broken away from the greas­ outburst nian pleasantly. Pardaloe and Simmie. an Indiui scout, ers down our way. We're flying our "You’ve seen service.” blurted sight the party of Indians who have car­ Bowie understood that much He ried off the two little girls The three own flag in Texas I'm here just to out Doane one day. He was exam- shook his head. Texans attack the war party of flfty-odd learn what I can snd report back to ining some scars on his patient's “No?” Questioned the horseman Indians and through a clever ruse scat­ torso. “For s boy of nineteen ter the savages to the hills The girls the man that sent me." again. "Then Yanquis?” are saved The group makes its way Larkin studied his visitor closely. you've been busy. Where did you Again Bowie comprehended but out of the hills and meets the distraught “What are your credentials. Mr do your fighting, son?” Monica, the children's maid The girls denied more vigorously are left with Monica and the friendly Bowie?" he asked. “Well, we've had several little “Que mas?” asked the puzzled Padre at a mission. “All in my head. I was directed brushes with the greasers. You’ve stranger, though still politely. to speak to you and make no move heard of our troubles along the Rto Still shaking his head. Bowie tried without your sanction. Had I brought Grande. Santa Ana kept us on the CHAPTER V—Continued any writing with me and been caught run a while. But for every Texan to explain. “Sorry, but I can't speak Spanish." •'And a brief word to the mision­ by the greasers it would have gone he slaughtered at the Alamo, and “Hol Americanos!" hard. By pulling together. Mr for every Texan murdered at Goli ­ eros on the way. so that if you are "Texans!" exclaimed Bowie with Larkin, Texans and Californians ad. we ’ ve taken toll. I followed Sam sick you shall be cared for. It you emphasis. “Not Yankees.” are hungry you shall be fed, and for can establish an empire that will “Ah, I understand!” reach from the Gulf of Mexico to the your repose you shall have a place “You speak English?” Gulf of California. That's what some to sleep.” continued the padre. “A little, señor. I have heard of of our people have got in their Bowie felt overcome. "It is too your Texans. Brave fellows even heads. That's the reason I'm in much.” was all he could urge. though they do not get on with their California." "Far from enough for what you Mexican brothers." He waited for Larkin ’ s response have done. Since you have done it Again Bowie dissented vigorous- The latter hesitated some mo­ for these, His little ones, my son. “Not brothers, señor!" you have done it for Him. What ments. When he spoke his attitude The don was not to be ruffled was not unfriendly but plainly it religion have you?” "Neighbors, then. If you like.” he was not enthusiastic. "Padre. I started right But how suggested good-naturedly. "Things are very different with could I have any left after living all "Neighbors, señor. But for Tex­ us here in California from what my life on the frontier, far from all ans. bad neighbors.” religion? As a boy I slept on the they were in Texas when you start­ The visitor shrugged his shoul­ plains and fought Indians and rode ed your fight Most of our white ders. “Have it as you will, amigo men are not greasers, as you call with cattle ..." A Mexican, of course, might tell He did not finish—he felt he might them. They are of Spanish blood, another story But you are, besides just as white as you and L These say too much. Texans, travelers and evidently pre­ big land grants near here — anyway, "You leave me most grateful, paring to spend the night al fresco. Padre.” he added, “yet with but in several cases that I know of— This gives me some concern be­ come direct from the king of Spain. one sore need." cause it is certain to rain before When you talk about changing the "What is that?" morning, and rain will find you much flag you've got to deal with Califor "Powder and ball Padre. We exposed And when it rains here It nianos of that kind of blood—and let need some protection from savages is likely to rain—what do they say me tell you. they hate the Yankees and wild animals. OS in Texas?—pitchforks." like poison. They are the kindest- "You shall have both. But you hearted. most generous people in the While the Californian spoke he sat will take no human life except in world, but the don't want to get his horse with the ease of one sea defense of your own—do you prom­ mixed up with Russians or English soned to the high-peaked Spanish ise me that?” or Yankees. T.iey are proud, and saddle. His trappings were elabo­ "I promise.” they are gentlemen, and they are rate; the eyes of the two scouts were “Padre.” added Bowie gravely. very independent So you see what glued on them Saddle and bridle "I’d like to ask one question.” little there is in any situation here, were richly chased in silver. "What is that, my son?” just at present. to interest General Bowie, without overlooking these "May I ask your name?” Houston. Houston through. He gave me a things of interest, paid closer at­ tention to the horseman himself. He "Padre Vicente Pasqual.” "At the same time you will see, captain’s furbelow." ••Are there many men in Califor­ if you stay a while, as I strongly "But there’s no peace down there was young and dandified it was just his unaffected good nature that advise you to do. that things are now. is there?” nia like you?" e “Not so many as there used to kind of— well, say—unsettled here, Bowie smiled, “Not so you could checked in the rough-and-ready be. There are now but few Fran­ just as they are down your way. notice it It’s guerilla fighting a Bowie any feeling of resentment at There's no denying that What's go­ good deal of the time along the bor- his highly particular rig. ciscan padres in Alta California.” Bowie looked sheepish. “I didn't ing to come out of it no man can der. His hat. with its low crown and The greasers are busy tn mean exactly th^t. Padre. I meant, tell much better than you can. bunches all the time, and our rang­ broad. straight, severe brim, 3owie offered a few of his own ers cut up once in a while. But no seemed in keeping with the dignity are there many men who would do for a stranger what you are doing thoughts. “I'm beginning to like this other man in California knows that of the wearer His aspect was dark, for me? If there are, 1 d uke to country. I'm going to stay a while, much about me. So forget, it but his mustachios, the most com­ meet more of them. Or better, be anyway. I'd like to live among the please.” manding of his rather small fea­ fixed myself to do something for kind of people you describe. But tures. were of contrasting lighter I'll admit right off, I'm death on color and lent something agreeable them.” CHAPTER VI greasers and Indians.” to the frank, open expression of his The streets of Monterey were eyes. His voice, as he chatted, was Bowie disappeared from Califor- pleasant. alive with strange-looking men— “Well. boys, we’re here.” re- men from every quarter of the globe marked Bowie that evening to I his nia as silently as he had come to The youth wore a short dark bo­ —when Bowie, fo lowed by his star­ two scouts "There’s nothing to it; but he did not forget the Irish lero jacket heavily embroidered in In fact, eight years later silver and knee breeches edged be­ ing scouts, sought the office of take us back to Texas till we I look doctor Thomas O. Larkir. respected citizen around. And inasmuch as the sov- Bowie appeared once more at the low with silver lace. His soft buck­ of Monterey. ereign republic of Texas has not door of Doane's office with as little skin leggings were highly but pleas­ Frontiersmen, removed from their supplied its ambass&Jors with •ny ceremony as if be had left it the ingly stamped with the fanciful de­ habitat of desert, valley and moun­ funds, we’ll have to forge along, day before. There was laughing vices of a Mexican artisan, From tain and thrown into city streets, are best we can. We’ve got our rifles and greeting; then something close head to foot he presented a picture as confused as children. The Tex­ and. thanks to old Padre Pasqual. a to a fight Bowie, about to take his of distinction and detail, yet he was ans themselves were objects of curi­ little powder. You can see for your­ leave after a happy hour of talk, quite simple in manner. osity to other men of the capital. selves. boys, there’s plenty of game threw a bag of coin on the table. "I see," said the Californian pres­ Their garb, in part Californian, in this country for everybody; I The doctor's ear was alert to the ently. "You are hunters." clink. "What's this, son? ” reckon nobody will object to our tak ­ thanks to the kindness of the mis­ 'That’s why we are heading for “Souvenirs of the Rio Grande. sioned, and in part reflecting the ing our share.” the hills," explained Bowie, "to Doctor. ” hardships of the desert trail; their Bowie’s wound in his shoulder, bring in some game—and,” he added long-barreled and carefully earned long neglected, called urgently for a "Hold on. Keep your souvenirs, jokingly, "among other things, to — •• rifles and powder horns; and the surgeon’s care. The American fron­ ton. buy some salt.” long deep-sheathed knives suspend­ tiersman never gave a wound much 'They are to cicatrize that old In­ "I love to hunt," returned the don. ed from their belts were a novelty attention; he bad, without asking, dian wound. Doctor.” "And nothing I like better than the to the naval officers, the seafaring the best of remedial agents at hand: "That old wound is outlawed. So hunter’s supper out in the open, like Yankees, the Mexican supernumer­ the pure air of the plains and moun­ is the fee. I never want to bear of this. In fact, I confess it was envy aries and the rancheros who. ever tains and the hardiest of constitu­ either again. I mean it" that turned me up this way when I averse to walking, rode richly ca- tions. Neglect, not care, was the "So do I mean it. Doctor.” saw the file and the party, though parisoned horses up and down the rule for any wound not completely The words grew warm. Both were I was far from being in hunter's narrow streets. disabling. inflexible. It was finally agreed to rig myself.” Bowie himself, though more so- But Bowie had for once relied too leave the Spanish doubloons in the "Where,” asked Bowie, "did you phisticated than his scouts, found much on nature unaided and at Mon­ doctor’s safe in suspense, and after learn so much English?” much to gaze at His eye swept terey was obliged to seek a sur­ a bottle of wine and a lunch at Da "I have a sister married to a Bos­ the beautiful harbor. Within it lay geon. Fortunately for him a good Guerre’s the old cordiality—which ton man, a ship-owner. I had two a coasting vessel from San Blas, a one was at hand; Larkin introduced had never really been impaired— years at Georgetown University.” Lower California port A shrewd- Bowie to him. reasserted itself. "Georgetown! I had one year looking Yankee trader with sails in­ Dr. Doane was an Irishman and "So you’ve come back.” mused there myself," said Bowie. "May 1 nocently furled, trim snd fast sail­ justly proud of it, and he took an the doctor, "Glad you had that ask your name?” ing, doubtless hailed from Boston. A Irishman's fancy to Bowie. much sense, Henry, this is the gar- clipper-built ship from Hong Kong “Francisco Estradillo; and yours, The doctor was a good prober, den spot of the world. What are and the Sandwich Islands lay under señor?” both physically and mentally. He you going to do?" the bluff, and. most interesting of "Henry Bowie. I’m a long way "I don’t know yet I’ve heard from Texas. This is Ben Pardaloe, all to the young Texan, a United had been a world traveler and was a man of parts. talk of a man up the river who and this is Simmie." States sloop of war. rocked by a “I suppose I ought to say. Doc­ built a little fort up there and is deal­ gentle swell, surveyed the harbor Francisco nodded. "My uncle, tor," began Bowie, “that I haven’t, ing in furs. I’ve got the same scouts Don Ramon Estrada, lives not far scene from a dignified distance. The coaster brought soldiers, just at present, got a cent in the with me. They’re trappers and want from here—about ten miles. I am to look the thing over. The man up visiting him. You are on his rancho. freight and dispatches from Mexico, world.” “Did I say anything about mon­ there is a Swiss and I hear him You tell me you are hunting. Day and passengers from San Diego, San Pedro and Santa Barbara. The Yan­ ey?” demanded Doane sharply. well spoken of.” after tomorrow we are to have a kee trader brought merchandise for “Take off your shirt” The following day Bowie traded hunt at the rancho. You should join After some weeks Bowie com­ in the travel-worn horses of the us. Comet Why sleep out tonight? sale to merchants of Monterey and Yerba Buena, for barter with Cali­ plained that the doctor’s treatment long trail for fresh stock. In the Come with me to Don Ramon’s.’* fornia rancheros and the missions was taking a good deal of Uiz afternoon, with his two scouts, Par­ of Santa Clara, San Francisco de (Doane’s) time. daloe and Simmie, Bowie headed The Estrada rancho, a royal "Young man, you ought to be north for Sutter's place up the riv­ grant, embraced a tract eleven Asis and San Jose. The Yankee clipper brought from the Orient the thanking God you haven’t lost an er. They traveled light, meaning to leagues by eleven leagues. The two- silken stuffs of Cathay for the fur­ arm instead of talking about the depend on their rifles for food in a story ranch house crowned the brow to ther adornment -qf women already time it has taken to save it,1 country rich in game. of a gentle rise in the fertile Santa so notable in beauty, dignity and snapped Doane. “You Texans, 1 They camped early in the evening Clara Valley and looked toward the charm that they dazzled the im­ hear, are a quick-trigger lot But on a hillside near a clump of live distant heights of Santa Ysabel. agination of every traveler who vis­ some things take time. How do you oaks, and while Pardaloe skinned a To the north of the ranch house a ited California and attempted to de­ like California? What brought you rabbit, one of a brace he had group of buildings sheltered the In­ scribe its women. The sloop of war out here? Why do you talk about brought in for the evening meal, dian servants and the vaqueros. was there for a purpose; but a pur­ going back to Texas?” Simmie cut up the other and Bowie Don Francisco did not escape a The doctor asked questions in built a Are. A stone’s throw below wetting It was raining hard when pose unknown to any not in the coun­ bunches. Bowie was slow in giving where they had camped, a well- he rode with his three Texans up to cils of the very elect. Bowie found Larkin at his home his confidence, but he finally did so. marked trail wound around the brow the ranch house and, first of ail, de­ and was received in the darkened Doane was immensely Interested, of the hill, and while they broiled spite the downpour, looked up quar­ parlor. Perhaps the Spanish-speak­ but he took Larkin's view of Hous- their meat, impaled over the Are ters for his guests. Pardaloe and ing women of California had an in­ ton’s dream. on pointed sticks, two horsemen ap­ Simmie he lodged with the vaqueros. "And why did he send you out peared on the trail below herited fear of sunshine, for even In the Bowie he took with him to his own after a century of expatriation from here as ambassador? Are you in the dusk of the evening these men saw room in the ranch house. Spain and Mexico they still fear it general's cabinet?” asked the doctor. the glow of the small fire and, turn- (TO BE CONTINUED HCW t Q SEW Ruth Wyeth Spears SYNOPSIS C • ' CHAIR PAINIII) DARK ji DOWN I SR‘lN W"M 6H,tN I ANDWHI1E CUSHIONS A 1OV- HEAVY SACK not pt tnough of thru the Department of Agriculture, do hralth uuntialt to fttl their bat! The best way to be sure of getting all the vitamin C you normally need is to drink an 8-ounce glass of fresh orange juice with breakfast every morning. You also re­ ceive vita mini A, and G and the minerals cakium, phot- phorut and iron. 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