CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
THE HONEST MULETEER.
On the same day in which the student of theology arrived at the Haciendalas Palmas, and about four o'clock in the afternoon--just after the hourof dinner--the different members of the family, along with their guests,were assembled in one of the apartments of the mansion. It was thegrand _sala_ or reception room, opening by double glass doors upon agarden filled with flowering plants, and beautiful shade trees.
Two individuals, already known to the reader, were absent from thisreunion. One was the student himself, who, notwithstanding that he wasnow in perfect security, had so delivered himself up to the remembranceof the dangers he had encountered while reclining under his terribledais of tigers and serpents, that he had been seized with a violentfever, and was now confined to his bed.
The other absentee was Marianita, who, on pretext of taking a look atthe great ocean of waters--but in reality to ascertain whether the barkof Don Fernando was not yet in sight--had gone up to the _azotea_.
Don Mariano, with that tranquillity of mind, which the possession ofwealth usually produces--assuring the rich proprietor against thefuture--was seated in a large leathern _fauteuil_, smoking his cigar,and occasionally balancing himself on the hind legs of the chair.
Beside him stood a small table of ornamental wood, on which was placed acup of Chinese porcelain containing coffee. It was of the kind knownamong Spanish-Americans as _cafe de siesta_; on the principle, no doubt,_lucus a non lucendo_: since it is usually so strong that a single cupof it is sufficient to rob one of the power of sleep for a period of atleast twenty-four hours.
In the doorway opening into the garden stood Don Rafael, who appeared tobe watching the evolutions of the parroquets, amidst the branches of thepomegranates, with all the interest of a naturalist.
Though his countenance was calm, his heart was trembling at the thoughtof the _entretien_ he had proposed on bringing about.
Gertrudis, with head inclined, was seated near by, occupied with theembroidery of one of those scarfs of white cambric, which the Mexicangentlemen are accustomed to wear over their shoulders, after the fashionof the Arab burnouse, to protect them from the too fierce rays of thesun.
Despite the tranquil silence of the haciendado, at intervals a cloudmight have been observed upon his brow; while the pale countenance ofDon Rafael also exhibited a certain anxiety, belying the expression ofindifference which he affected.
The spirit of Gertrudis in reality was not more calm. A secret voicewhispered to her that Don Rafael was about to say something; and thatsame voice told her it was some sweet prelude of love. Nevertheless,despite the quick rush of her Creole blood, and the sudden quiveringthat rose from her heart to her cheeks, she succeeded in concealing herthoughts under that mask of womanly serenity which the eye of man is notsufficiently skilful to penetrate.
The only individual present whose countenance was in conformity with histhoughts, was the _arriero_--Don Valerio Trujano.
With hat in hand, and standing in front of the haciendado, he had cometo say _adios_, and thank Don Mariano for the hospitality his house hadafforded him.
To that easy gracefulness of manners common to all classes inSpanish-America, there was united in the person of the _arriero_ acertain imposing severity of countenance, which, however, he couldtemper at will by the aid of a pair of eyes of mild and benevolentexpression.
Notwithstanding that his social position was not equal to that of hishost--for Mexico had not yet become republican--Valerio Trujano was notregarded as an ordinary guest either by Don Mariano or his daughters.
Independent of his reputation for honesty beyond suspicion--for profoundpiety as well--which he enjoyed throughout the whole country, hepossessed other high qualities that had entitled him to universalesteem. The generosity and courage which he had exhibited on thepreceding evening--when assisting a stranger at the risk of his ownlife--had only added to the great respect already entertained for him bythe inmates of the Hacienda las Palmas.
Although the dragoon officer had in some measure requited the service,by afterwards snatching the _arriero_ from the jaws of the devouringflood, he did not on that account feel a whit less grateful. Neitherdid Gertrudis, who with her thoughts of love had already mingled herprayers for him, who had a just title to be called the saviour of DonRafael's life.
The man, Valerio Trujano, whose nature at a later period becameimmortalised by the siege of Huajapam, was at this time about fortyyears of age; but his fine delicate features, overshadowed by anabundance of glossy black hair, gave him the appearance of being muchyounger.
"Senor Don Mariano," said he, on coming into the presence of thehaciendado, "I have come to bid _adios_, and thank you for yourhospitality."
"What!" exclaimed Don Mariano, "surely you are not going to leave us sosoon? No, no."
Gertrudis at the same time expressed her unwillingness that he shoulddepart.
"I must leave you, Don Mariano," answered the _arriero_. "The man whohas business to attend to is not always his own master. When his heartimpels him to turn to the right, his affairs often carry him to theleft. He who is _in debt_, is still less master of himself."
"You owe a sum of money, then?" said Don Rafael, interrogatively, at thesame time advancing towards the _arriero_ and offering him his hand."Why could you not have told me of this? Whatever be the amount, I--"
"Ah! _cavallero_," interrupted Trujano, with a smile, "it is a bad planto borrow from one for the purpose of paying another. I could not thinkof accepting a loan. It is not from pride, but a sense of duty that Idecline your generous offer; and I hope you will not be offended. Thesum I owe is not a very heavy one--a few hundred dollars. Since it haspleased God that my mules should find a shelter in the stables of DonMariano, and thus escape the inundation, I can now take the road throughthe mountains to Oajaca, where the money I shall receive for my _recua_will, I hope, entirely clear me from debt."
"What!" cried Don Mariano, in a tone of surprise, "do you talk ofselling your mules--the only means you have of gaining your livelihood?"
"Yes," modestly replied the muleteer, "I intend selling them. I do soin order that I may be able to go where my vocation calls me. I shouldhave gone already; but being in debt up to this time, my life belongedto my creditors rather than to myself, and I had not the right to exposeit to danger."
"To expose your life?" interrogated Gertrudis, with an accent thatbespoke her interest in the brave man.
"Just so, Senorita," responded the _arriero_. "I have seen the heads ofLopez and Armenta exposed upon the high road of San Luis del Rey. Whoknows but that my own may soon figure beside them? I speak openly,"continued Trujano, looking round upon his audience, "and as if beforeGod. I know that my host, no more than God himself, would betray asecret thus confided to him."
"Of course not," rejoined Don Mariano, with an air of hospitablesimplicity such as characterised the earlier ages. "But here," hecontinued, "we are one and all of us devoted to the cause of ourcountry's liberty; and we shall pray for those who aid her in obtainingit."
"We shall do more than that," said Tres-Villas in his turn; "we shalllend our help to her. It is the duty of every Mexican who can wield asword and ride a horse."
"May all those who raise an arm in favour of Spain!" cried Gertrudis,her eyes flashing with patriotic enthusiasm, "may they be branded withinfamy and disgrace! may they find neither a roof to shelter them, nor awoman to smile upon them! may the contempt of those they love be thereward of every traitor to his country!"
"If all our young girls were like you," said Trujano, looking gratefullytowards Gertrudis, "our triumph would soon be attained. Where is theman who would not be proud to risk his life for one smile of your prettylips, Senorita, or one look from your beautiful eyes?"
As the _arriero_ said this, he glanced significantly towards the youngofficer. Gertrudis hung her head, happy at hearing this homage renderedto her beauty in presence of the man in whose eye
s she alone cared toappear beautiful.
After a pause Trujano continued: "_Dios y Libertad_! (God and Liberty!)that is my motto. Had I been in a condition sooner to take up the causeof my country, I should have done so--if only to restrain the excessesthat have already sullied it. No doubt you have heard of them, SenorDon Mariano?"
"I have," replied the haciendado; and the shadow that at that momentpassed over his brow told that the news had troubled him.
"The blood of innocent Spaniards has been shed," continued the muleteer,"men who had no ill-will towards our cause; and, shame to say, the onlyone in this our province who now carries the banner of the insurrectionis the worthless wretch, Antonio Valdez."
"Antonio Valdez!" cried Don Rafael, interrupting him. "Do you meanValdez, a _vaquero_ of Don Luis Tres-Villas--my father?"
"The same," replied Don Mariano. "May it please God to make himremember that his master always treated him with kindness!"
The air of uneasiness with which Don Mariano pronounced these words didnot escape Don Rafael.
"Do you think, then," said he, in a tone that testified his alarm, "doyou think that my father, whose liberal opinions are known to every one,is in any danger from the insurgents?"
"No, I hope not," replied Don Mariano. "Senor Valerio," said DonRafael, turning to interrogate the _arriero_; "do you know how many menthis fellow, Antonio Valdez, may have under his command?"
"Fifty, I have heard; but I think it likely his band may have beengreatly increased by accessions among the country-people--who havesuffered even more than those of the town from the oppressions of theSpaniards."
"Senor Don Mariano," said the officer, in a voice trembling withemotion, "nothing less than news similar to what I have just now heardcould have tempted me to abridge a sojourn under your roof, which Ishould have been only too happy to have prolonged; but when one's fatheris in danger--even to the risk of life--his son's place should be by hisside. Is it not so, Dona Gertrudis?"
On hearing the first words of Don Rafael's speech, which announced theintention of a precipitate departure, a cry of anguish had almostescaped from the lips of the young girl. With the heroism of a woman'sheart she had repressed it; and stood silent with her eyes fixed uponthe floor.
"Yes, yes!" murmured she, replying to Don Rafael's question in a low butfirm voice.
There was an interval of silence, during which a sort of sinisterpresentiment agitated the spirits of the four personages present. Thehomicidal breath of civil war was already commencing to make itself feltwithin the domestic circle.
Trujano was the first to recommence the conversation--his eyes gleamingas he spoke like one of the ancient prophets moved by Divineinspiration.
"This morning," said he, "an humble servant of the Most High, theobscure priest of a poor village, has left you to offer up his prayersfor the insurgent cause. And now an instrument, not less humble, by thewill of God takes leave of you to offer it his arm, and if need be, hislife. Pray for them! good and beautiful Madonna!" he continued,addressing himself to Gertrudis, and speaking with that religious andpoetical fervour which was the leading trait in his character; "pray forthem; and perhaps it will please the Almighty to show that from the verydust He can raise the power that may hurl the tyrant from his throne."
On saying these words, the _arriero_ respectfully pressed the hands thatwere held out to him, and then walked out of the _sala_, followed by DonMariano.