Rezanov

  XVIII

  There was no performance after all in the Presidio square that night,for the bear brought in from the hills to do honor to the Russians diedof excitement, and it rained besides. Rezanov made the storm hisexcuse for not dining and dancing as usual at the house of theCommandante. But the relations between the Presidio and the Junoduring the next few days were by no means strained. Davidov andKhostov were always with the Spanish officers, drinking and cardplaying, or improving their dancing and Spanish with the girls, whoseguitars were tuned for the waltz day and night. The dignitaries met asusual and conversed on all topics save those paramount in the minds ofeach. Nevertheless, there were three significant facts as well knownto Rezanov as had they been aired to his liking.

  He had sought an interview with Father Abella, and tactfully ignoringthe question of his marriage, had persuaded that astute and influentialpriest to make the proposition regarding his cargo that Concha hadsuggested. The priest, backed by his three coadjutors, had made it,and been repulsed with fury. From another quarter Rezanov learned thatduring his absence little else was discussed in the house of theCommandante save his formidable matrimonial project, and the supposeddesigns to his country. Troops had been ordered from the south toreinforce the San Francisco garrisons, and were even now massed atSanta Clara, within a day's march of the bay.

  About a mile from the Presidio and almost opposite the Juno's anchoragewere six great stone tubs sunken in the ground and filled by a springof clear water. Here, once a week, the linen, fine and heavy, of Fortand Presidio was washed, the stoutest serving women of households andbarracks meeting at dawn and scrubbing for half a day. Rezanov hadwatched the bright picture they made--for they wore a bit of every huethey could command--with a lazy interest, which quickened to thirstwhen he heard that they were the most reliable newsmongers in thecountry. In every Presidial district was a similar institution, andthe four were known as the "Wash Tub Mail." Many of the women wereselected by the tyrants of the tubs for their comeliness, and each hada lover in the couriers that went regularly with mail and officialinstructions from one end of the Californias to the other. Allimportant news was known first by these women, and much was discussedover the tubs that was long in reaching higher but no less interestedcircles; and domestic bulletins were as eagerly prized. The sailorthat brought this information to Rezanov was a good-looking andsusceptible youth, already the victim of an Indian maiden from thehandsome tribe in the Santa Clara Valley, and sister of Dona Ignacia'sMalia. Rezanov furnished him with beads and other trinkets and was atno disadvantage thereafter.

  There was nothing Rezanov would have liked better than to see a Russianfleet sail through the straits, but he also knew that nothing was lesslikely, and that from such rumors he should only derive furtherannoyance and delay. Two of his sailors deserted at the prospect ofwar, and his hosts, if neutral, were manifestly alert. Luis andSantiago had been obliged to go to Monterey for a few days, and therewas no one at the Presidio in whom Rezanov could confide either hisimpatience to see Concha or at the adjournment of his more prosaic butno less pressing interests. These two young men had been with himalmost constantly since his arrival, and demonstrated their friendshipand even affection unfailingly; but there was no love lost betweenhimself and Gervasio. This young hidalgo had the hauteur and intensefamily pride of Santiago without his younger brother's frankintelligence and lingering ingenuousness. With all the superiority andinferiority, he had made himself so unpopular that his real kindness ofheart atoned for his absurdities only with those that knew him best.Rezanov was not one of these nor aspired to be. Like all highlyseasoned men of the world, he had no patience with the small vanitiesof the provincial, and although diplomatically courteous to all, in hispresent precarious position, he had taken too little trouble toconciliate Gervasio to find him of use in the absence of his friends.

  At the end of three days Rezanov had forgotten his cargo, and wouldhave sent the Juno to the bottom for ten minutes alone with Concha. Hehad been on fire with love of her since the moment of his actualsurrender, and he was determined to have her if there were no otherrecourse but elopement. All his old and intense love of personalfreedom had melted out of form in the crucible of his lover'simagination. That he should have doubted for a moment that Concha wasthe woman for whom his soul had held itself aloof and unshackled was amatter for contemptuous wonder, and the pride he had taken in his keenand swift perceptive faculties suffered an eclipse. Mind and soul andbody he was a lover, a union unknown before.

  On the fourth morning, his patience at an end, he was about to leavethe Juno to demand a formal interview with Don Jose when he saw Luisand Santiago dismount at the beach and enter the canoe always inwaiting. A few moments later they had helped themselves to cigarettesfrom the gift of the Tsar and were assuring Rezanov of theirpartisanship and approval.

  "We were somewhat taken aback at the first moment," Luis admitted."But--well, we are both in love--Santiago no less than I, although Ihave had these six long years of waiting and am likely to have another.And we love Concha as few men love their sisters, for there is no onelike her--is it not so, Rezanov? And we quite understand why she haschosen you, and why she stands firm, for we know the strength of hercharacter. We would that you were a Catholic, but even so, we will notsit by and see her life ruined, and we have called to assure you thatwe shall use all our influence, every adroit argument, to bring ourparents to a more reasonable frame of mind. They have already risenabove the first natural impulse of selfishness, and would consent tothe inevitable separation were you only a Catholic. I have also talkedwith the Governor--we arrived at midnight--and he flew into a terribletemper--the poor man is already like a mad bull at bay--but if myfather yielded, he would--on all points. This morning I shall rideover and talk with Father Abella, who, I fancy, needs only a littleextra pressure--you may be sure Concha has not been idle--to yield; andfor more reasons than one. I shall enlist Father Uria and Father de laCueva as well. They also have great influence with my parents, and asthey return to San Jose in two days to prepare for the visit of themost estimable Dr. Langsdorff, there is no time to lose. I shall gothis morning. One more cigarito, senor, and when that treaty is drawnremember the conversion of your brother to Russian tobacco."

  Rezanov thanked him so warmly, assured him with so convincing anemphasis that with his fate in such competent hands his mind was atpeace, that the ardent heart of the Californian exulted; Rezanov, withhis splendid appearance, and typical of the highest civilizations ofEurope, had descended upon his narrow sphere with the authority of ademigod, and he not only thirsted to serve him, but to fasten him toCalifornia with the surest of human bonds.

  As he dropped over the side of the ship, Rezanov's hand fell lightly onthe shoulder of Santiago.

  "I can wait no longer to see your sister," he whispered, mindful of thesterner responsibilities of the older brother. "Do you think youcould--"

  Santiago nodded. "While Luis is at the Mission I shall go to my cousinJuan Moraga's. You will dine with us at the Presidio, and I shallescort you back to the ship."