第3章
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  Winterpassed,andthesummercameThetrunksofmadrono,allaflame,HereandtherethroughtheunderwoodLikepillarsoffirestarklystood。

  AllofthebreezysolitudeWasfilledwiththespicingofpineandbayAndresinousodorsmixedandblended;

  Anddimandghostlike,faraway,Thesmokeoftheburningwoodsascended。

  Thenofasuddenthemountainsswam,Theriverspiledtheirfloodsinadam,TheridgeaboveLosGatosCreekArcheditsspineinafelinefashion;

  Theforestswaltzedtilltheygrewsick,AndNatureshookinaspeechlesspassion;

  And,swallowedupintheearthquake’sspleen,ThewonderfulSpringofSanJoaquinVanished,andnevermorewasseen!

  Twodayspassed:theMissionfolkOutoftheirrosydreamawoke;

  Someofthemlookedatriflewhite,Butthat,nodoubt,wasfromearthquakefright。

  Threedays:therewassoredistress,Headache,nausea,giddiness。

  Fourdays:faintings,tendernessOfthemouthandfauces;andinlessThanoneweek——herethestorycloses;

  Wewon’tcontinuetheprognosis——

  EnoughthatnownotraceisseenOfSpringorMissionofSanJoaquin。

  MORAL

  Youseethepoint?Don’tbetooquickTobreakbadhabits:betterstick,LiketheMissionfolk,toyourARSENIC。

  THEANGELUS

  (HEARDATTHEMISSIONDOLORES,1868)

  BellsofthePast,whoselong-forgottenmusicStillfillsthewideexpanse,TingeingthesobertwilightofthePresentWithcolorofromance!

  Ihearyourcall,andseethesundescendingOnrockandwaveandsand,AsdownthecoasttheMissionvoices,blending,Girdletheheathenland。

  WithinthecircleofyourincantationNoblightnormildewfalls;

  Norfierceunrest,norlust,norlowambitionPassesthoseairywalls。

  Borneontheswellofyourlongwavesreceding,ItouchthefartherPast;

  IseethedyingglowofSpanishglory,Thesunsetdreamandlast!

  Beforemerisethedome-shapedMissiontowers,ThewhitePresidio;

  Theswartcommanderinhisleathernjerkin,Thepriestinstoleofsnow。

  OncemoreIseePortala’scrossupliftingAbovethesettingsun;

  Andpasttheheadland,northward,slowlydrifting,Thefreightedgalleon。

  Osolemnbells!whoseconsecratedmassesRecallthefaithofold;

  Otinklingbells!thatlulledwithtwilightmusicThespiritualfold!

  Yourvoicesbreakandfalterinthedarkness,——

  Break,falter,andarestill;

  Andveiledandmystic,liketheHostdescending,Thesunsinksfromthehill!

  CONCEPCIONDEARGUELLO

  (PRESIDIODESANFRANCISCO,1800)

  I

  Lookingseaward,o’erthesand-hillsstandsthefortress,oldandquaint,BytheSanFranciscofriarsliftedtotheirpatronsaint,——

  Sponsortothatwondrouscity,nowapostatetothecreed,OnwhoseyouthfulwallsthePadresawtheangel’sgoldenreed;

  Allitstrophieslongsincescattered,allitsblazonbrushedaway;

  Andtheflagthatfliesaboveitbutatriumphofto-day。

  Neverscarofsiegeorbattlechallengesthewanderingeye,Neverbreachofwarlikeonsetholdsthecuriouspasser-by;

  OnlyonesweethumanfancyinterweavesitsthreadsofgoldWiththeplainandhomespunpresent,andalovethatne’ergrowsold;

  Onlyonethingholdsitscrumblingwallsabovethemeanerdust,——

  Listentothesimplestoryofawoman’sloveandtrust。

  II

  CountvonResanoff,theRussian,envoyofthemightyCzar,Stoodbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare。

  HewithgraveprovincialmagnateslonghadheldserenedebateOntheTreatyofAllianceandthehighaffairsofstate;

  HefromgraveprovincialmagnatesofthadturnedtotalkapartWiththeCommandante’sdaughteronthequestionsoftheheart,Untilpointsofgravestimportyieldedslowlyonebyone,AndbyLovewasconsummatedwhatDiplomacybegun;

  Tillbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,HereceivedthetwofoldcontractforapprovaloftheCzar;

  Tillbesidethebrazencannonthebetrothedbadeadieu,AndfromsallyportandgatewaynorththeRussianeaglesflew。

  III

  Longbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,DidtheywaitthepromisedbridegroomandtheansweroftheCzar;

  Daybydayonwallandbastionbeatthehollow,emptybreeze,——

  Daybydaythesunlightglitteredonthevacant,smilingseas:

  Weekbyweekthenearhillswhitenedintheirdustyleathercloaks,——

  Weekbyweekthefarhillsdarkenedfromthefringingplainofoaks;

  Tilltherainscame,andfarbreaking,onthefiercesouthwestertost,Dashedthewholelongcoastwithcolor,andthenvanishedandwerelost。

  Soeachyeartheseasonsshifted,——wetandwarmanddrearanddryHalfayearofcloudsandflowers,halfayearofdustandsky。

  Stillitbroughtnoshipnormessage,——broughtnotidings,illormeet,ForthestatesmanlikeCommander,forthedaughterfairandsweet。

  Yetsheheardthevaryingmessage,voicelesstoallearsbeside:

  \"Hewillcome,\"theflowerswhispered;\"Comenomore,\"thedryhillssighed。

  Stillshefoundhimwiththewatersliftedbythemorningbreeze,——

  Stillshelosthimwiththefoldingofthegreatwhite-tentedseas;

  Untilhollowschasedthedimplesfromhercheeksofolivebrown,Andattimesaswift,shymoisturedraggedthelongsweetlashesdown;

  Orthesmallmouthcurvedandquiveredasforsomedeniedcaress,Andthefairyoungbrowwasknittedinaninfantinedistress。

  ThenthegrimCommander,pacingwherethebrazencannonare,Comfortedthemaidwithproverbs,wisdomgatheredfromafar;

  Bitsofancientobservationbyhisfathersgarnered,eachAsapebblewornandpolishedinthecurrentofhisspeech:

  \"’Thosewhowaitthecomingridertraveltwiceasfarashe;’

  ’Tiredwenchandcomingbutterneverdidintimeagree;’

  \"’Hethatgettethhimselfhoney,thoughaclown,heshallhaveflies;’

  ’IntheendGodgrindsthemiller;’’Inthedarkthemolehaseyes;’

  \"’HewhosefatherisAlcaldeofhistrialhathnofear,’——

  AndbesuretheCounthasreasonsthatwillmakehisconductclear。\"

  Thenthevoicesententiousfaltered,andthewisdomitwouldteachLostitselfinfondesttriflesofhissoftCastilianspeech;

  Andon\"Concha\"\"Conchitita,\"and\"Conchita\"hewoulddwellWiththefondreiterationwhichtheSpaniardknowssowell。

  Sowithproverbsandcaresses,halfinfaithandhalfindoubt,Everydaysomehopewaskindled,flickered,faded,andwentout。

  IV

  Yearly,downthehillsidesweeping,camethestatelycavalcade,Bringingreveltovaquero,joyandcomforttoeachmaid;

  Bringingdaysofformalvisit,socialfeastandrusticsport,Ofbull-baitingontheplaza,oflove-makinginthecourt。

  VainlythenatConcha’slattice,vainlyastheidlewind,RosethethinhighSpanishtenorthatbespoketheyouthtookind;

  Vainly,leaningfromtheirsaddles,caballeros,boldandfleet,Pluckedforhertheburiedchickenfrombeneaththeirmustang’sfeet;

  Soinvainthebarrenhillsideswiththeirgayserapesblazed,——

  Blazedandvanishedinthedust-cloudthattheirflyinghoofshadraised。

  Thenthedrumcalledfromtherampart,andoncemore,withpatientmien,TheCommanderandhisdaughtereachtookupthedullroutine,——

  Eachtookupthepettydutiesofalifeapartandlone,Tilltheslowyearswroughtamusicinitsdrearymonotone。

  V

  Fortyyearsonwallandbastionsweptthehollowidlebreeze,SincetheRussianeagleflutteredfromtheCaliforniaseas;

  Fortyyearsonwallandbastionwroughtitsslowbutsuredecay,AndSt。George’scrosswasliftedintheportofMonterey;

  Andthecitadelwaslighted,andthehallwasgaylydrest,AlltohonorSirGeorgeSimpson,famoustravelerandguest。

  Farandnearthepeoplegatheredtothecostlybanquetset,AndexchangedcongratulationswiththeEnglishbaronet;

  Till,theformalspeechesended,andamidstthelaughandwine,SomeonespokeofConcha’slover,——heedlessofthewarningsign。

  QuicklythencriedSirGeorgeSimpson:\"Speaknoillofhim,Ipray!

  Heisdead。Hedied,poorfellow,fortyyearsagothisday,——

  \"DiedwhilespeedinghometoRussia,fallingfromafractioushorse。

  Leftasweetheart,too,theytellme。Married,Isuppose,ofcourse!

  \"Livessheyet?\"Adeathlikesilencefellonbanquet,guests,andhall,Andatremblingfigurerisingfixedtheawestruckgazeofall。

  Twoblackeyesindarkenedorbitsgleamedbeneaththenun’swhitehood;

  Blacksergehidthewastedfigure,bowedandstrickenwhereitstood。

  \"Livessheyet?\"SirGeorgerepeated。AllwerehushedasConchadrewCloseryethernun’sattire。\"Senor,pardon,shedied,too!\"

  \"FORTHEKING\"

  (NORTHERNMEXICO,1640)

  AsyoulookfromtheplazaatLeonwestYoucanseeherhouse,buttheviewisbestFromtheporchofthechurchwheresheliesatrest;

  Wheremuchofherpaststilllives,Ithink,InthescowlingbrowsandsidelongblinkOftheworshipingthrongthatriseorsinkTothewaxensaintsthat,yellowandlank,Leanoutfromtheirniches,rankonrank,WithabloodlessSaviouroneitherflank;

  Inthegoutypillars,whosecracksbeginToshowtheadobecorewithin,——

  Asoulofearthinawhitewashedskin。

  AndIthinkthatthemoralofall,you’llsay,IsthesculpturedlegendthatmouldsawayOnatombinthechoir:\"PorelRey。\"

  \"PorelRey!\"Well,thekingisgoneAgesago,andtheHapsburgoneShot——buttheRockoftheChurchliveson。

  \"PorelRey!\"Whatmatters,indeed,IfkingorpresidentsucceedToacountryhaggardwithslothandgreed,Aslongasonegranaryisfat,Andyonderpriest,inashovelhat,Peepsoutfromthebinlikeasleekbrownrat?

  Whatmatters?Naught,ifitservestobringThelegendnearer,——nootherthing,——

  We’llsparethemoral,\"Livetheking!\"

  Twohundredyearsago,theysay,TheViceroy,MarquisofMonte-Rey,Rodewithhisretinuethatway:

  Grave,asbefittedSpain’sgrandee;

  Grave,asthesubstituteshouldbeOfHisMostCatholicMajesty;

  Yet,fromhisblackplume’scurvinggraceTohisslimblackgauntlet’ssmallerspace,Exquisiteasapieceoflace!

  Twohundredyearsago——e’enso——

  TheMarquisstoppedwherethelime-treesblow,WhileLeon’sseneschalbenthimlow,AndbeggedthattheMarquiswouldthatnighttakeHishumblerooffortheroyalsake,Andthen,asthecustomdemanded,spakeTheusualwish,thathisguestwouldholdThehouse,andallthatitmightenfold,Ashis——withthebridescarcethreedaysold。

  BesurethattheMarquis,inhisplace,RepliedtoallwiththemeasuredgraceOfchosenspeechandunmovedface;

  NorraisedhisheadtillhisblackplumesweptThehemofthelady’srobe,whokeptHerplace,asherhusbandbackwardstept。

  Andthen(Iknownothownorwhy)

  Asubtleflameinthelady’seye——

  Unseenbythecourtiersstandingby——

  Burnedthroughhislaceandtitledwreath,Burnedthroughhisbody’sjeweledsheath,Tillittouchedthesteelofthemanbeneath!

  (Andyet,mayhap,nomorewasmeantThantopointawell-worncompliment,Andthelady’sbeauty,herworstintent。)

  Howbeit,theMarquisbowedagain:

  \"WhoruleswithawewellservethSpain,Butbestwhoselawislovemadeplain。\"

  BesurethatnightnopillowprestTheseneschal,butwiththerestWatched,aswasduearoyalguest,——

  WatchedfromthewalltillhesawthesquareFillwiththemoonlight,whiteandbare,——

  WatchedtillhesawtwoshadowsfareOutfromhisgarden,wheretheshadeThattheoldchurchtowerandbelfrymadeLikeabenedictoryhandwaslaid。

  FewwordsspoketheseneschalasheturnedTohisnearestsentry:\"ThesemonkshavelearnedThatstolenfruitissweetlyearned。

  \"MyselfshallpunishyonacolyteWhogathersmygardengrapesbynight;

  Meanwhile,waitthoutillthemorninglight。\"

  YetnottillthesunwasridinghighDidthesentrymeethiscommander’seye,NorthentilltheViceroystoodby。

  TotheloversofgraveformalitiesNogreetingwaseversofine,Iwis,Asthishost’sandguest’shighcourtesies!

  Theseneschalfeared,asthewindwaswest,AblastfromMorenahadchilledhisrest;

  TheViceroylanguidlyconfestThatcaresofstate,and——hedaredtosay——

  SomefearsthattheKingcouldnotrepayThethoughtfulzealofhishost,somewayHadmarredhisrest。YethetrustedmuchNonesharedhiswakefulness;thoughsuchIndeedmightbe!IfhedaredtotouchAthemesofine——thebride,perchance,Stillslept!Atleast,theymissedherglanceTogivethisgreetingcountenance。

  Besurethattheseneschal,inturn,WasdeeplybowedwiththegraveconcernOfthepainfulnewshisguestshouldlearn:

  \"Lastnight,toherfather’sdyingbedByapriestwastheladysummoned;

  Norknowweyethowwellshesped,\"Buthopeforthebest。\"ThegraveViceroy(Thoughgrievedhisvisithadsuchalloy)

  MuststillwishtheseneschalgreatjoyOfabridesotruetoherfilialtrust!

  Yetnow,asthedaywaxedon,theymustTohorse,ifthey’d’scapethenoondaydust。

  \"Nay,\"saidtheseneschal,\"atleast,Tomendthenewsofthisfuneralpriest,Myselfshallrideasyourescorteast。\"

  TheViceroybowed。ThenturnedasideTohisnearestfollower:\"Withmeride——

  YouandFelipe——oneitherside。

  \"Andlist!Shouldanythingmebefall,Mischanceofambushormusket-ball,Cleavetohissaddleyonseneschal!

  \"Nomore。\"ThengravelyinaccentsclearTookformalleaveofhislategoodcheer;

  Whilestheseneschalwhisperedamusketeer,Carelesslystrokinghispommeltop:

  \"Iffromthesaddleyeseemedrop,Riddlemequicklyyonsolemnfop!\"

  Sothese,withmanyacompliment,Eachonhisowndarkthoughtintent,Withgravepolitenessonwardwent,Ridinghigh,andinsightofall,Viceroy,escort,andseneschal,UndertheshadeoftheAlmandral;

  Holdingtheirsecrethardandfast,SilentandgravetheyrideatlastIntothedustytraveledPast。

  EvenlikethistheypassedawayTwohundredyearsagoto-day。

  Whatofthelady?Whoshallsay?

  DothesoulsofthedyingeveryearnTosomefavoredspotforthedust’sreturn,Forthehomelypeaceofthefamilyurn?

  Iknownot。Yetdidtheseneschal,Chancinginafter-yearstofallPiercedbyaFlemishmusket-ball,Calltohissideatrustyfriar,Andbidhimswear,ashislastdesire,TobearhiscorsetoSanPedro’schoirAtLeon,where’neathashieldazureShouldhismortalframefindsepulture:

  Thismuch,forthepainsChristdidendure。

  BesurethatthefriarloyallyFulfilledhistrustbylandandsea,TillthespiresofLeonsilentlyRosethroughthegreenoftheAlmandral,AsiftobeckontheseneschalTohiskindreddust’neaththechoirwall。

  IwotthatthesaintsoneithersideLeanedfromtheirnichesopen-eyedToseethedoorsofthechurchswingwide;

  ThatthewoundsoftheSaviouroneitherflankBledfresh,asthemourners,rankbyrank,Wentbywiththecoffin,clankonclank。

  Forwhy?WhentheyraisedthemarbledoorOfthetomb,untouchedforyearsbefore,Thefriarswoonedonthechoirfloor;

  Forthere,inherlacesandfestaldress,Laythedeadman’swife,herlovelinessScarcelychangedbyherlongduress,——

  Asonthenightshehadpassedaway;

  Onlythatnearheradaggerlay,Withthewrittenlegend,\"PorelRey。\"

  Whatwastheirgreeting,thegroomandbride,Theywhomthatsteelandtheyearsdivide?

  Iknownot。Heretheyliesidebyside。

  Sidebyside!Thoughthekinghashisway,Eventhedeadatlasthavetheirday。

  Makeyouthemoral。\"PorelRey!\"

  RAMON

  (REFUGIOMINE,NORTHERNMEXICO)

  Drunkandsenselessinhisplace,Proneandsprawlingonhisface,MorelikebrutethananymanAliveordead,Byhisgreatpumpoutofgear,Laythepeonengineer,Wakingonlyjusttohear,Overhead,Angrytonesthatcalledhisname,Oathsandcriesofbitterblame,——

  Woketohearallthis,and,waking,turnedandfled!

  \"Tothemanwho’llbringtome,\"

  CriedIntendantHarryLee,——

  HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,——

  \"Bringthesotaliveordead,Iwillgivetohim,\"hesaid,\"Fifteenhundredpesosdown,Justtosettherascal’scrownUnderneaththisheelofmine:

  SincebutdeathDeservesthemanwhosedeed,Beitviceorwantofheed,Stopsthepumpsthatgiveusbreath,——

  StopsthepumpsthatsuckthedeathFromthepoisonedlowerlevelsofthemine!\"

  Nooneanswered;foracryFromtheshaftroseuponhigh,Andshuffling,scrambling,tumblingfrombelow,Cametheminerseach,thebolderMountingontheweaker’sshoulder,Grappling,clingingtotheirholdorLettinggo,AstheweakergaspedandfellFromtheladdertothewell,——

  TothepoisonedpitofhellDownbelow!

  \"Tothemanwhosetsthemfree,\"

  Criedtheforeman,HarryLee,——

  HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,——

  \"Bringsthemoutandsetsthemfree,Iwillgivethatman,\"saidhe,\"Twicethatsum,whowitharopeFacetofacewithDeathshallcope。

  Lethimcomewhodarestohope!\"

  \"Holdyourpeace!\"someonereplied,Standingbytheforeman’sside;

  \"Therehasonealreadygone,whoe’erhebe!\"

  Thentheyheldtheirbreathwithawe,Pullingontherope,andsawFaintingfiguresreappear,Ontheblackropeswingingclear,Fastenedbysomeskillfulhandfrombelow;

  Tillascorethelevelgained,Andbutonealoneremained,——

  Hetheheroandthelast,HewhoseskillfulhandmadefastThelonglinethatbroughtthembacktohopeandcheer!

  Haggard,gasping,downdroppedheAtthefeetofHarryLee,——

  HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine。

  \"Ihavecome,\"hegasped,\"toclaimBothrewards。Senor,mynameIsRamon!

  I’mthedrunkenengineer,I’mthecoward,Senor\"——HereHefellover,bythatsign,Deadasstone!

  DONDIEGOOFTHESOUTH

  (REFECTORY,MISSIONSANGABRIEL,1869)

  Good!——saidthePadre,——believemestill,\"DonGiovanni,\"orwhatyouwill,Thetype’seternal!WeknewhimhereAsDonDiegodelSud。IfearThestory’snonewone!Willyouhear?

  Oneofthosespiritsyoucan’ttellwhyGodhaspermitted。ThereinI

  Havetheadvantage,forIholdThatwolvesaresenttothepurestfold,Andwe’dsavethewolfifwe’dgetthelamb。

  You’renobeliever?Good!Iam。

  Well,forsomepurpose,Igrantyoudim,TheDonlovedwomen,andtheylovedhim。

  EachthoughtherselfhisLASTlove!Worst,ManybelievedthattheywerehisFIRST!

  And,sucharethesecreaturessincetheFall,Theverydoubthadacharmforall!

  Youlaugh!Youareyoung,butI——indeedIhavenopatience……Toproceed:——

  Yousaw,asyoupassedthroughtheuppertown,TheEucinalwheretheroadgoesdownToSanFelipe!ThereonemornTheyfoundDiego,——hismantletorn,Andasmanyholesthroughhisdoublet’sbandAstherewerewrongedhusbands——youunderstand!

  \"Dying,\"sosaidthegossips。\"Dead\"

  Waswhatthefriarswhofoundhimsaid。

  Maybe。Quiensabe?Whoelseshouldknow?

  Itwasahundredyearsago。

  Therewasafuneral。Smallindeed——

  Private。Whatwouldyou?Toproceed:——

  Scarcelytheyearhadflown。OnenightTheCommandanteawokeinfright,Hearingbelowhiscasement’sbarThewell-knowntwangoftheDon’sguitar;

  Andrushedtothewindow,justtoseeHiswifea-swoononthebalcony。

  Oneweeklater,DonJuanRamirezFoundhisowndaughter,theDonaInez,Paleasaghost,leaningouttohearThesongofthatphantomcavalier。

  EvenAlcaldePedroBlasSaw,itwassaid,throughhisniece’sglass,TheshadeofDiegotwicerepass。

  WhatthesegentlemeneachconfessedHeavenandtheChurchonlyknows。AtbestThecasewasabadone。HowtodealWithSinasaGhost,theycouldn’tbutfeelWasanawfulthing。TillacertainFrayHumblyofferedtoshowtheway。

  Andthewaywasthis。DidIsaybeforeThattheFraywasastranger?No,Senor?

  Strange!verystrange!IshouldhavesaidThattheveryweekthattheDonlaydeadHecameamongus。BreadhebrokeSilent,norevertoonehespoke。

  Sohehadvowedit!BelowhisbrowsHisfacewashidden。Therearesuchvows!

  Strange!aretheynot?YoudonotuseSnuff?Abadhabit!

  Well,theviewsOftheFraywerethese:thatthepenancedoneBythecaballeroswasright;butoneWasduefromtheCAUSE,andthat,inbrief,WasDonaDoloresGomez,chief,AndInez,Sanchicha,Concepcion,AndCarmen,——well,halfthegirlsintownOnhistabletstheFriarhadwrittendown。

  TheseweretocomeonacertaindayAndaskatthehandsofthepiousFrayForabsolution。Thatdone,smallfearButtheshadeofDiegowoulddisappear。

  Theycame;eachkneltinherturnandplaceTothepiousFraywithhishiddenfaceAndvoicelesslips,andeachagainTookbackhersoulfreedfromspotorstain,TilltheDonaInez,witheyesdowncastAndatearontheirfringes,kneltherlast。

  Andthen——perhapsthathervoicewaslowFromfearorfromshame——themonkssaidso——

  ButtheFrayleanedforward,when,presto!allWerethrilledbyascream,andsawherfallFaintingbesidetheconfessional。

  AndsowastheghostofDiegolaidAstheFrayhadsaid。NevermorehisshadeWasseenatSanGabriel’sMission。Eh!

  Thegirlinterestsyou?Idaresay!

  \"Nothing,\"saidshe,whentheybroughtherto——

  \"Onlyafaintness!\"TheyspokemoretrueWhosaid’twasastubbornsoul。Butthen——

  Womenarewomen,andmenaremen!

  So,toreturn。AsIsaidbefore,Havinggotthewolf,bythesamehighlawWesavedthelambinthewolf’sownjaw,Andthat’smymoral。Thetale,Ifear,Butpoorlytold。YetitstrikesmehereIsstuffforamoral。What’syourview?

  Yousmile,DonPancho。Ah!that’slikeyou!

  ATTHEHACIENDA

  KnowInotwhomthoumaystbeCarveduponthisolive-tree,——

  \"ManuelaofLaTorre,\"——

  ForaroundonbrokenwallsSummersunandspringrainfalls,Andinvainthelowwindcalls\"ManuelaofLaTorre。\"

  OfthatsongnowordsremainButthemusicalrefrain,——

  \"ManuelaofLaTorre。\"

  Yetatnight,whenwindsarestill,TinklesonthedistanthillAguitar,andwordsthatthrillTelltometheold,oldstory,——

  Oldwhenfirstthycharmsweresung,Oldwhentheseoldwallswereyoung,\"ManuelaofLaTorre。\"

  FRIARPEDRO’SRIDE

  Itwasthemorningseasonoftheyear;

  Itwasthemorningeraoftheland;

  Thewatercoursesrangfullloudandclear;

  Portala’scrossstoodwherePortala’shandHadplanteditwhenFaithwastaughtbyFear,WhenmonksandmissionsheldthesolecommandOfallthatshorebesidethepeacefulsea,Wherespring-tidesbeattheirlong-drawnreveille。

  OutofthemissionofSanLuisRey,Allinthatbrisk,tumultuousspringweather,RodeFriarPedro,inapiousway,Withsixdragoonsincuirassesofleather,Eacharmedalikeforeitherprayerorfray;

  Handcuffsandmissalstheyhadslungtogether,AndasanaidthegospeltruthtoscatterEachswungalasso——aliasa\"riata。\"

  Insooth,thatyeartheharvesthadbeenslack,Thecropofconvertsscarceworthcomputation;

  Somesoulswerelost,whoseownershadturnedbackTosavetheirbodiesfrequentflagellation;

  Andsomepreferredthesongsofbirds,alack!

  ToLatinmatinsandtheirsouls’salvation,AndthoughttheirownwildwhoopingswerelessdrearyThanFatherPedro’sdroningmiserere。

  Tobringthembacktomatinsandtoprime,Topiousworksandsecularsubmission,Toprovetothemthatlibertywascrime,——

  Thiswas,infact,thePadre’spresentmission;

  Togetnewsoulsperchanceatthesametime,Andbringthemtoa\"senseoftheircondition,\"——

  Thateasyphrase,which,inthepastandpresent,Meansmakingthatconditionmostunpleasant。

  Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow;

  Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill;

  Hesawthegopherworkinginhisburrow;

  Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:——

  Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubtathoroughAnddeepconvictionofGod’sgoodness;stillHefailedtoseethatinHisgloryHeYetleftthehumblestofHiscreaturesfree。

  Hesawtheflappingcrow,whosefrequentnoteVoicedthemonotonyoflandandsky,MockingwithgracelesswingandrustycoatHispriestlypresenceashetrottedby。

  Hewouldhavecursedthebirdbybellandrote,Butothergamejustthenwasinhiseye,——

  Asavagecamp,whoseoccupantspreferredTheirheathendarknesstothelivingWord。

  Heranghisbell,andatthemartialsoundTwelvesilverspurstheirjinglingrowelsclashed;

  SixhorsessprangacrossthelevelgroundAssixdragoonsinopenorderdashed;

  Abovetheirheadsthelassoscircledround,Ineveryeyeapiousfervorflashed;

  Theychargedthecamp,andinonemomentmoreTheylassoedsixandreconvertedfour。

  TheFriarsawtheconflictfromaknoll,AndsangLausDeoandcheeredonhismen:

  \"Wellthrown,Bautista,——that’sanothersoul;

  Afterhim,Gomez,——tryitonceagain;

  Thisway,Felipe,——theretheheathenstole;

  BonesofSt。Francis!——surelythatmakesTEN;

  TeDeumlaudamus——butthey’reverywild;

  NonnobisDomine——allright,mychild!\"

  Whenatthatmoment——asthestorygoes——

  Acertainsquaw,whohadherfoeseluded,RanpasttheFriar,justbeforehisnose。

  Hestaredamoment,andinsilencebrooded;

  TheninhisbreastapiousfrenzyroseAndeveryotherprudentthoughtexcluded;

  Hecaughtalasso,anddashedinacanterAfterthatOccidentalAtalanta。

  Higho’erhisheadheswirledthedreadfulnoose;

  But,asthepracticewasquiteunfamiliar,HisfirstcasttoreFelipe’scaptiveloose,AndalmostchokedTiburcioCamilla,Andmighthaveinterferedwiththatbraveyouth’sAbilitytogorgethetoughtortilla;

  Butallthingscomebypractice,andatlastHisflyingslip-knotcaughtthemaidenfast。

  ThenroseabovetheplainamingledyellOfrageandtriumph,——ademoniacwhoop:

  ThePadrehearditlikeapassingknell,Andwouldhaveloosenedhisunchristianloop;

  Butthetoughraw-hideheldthecaptivewell,Andheld,alas!toowellthecaptor-dupe;

  Forwithoneboundthesavagefledamain,Dragginghorse,Friar,downthelonelyplain。

  Downthearroyo,outacrossthemead,Byheathandhollow,spedtheflyingmaid,DraggingbehindherstillthepantingsteedAndhelplessFriar,whoinvainessayedTocutthelassoortocheckhisspeed。

  Hefelthimselfbeyondallhumanaid,Andtrustedtothesaints,——and,forthatmatter,TosomeweakspotinFelipe’sriata。

  Alas!thelassohadbeendulyblessed,And,likebaptism,heldtheflyingwretch,——

  Adoctrinethatthepriesthadoftexpressed,Which,likethelasso,mightbemadetostretch,Butwouldnotbreak;soneithercoulddivestThemselvesofit,but,likesomeawfulfetch,TheholyFriarhadtorecognizeTheimageofhisfateinheathenguise。

  Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow;

  Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill;

  Hesawthegopherstandinginhisburrow;

  Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:——

  Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubthowthoroughThecontrastwastohiscondition;stillThesquawkeptonwardtothesea,tillnightAndthecoldsea-foghidthembothfromsight。

  Themorningcameabovetheserriedcoast,Lightingthesnow-peakswithitsbeacon-fires,Drivingbeforeitallthefleet-wingedhostOfchatteringbirdsabovetheMissionspires,Fillingthelandwithlightandjoy,butmostThesavagewoodswithalltheirleafylyres;

  InpearlytintsandopalflameandfireThemorningcame,butnottheholyFriar。

  Weekspassedaway。InvaintheFatherssoughtSometraceortokenthatmighttellhisstory;

  Somethoughthimdead,or,likeElijah,caughtUptotheheavensinablazeofglory。

  InthissurmisesomemiracleswerewroughtOnhisaccount,andsoulsinpurgatoryWerethoughttoprofitfromhisintercession;

  Inbrief,hisabsencemadea\"deepimpression。\"

  Atwelvemonthpassed;thewelcomeSpringoncemoreMadegreenthehillsbesidethewhite-facedMission,Spreadherbrightdaisbythewesternshore,Andsatenthroned,amostresplendentvision。

  TheheathenconvertsthrongedthechapeldoorAtmorningmass,when,saystheoldtradition,Afrightfulwhoopthroughoutthechurchresounded,Andtotheirfeetthecongregationbounded。

  Atrampofhoofsuponthebeatencourse,Thencameasightthatmadethebravestquail:

  AphantomFriaronaspectrehorse,Draggedbyacreaturedeckedwithhornsandtail。

  BytheloneMission,withthewhirlwind’sforce,Theymadlyswept,andleftasulphuroustrail:

  Andthatwasall,——enoughtotellthestory,Andleaveunblessedthosesoulsinpurgatory。

  Andeverafter,onthatfataldayThatFriarPedrorodeabroadlassoing,AghostlycouplecameandwentawayWithsavagewhoopandheathenishhallooing,WhichbroughtdiscreditonSanLuisRey,AndprovedtheMission’sruinandundoing;

  Foreretenyearshadpassed,thesquawandFriarPerformedtoemptywallsandfallenspire。

  TheMissionisnomore;uponitswall。

  Thegoldenlizardsslip,orbreathlesspause,StillasthesunshinebrokenlythatfallsThroughcranniedroofandspider-websofgauze;

  Nomorethebellitssolemnwarningcalls,——

  Aholiersilencethrillsandoverawes;

  Andthesharplightsandshadowsofto-dayOutlinetheMissionofSanLuisRey。

  INTHEMISSIONGARDEN

  (1865)

  FATHERFELIPE

  IspeaknottheEnglishwell,butPachita,Shespeakforme;isitnotso,myPancha?

  Eh,littlerogue?Come,salutemethestrangerAmericano。

  Sir,inmycountrywesay,\"Wheretheheartis,Therelivethespeech。\"Ah!younotunderstand?So!

  Pardonanoldman,——whatyoucall\"oldfogy,\"——

  PadreFelipe!

  Old,Senor,old!justsooldastheMission。

  Youseethatpear-tree?Howoldyouthink,Senor?

  Fifteenyear?Twenty?Ah,Senor,justfiftyGonesinceIplanthim!

  Youlikethewine?ItissomeattheMission,Madefromthegrapeoftheyeareighteenhundred;

  AllthesametimewhentheearthquakehecometoSanJuanBautista。

  ButPanchaistwelve,andsheistherose-tree;

  AndIamtheolive,andthisisthegarden:

  And\"Pancha\"wesay,buthernameis\"Francisca,\"

  Samelikehermother。

  Eh,youknewHER?No?Ah!itisastory;

  ButIspeaknot,likePachita,theEnglish:

  So!ifItry,youwillsitherebesideme,Andshallnotlaugh,eh?

  WhentheAmericancometotheMission,ManyarriveatthehouseofFrancisca:

  One,——hewasfineman,——hebuythecattleOfJoseCastro。

  So!hecamemuch,andFrancisca,shesawhim:

  Anditwaslove,——andaverydryseason;

  Andthepearsbakeonthetree,——andtheraincome,ButnotFrancisca。

  Notforoneyear;andonenightIhavewalkmuchUndertheolive-tree,whencomesFrancisca,——

  Comestomehere,withherchild,thisFrancisca,——

  Undertheolive-tree。

  Sir,itwassad;……butIspeaknottheEnglish;

  So!……shestayhere,andshewaitforherhusband:

  Hecomenomore,andshesleeponthehillside;

  TherestandsPachita。

  Ah!there’stheAngelus。Willyounotenter?

  OrshallyouwalkinthegardenwithPancha?

  Go,littlerogue——st!attendtothestranger!

  Adios,Senor。

  PACHITA(briskly)。

  So,he’sbeentellingthatyarnaboutmother!

  Blessyou!hetellsittoeverystranger:

  Folksaboutyersaytheoldman’smyfather;

  What’syouropinion?

  THELOSTGALLEON*

  Insixteenhundredandforty-one,Theregularyearlygalleon,Ladenwithodorousgumsandspice,IndiacottonsandIndiarice,AndtherichestsilksoffarCathay,WasdueatAcapulcoBay。

  Dueshewas,andoverdue,——

  Galleon,merchandiseandcrew,Creepingalongthroughrainandshine,Throughthetropics,undertheline。

  Thetrainswerewaitingoutsidethewalls,Thewivesofsailorsthrongedthetown,Thetraderssatbytheiremptystalls,AndtheViceroyhimselfcamedown;

  Thebellsinthetowerwerealla-trip,TeDeumswereoneachFather’slip,ThelimeswereripeninginthesunForthesickofthecominggalleon。

  Allinvain。Weekspassedaway,Andyetnogalleonsawthebay。

  Indiagoodsadvancedinprice;

  TheGovernormissedhisfavoritespice;

  TheSenoritasmournedforsandalAndthefamouscottonsofCoromandel;

  Andsomeforanabsentloverlost,Andoneforahusband,——DonaJulia,Wifeofthecaptaintempest-tossed,Incircumstancessopeculiar;

  EventheFathers,unawares,Grumbledalittleattheirprayers;

  AndallalongthecoastthatyearVotivecandlesworescarceanddear。

  NeveratearbedimstheeyeThattimeandpatiencewillnotdry;

  NeveralipiscurvedwithpainThatcan’tbekissedintosmilesagain;

  Andthesesametruths,asfarasIknow,ObtainedonthecoastofMexicoMorethantwohundredyearsago,Insixteenhundredandfifty-one,——

  Tenyearsafterthedeedwasdone,——

  Andfolkshadforgottenthegalleon:

  Thediversplungedinthegulfforpearls,WhiteastheteethoftheIndiangirls;

  Thetraderssatbytheirfullbazaars;

  Themuleswithmanyawearyload,Andoxendraggingtheircreakingcars,Cameandwentonthemountainroad。

  Wherewasthegalleonallthiswhile?

  Wreckedonsomelonelycoralisle,Burntbytherovingsea-marauders,Orsailingnorthundersecretorders?

  HadshefoundtheAnianpassagefamed,BylyingMaldonadoclaimed,Andsailedthroughthesixty-fifthdegreeDirecttotheNorthAtlanticSea?

  Orhadshefoundthe\"RiverofKings,\"

  OfwhichDeFontetoldsuchstrangethings,Insixteenforty?Neverasign,Eastorwestorundertheline,Theysawofthemissinggalleon;

  NeverasailorplankorchipTheyfoundofthelong-losttreasure-ship,Orenoughtobuildataleupon。

  Butwhenshewaslost,andwhereandhow,Arethefactswe’recomingtojustnow。

  Take,ifyouplease,thechartofthatday,PublishedatMadrid,——porelRey;

  LookforaspotintheoldSouthSea,ThehundredandeightiethdegreeLongitudewestofMadrid:there,Undertheequatorialglare,Justwheretheeastandwestareone,You’llfindthemissinggalleon,——

  You’llfindtheSanGregorio,yetRidingtheseas,withsailsallset,FreshasupontheverydayShesailedfromAcapulcoBay。

  Howdidshegetthere?WhatstrangespellKepthertwohundredyearssowell,Freefromdecayandmortaltaint?

  Whatbuttheprayersofapatronsaint!

  AhundredleaguesfromManillatown,TheSanGregorio’shelmcamedown;

  Roundshewentonherheel,andnotAcable’slengthfromagalliotThatrockedonthewatersjustabreastOfthegalleon’scourse,whichwaswest-sou’-west。

  Thensaidthegalleon’scommandante,GeneralPedroSobriente(Thatwashisrankonlandandmain,AregularcustomofOldSpain),\"Mypilotisdeadofscurvy:mayIaskthelongitude,time,andday?\"

  Thefirsttwogivenandcompared;

  Thethird——thecommandantestared!

  \"TheFIRSTofJune?Imakeitsecond。\"

  Saidthestranger,\"Thenyou’vewronglyreckoned;

  ImakeitFIRST:asyoucamethisway,Youshouldhavelost,d’yesee,aday;

  Lostaday,asplainlysee,Onthehundredandeightiethdegree。\"

  \"Lostaday?\"\"Yes;ifnotrude,Whendidyoumakeeastlongitude?\"

  \"OntheninthofMay,——ourpatron’sday。\"

  \"Ontheninth?——YOUHADNONINTHOFMAY!

  Eighthandtenthwasthere;butstay\"——

  Toolate;forthegalleonboreaway。

  Lostwasthedaytheyshouldhavekept,Lostunheededandlostunwept;

  Lostinawaythatmadesearchvain,Lostinatracklessandboundlessmain;

  LostlikethedayofJob’sawfulcurse,Inhisthirdchapter,thirdandfourthverse;

  Wreckedwastheirpatron’sonlyday,——

  WhatwouldtheholyFatherssay?

  SaidtheFrayAntonioEstavan,Thegalleon’schaplain,——alearnedman,——

  \"Nothingislostthatyoucanregain;

  Andthewaytolookforathingisplain,Togowhereyoulostit,backagain。

  BackwithyourgalleontillyouseeThehundredandeightiethdegree。

  Waittilltherollingyeargoesround,Andtherewillthemissingdaybefound;

  Foryou’llfind,ifcomputation’strue,ThatsailingEASTwillgivetoyouNotonlyoneninthofMay,buttwo,——

  Oneforthegoodsaint’spresentcheer,Andoneforthedaywelostlastyear。\"

  Backtothespotsailedthegalleon;

  Where,foratwelvemonth,offandonThehundredandeightiethdegreeSheroseandfellonatropicsea。

  Butlo!whenitcametotheninthofMay,AllofasuddenbecalmedshelayOnedegreefromthatfatalspot,Withoutthepowertomoveaknot;

  Andofcoursethemomentshelostherway,Gonewasherchancetosavethatday。

  Tocutalengtheningstoryshort,Sheneversavedit。MadethesportOfevilspiritsandbafflingwind,Shewasalwaysbeforeorjustbehind,Onedaytoosoonoronedaytoolate,Andthesun,meanwhile,wouldneverwait。

  ShehadtwoEighths,assheidlylay,TwoTenths,butneveraNINTHofMay;

  AndtheresheridesthroughtwohundredyearsOfdrearypenanceandanxiousfears;

  Yet,throughthegraceofthesaintsheserved,Captainandcrewarestillpreserved。

  Byacomputationthatstillholdsgood,MadebytheHolyBrotherhood,TheSanGregoriowillcrossthatlineInnineteenhundredandthirty-nine:

  JustthreehundredyearstoadayFromthetimeshelosttheninthofMay。

  AndthefolkinAcapulcotown,Overthewaterslookingdown,WillseeintheglowofthesettingsunThesailsofthemissinggalleon,AndtheroyalstandardofPhilipRey,Thegleamingmastandglisteningspar,Asshenearsthesurfoftheouterbar。

  ATeDeumsungonhercrowdeddeck,Anodorofspicealongtheshore,Acrash,acryfromashatteredwreck,——

  AndtheyearlygalleonsailsnomoreInoroutoftheoldenbay;

  Fortheblessedpatronhasfoundhisday。

  ——————-

  Suchisthelegend。Hearthistruth:

  Overthetracklesspast,somewhere,Liethelostdaysofourtropicyouth,Onlyregainedbyfaithandprayer,Onlyrecalledbyprayerandplaint:

  Eachlostdayhasitspatronsaint!

  *Seenotesatend。

  III。INDIALECT

  \"JIM\"

  Saythere!P’r’apsSomeonyouchapsMightknowJimWild?

  Well,——nooffense:

  Tharain’tnosenseIngittin’riled!

  JimwasmychumUpontheBar:

  That’swhyIcomeDownfromupyar,Lookin’forJim。

  Thankye,sir!YOU

  Ain’tofthatcrew,——

  Blestifyouare!

  Money?Notmuch:

  Thatain’tmykind;

  Iain’tnosuch。

  Rum?Idon’tmind,Seein’it’syou。

  Well,thisyerJim,——

  Didyouknowhim?

  Jes’’boutyoursize;

  Samekindofeyes;——

  Well,thatisstrange:

  Why,it’stwoyearSincehecamehere,Sick,forachange。

  Well,here’stous:

  Eh?

  Theh——-yousay!

  Dead?

  Thatlittlecuss?

  Whatmakesyoustar’,Youoverthar?

  Can’tamandrop’sglassinyershopButyoumustr’ar?

  Itwouldn’ttakeD————dmuchtobreakYouandyourbar。

  Dead!

  Poor——little——Jim!

  Why,tharwasme,Jones,andBobLee,HarryandBen,——

  No-accountmen:

  ThentotakeHIM!

  Well,thar——Good-by——

  Nomore,sir——I——

  Eh?

  What’sthatyousay?

  Why,dernit!——sho!——

  No?Yes!ByJoe!

  Sold!

  Sold!Why,youlimb,Youornery,DernedoldLong-leggedJim。

  CHIQUITA

  Beautiful!Sir,youmaysayso。Tharisn’thermatchinthecounty;

  Isthar,oldgal,——Chiquita,mydarling,mybeauty?

  Feelofthatneck,sir,——thar’svelvet!Whoa!steady,——ah,willyou,youvixen!

  Whoa!Isay。Jack,trotherout;letthegentlemanlookatherpaces。

  Morgan!——sheain’tnothingelse,andI’vegotthepaperstoproveit。

  SiredbyChippewaChief,andtwelvehundreddollarswon’tbuyher。

  BriggsofTuolumneownedher。DidyouknowBriggsofTuolumne?

  BustedhisselfinWhitePine,andblewouthisbrainsdownin’Frisco?

  Hedn’tnosavey,hedBriggs。Thar,Jack!that’lldo,——quitthatfoolin’!

  Nothin’towhatshekindo,whenshe’sgotherworkcutoutbeforeher。

  Hossesishosses,youknow,andlikewise,too,jockeysisjockeys:

  And’tain’tev’rymanascanrideasknowswhatahosshasgotinhim。

  KnowtheoldfordontheFork,thatnearlygotFlanigan’sleaders?

  Nastyindaylight,youbet,andamightyroughfordinlowwater!

  Well,itain’tsixweeksagothatmeandtheJedgeandhisneveyStruckforthatfordinthenight,intherain,andthewaterallroundus;

  Uptoourflanksinthegulch,andRattlesnakeCreekjusta-bilin’,Notaplankleftinthedam,andnaryabridgeontheriver。

  Ihadthegray,andtheJedgehadhisroan,andhisnevey,Chiquita;

  Andafterustrundledtherocksjestloosedfromthetopofthecanyon。

  Lickity,lickity,switch,wecametotheford,andChiquitaBuckledrightdowntoherwork,and,aforeIcouldyelltoherrider,Tookwaterjestattheford,andtherewastheJedgeandmestanding,Andtwelvehundreddollarsofhoss-fleshafloat,anda-driftin’tothunder!

  Wouldyeb’lieveit?Thatnight,thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita,Walkedherselfintoherstall,andstoodthere,allquietanddripping:

  Cleanasabeaverorrat,withnaryabuckleofharness,JustassheswamtheFork,——thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita。

  That’swhatIcallahoss!and——Whatdidyousay?——Oh,thenevey?

  Drownded,Ireckon,——leastways,heneverkembecktodenyit。

  Yeseethedernedfoolhadnoseat,yecouldn’thavemadehimarider;

  Andthen,yeknow,boyswillbeboys,andhosses——well,hossesishosses!

  DOW’SFLAT

  (1856)

  Dow’sFlat。That’sitsname;

  AndIreckonthatyouAreastranger?Thesame?

  Well,Ithoughtitwastrue,——

  Fortharisn’tamanontheriverascan’tspottheplaceatfirstview。

  ItwascalledafterDow,——

  Whichthesamewasanass,——

  AndastothehowThetthethingkemtopass,——

  Jesttieupyourhosstothatbuckeye,andsityedownhereinthegrass。

  Youseethis’yerDowHedtheworstkindofluck;

  HeslippedupsomehowOneachthingthethestruck。

  Why,efhe’dastraddledthetfence-rail,thedernedthing’dgetupandbuck。

  HeminedonthebarTillhecouldn’tpayrates;

  HewassmashedbyacarWhenhetunneledwithBates;

  AndrightonthetopofhistroublekemhiswifeandfivekidsfromtheStates。

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