Wood Rangers Part 8

They were without riders. One only was mounted; and that was ridden by the driver of the troop. In short, it was a _remuda_--such as rich travellers in the north of Mexico usually take along with them for a remount. These horses, on account of the half-wild life they lead upon the vast plains where they are pastured, after a gallop of twenty leagues without carrying a rider, are almost as fresh as if just taken out of the stable. On long routes, each is saddled and mounted at regular intervals; and in this way a journey is performed almost as rapidly as by a mail express, with relays already established.

According to usual custom, a _bell-mare_ preceded this drove, which appeared to consist of about thirty horses. It was this bell that had first attracted the attention of the players.

When within a hundred yards or so of the huts, the driver of the _remuda_ galloped to the front, and catching the bell-mare, brought her to a stop. The other horses halted on the instant.

Shortly after, five cavaliers appeared through the dust, riding in the direction of the huts. Two were in advance of the other three, who, following at a little distance, were acting as attendants or servants.

The most distinguished looking of the two who rode in advance, was a man of somewhat over medium height. He appeared to have pa.s.sed the age of forty. A greyish-coloured _sombrero_, with broad brim, screened his face from the fervent sunbeams. He was habited in a pelisse, or _dolman_, of dark blue, richly laced with gold, and almost concealed under a large white kerchief, embroidered with sky-blue silk, and known in Mexico as _pano de sol_. Under the fiery atmosphere, the white colour of this species of scarf, like the _burnous_ of the Arabs, serves to moderate the rays of the sun, and for this purpose was it worn by the cavalier in question. Upon his feet were boots of yellow Cordovan leather, and over these, large spurs, the straps of which were st.i.tched with gold and silver wire. These spurs, with their huge five-pointed rowels, and little bells, gave out a silvery clinking that kept time to the march of the horse--sounds most agreeable to the ear of the Mexican _cavallero_.

A _mango_, richly slashed with gold lace, hung over the pommel of the saddle in front of the horseman, half covering with its folds a pair of wide pantaloons, garnished throughout their whole length with b.u.t.tons of filigree gold. In fine, the saddle, embroidered like the straps of the spurs, completed a costume that, in the eyes of a European, would recall the souvenirs of the middle ages. For all that, the horseman in question did not require a rich dress to give him an air of distinction.

There was that in his bearing and physiognomy that denoted a man accustomed to command and perfectly _au fait_ to the world.

His companion, much younger, was dressed with far more pretension: but his insignificant figure, though not wanting in a certain degree of elegance, was far from having the aristocratic appearance of him with the embroidered kerchief.

The three servants that followed--with faces blackened by dust and sun, and half savage figures--carried long lances adorned with scarlet pennons, and _lazos_ hung coiled from the pommels of their saddles.

These strange attendants gave to the group that singular appearance peculiar to a cavalcade of Mexican travellers. Several mules, pack laden, and carrying enormous valises, followed in the rear. These valises contained provisions and the _menage_ necessary for a halt.

On seeing Cuchillo and Baraja, the foremost of the two cavaliers halted, and the troop followed his example.

"'Tis the Senor Don Estevan," said Baraja, in a subdued voice. "This is the man, senor," he continued, presenting Cuchillo to the cavalier with the _pano de sol_.

Don Estevan--for it was he--fixed upon Cuchillo a piercing glance, that appeared to penetrate to the bottom of his soul, at the same time the look denoted a slight expression of surprise.

"I have the honour to kiss the hands of your excellency," said Cuchillo.

"As you see, it is I who--"

But in spite of his habitual a.s.surance, the outlaw paused, trembling as vague souvenirs began to shape themselves in his memory; for these two men had met before, though not for a very long time.

"Eh! if I don't deceive myself," interrupted the Spaniard, in an ironical tone, "the Senor Cuchillo and I are old acquaintances--though formerly I knew him by a different name?"

"So too your excellency, who was then called--"

Arechiza frowned till the hairs of his black moustache seemed to stand on end. The outlaw did not finish his speech. He saw that it was not the time to tell what he knew; but this species of complicity appeared to restore him to his wonted a.s.surance.

Cuchillo was, in truth, one of those gentlemen who have the ill luck to give to whatever name they bear a prompt celebrity; and for this reason he had changed his more than once.

"Senor Senator," said Arechiza, turning toward his _compagnon de voyage_, "this place does not appear very suitable for our noon siesta?"

"The Senor Tragaduros y Despilfarro, will find the shade of one of these cottages more agreeable," interposed Cuchillo, who knew the senator of Arispe. He knew, moreover, that the latter had attached himself to the fortunes of Don Estevan, in default of better cause: and in hopes of repairing his own fortune, long since dissipated.

Despite the low state of his finances, however, the Senator had not the less a real influence in the congress of Sonora; and it was this influence which Don Estevan intended using to his own advantage. Hence the companionship that now existed between them.

"I agree with all my heart to your proposal," answered Tragaduros, "the more so that we have now been nearly five hours in the saddle."

Two of the servants dismounting, took their masters' horses by the bridle, while the other two looked after the _cargas_ of the mules. The camp-beds were taken from the pack saddles, and carried into two of the houses that appeared the most s.p.a.cious and proper.

We shall leave the Senator reclining upon his mattress, to enjoy that profound slumber which is the portion of just men and travellers; while we accompany Don Estevan into the hut which he had chosen for himself, and which stood at some distance from that occupied by the legislator.

CHAPTER NINE.

THE COMPACT.

After having followed Don Estevan, at the invitation of the latter, inside the hovel, Cuchillo closed behind him the wattle of bamboos that served as a door. He did this with great care--as if he feared that the least noise should be heard without--and then he stood waiting for the Spaniard to initiate the conversation.

The latter had seated himself on the side of his camp-bedstead, and Cuchillo also sat down, using for his seat the skull of a bullock,-- which chanced to be in the house. It is the ordinary stool of this part of the country, where the luxury of chairs is still unknown--at least in the houses of the poor.

"I suppose," said Arechiza, breaking silence, "that you have a thousand reasons why I should know you by no other than your present name. I, with motives very different from yours, no doubt, desire to be here nothing more than _Don Estevan Arechiza_. Now! Senor Cuchillo,"

continued the speaker with a certain affectation of mockery; "let us have this grand secret that is to make your fortune and mine!"

"A word first, Senor Don Estevan de Arechiza," replied Cuchillo, in the same tone; "one word, and then you shall have it."

"I listen to you; but observe, sir, say nothing of the past--no more perfidy. We are here in a country where there are _trees_, and you know how I punish traitors."

At this allusion to some past event--no doubt some mysterious souvenir-- the face of the outlaw became livid.

"Yes," replied he, "I remember that it is not your fault that I was not hung to a tree. It may be more prudent not to recall old wrongs-- especially as you are no longer in a conquered country, but in one of forests--forests both sombre and dumb."

There was in this response of the outlaw such an evident air of menace, that, joined with his character and sinister antecedents, it required a firm heart on the part of Don Estevan not to regret having recalled the souvenir. With a cold smile he replied:

"Ha! another time I shall entrust the execution of a traitor in the hands of no human being. I shall perform that office myself," continued he, fixing upon Cuchillo a glance which caused the latter to lower his head. "As to your threats, reserve them for people of your own kind; and never forget, that between my breast and your dagger there is an insurmountable barrier."

"Who knows?" muttered Cuchillo, dissembling the anger which was devouring him. Then in a different tone, he continued: "But I am no traitor, Senor Don Estevan; and the proposal I am now about to make to you is frank and loyal."

"We shall see, then."

"Know, then, Senor Arechiza, that for several years past I have followed the profession of a _gambusino_, and have rambled over most of this country in the exercise of my calling. I have seen a deposit of gold such as mortal eye perhaps never looked upon!"

"You have seen it, and not possessed yourself of it?"

"Do not mock me, Don Estevan; I am in earnest. I have seen a _placer_ so rich that the man who gets it might for a whole year play the game of h.e.l.l with luck all the while against him, and not be impoverished! So rich as to satisfy the most insatiable avarice; so rich, in fact, as to buy a kingdom!"

At these words, which responded to some hopes and desires already conceived, Don Estevan could not hinder himself from the manifestation of a certain emotion.

"So rich," continued the outlaw, in an exalted tone, "that I would not hesitate for one instant to give my soul to the devil in exchange for it."

"The devil is not such a fool as to value so highly a soul which he knows he will get _gratis_. But how did _you_ discover this _placer_?"

"Thus, senor. There was a _gambusino_ called Marcos Arellanos, who was celebrated throughout the whole province. It was he who discovered this _bonanza_ in company with another of the same calling as himself; but just as they were about to gather some of the gold, they were attacked by the Apache Indians. The a.s.sociate of Marcos Arellanos was killed, and he himself had to run a thousand risks before he succeeded in making his escape.

"It was after he came home again that by chance I met him at Tubac.

There he proposed to me to join him, and go back to the _placer_. I accepted his offer, and we started. We arrived safely at the _Golden Valley_, for by that name he called the place. Powers of Heaven!"

exclaimed Cuchillo, "it only needed to see those blocks of gold shining in the sun to bring before one's eyes a thousand dazzling visions!

"Alas! we were only permitted to feast our eyes. The savages were upon us. We were compelled to fly in our turn, and I alone escaped. Poor Marcos! he fell under the horrible war clubs; and I--I have sorely grieved for him! Now, senor, this is the secret of the Golden Valley which I desire to sell to you."

"To sell to me:--and who is to answer for your fidelity?"