The valiant runaways;

Front matter

EXUBRISJ1

—

=f 5o A&t*

II

ROLDAN'S way lay over his father s leagues until two hours after night fall. As he passed, every now and again, a herd of cattle, lounging vaqueros called to him : " Ay, Don Roldan, where do you go ? " or, " The little senor chooses a hot day for his ride." But he excited no curi osity. Like all Californians he half lived in the saddle ; and he was often seen riding in the direction of Don Esteban Pardo's rancho, to spend a few days with his chosen friend.

As he approached the house he saw the family sitting on the long verandah : the pretty black-eyed girls in full white gowns, their dark hair flowing to the floor, or braided loosely ; Don Esteban, a silk hand kerchief knotted about his head, reclining in a long chair beside his wife, a stout woman, coffee-coloured with age, attired in a dark silk gown flowered with roses.

Indian servants came and went with cool ing drinks. Although it was December, Winter had loitered and fallen into deeper sleep than usual on her journey South this year.

Adan was leaning against a pillar, moody and bored. He was the youngest of the boys. His brothers, elegant caballeros, who spent most of their time in the capi tal or on other ranches, were kind to their younger brother, but not companionable. Therefore, when Roldan galloped into sight, he gave a shout of joy and ran down the road. Roldan drew rein some distance from the house, that the confer ence, which must take place immediately, might be unheard by older ears.

" Listen, my friend," he said rapidly, interrupting Adan's voluble hospitality. " The soldiers are out for conscripts — "

" Now listen, and don't talk until I am done. I will not be drafted as if I had no will of my own, and rot in a barrack while others enjoy life. Neither will you if you have the spirit of a Pardo and are worthy to be the friend of Roldan Castanada. So

— I fly. Do you understand ? — and you go with me. We ,will dodge these ser vants of a tyrant government the length and breadth of the Californias. When the clanger is over for this year we will return

— not before. Now, you will ask me to go to my room as soon as possible after you have given me some supper, for I am tired and want sleep. You also will take a nap. When all is quiet I shall call you and we will start."

Adan had listened to this harangue with bulging eyes and tongue rolling over his teeth. But Roldan never failed to carry the day. He was a born leader. Adan's was the will that bent; but his talent for good comradeship and his quiet self-respect saved him from servility.

In appearance he was in sharp contrast to the slender Roldan, of the classic feat ures and fiery eyes. Short, roly-poly, with a broad, good-natured face, his attire was also unmarked by the extreme elegance which always characterised Roldan. In summer he wore calico small-clothes, in io The Valiant Runaways

winter unmatched articles of velvet 01 cloth, and an old sombrero without silver.

-Ay! yil" he gasped. "Ay, Roldan ! Holy Mary ! But you are right. You always are. And so clever! I will go. Sure, sure. Come now, or they will think \\ c conspire."

Roldan dismounted, and was warmly greeted by the family. The girls rose and courtesied, blushing with the coquetry of their race. Roldan cared little for girls at any time, and to-night was doubly abstracted, his ear straining at every dis tant hoof-beat. He retired as early as he politely could, but not to sleep. Indeed, he became so nervous that he could not wait until the family slept.

>l Better to brave them, Adan," he said to his more phlegmatic friend, " than that sergeant, should he get here before we leave. Come, come, let us go."

They dropped out of the window and ^tole to the corral where the riding horses were kept. It was surrounded by a high Vail, and the gate was barred with iron ; but they managed to remove the bars without noise, saddled fresh horses and led them forth and onward for a half mile, then mounted and were off like the wind.

They knew the country down the coast on the beaten road, but they dared not follow this, and struck inland. The air was now of an agreeable warmth ; the full moon was so low and brilliant that Roldan called out he could count the bristling hairs on a coyote's back.

In less than two hours they were climb ing a mountain trail leading through a dense redwood forest. In these depths the moon's rays were scattered into mere flecks dropping here and there through the thick interlacing boughs of the giant trees. Those boughs were a hundred feet and more above their heads. About them was a dense underforest of young redwoods, pines, and great ferns; and swarming over all luxuriant and poison ous creepers.

They were silent for a time. The red wood forests are very quiet and awesome. At night one hears but the rush of the mountain torrent, the cry of a panther or i 2 The Valiant Runaways

a coyote, the low sigh of wind in the treetops.

"Ay, Roldan," exclaimed Adan, sud denly. " Think did we meet a bear ? "

44 We probably shall," said Roldan, coolly. "These forests have many 'grizzlies,' as the Americans call them."

14 But what should we do, Roldan ? "

" Why, kill him, surely."

14 Have you ever seen one ? "

44 Never."

44 But it is said that they are very large, my friend, larger than you or I."

44 Perhaps. Keep quiet. I like to hear the forest talk."

11 What strange fancies you have, Roldan. A forest cannot talk."

" Oh — hush."

44 Ay, yi, Roldan ! Roldan ! "

The horses were standing upright, neighing pitifully. Adan gave a hoarse gurgle and crossed himself.

44 The adventures have begun," said Roldan.

In a <_nx-;it swarth of moonlight on a ^c some yards above them, standing on his hind legs and swinging his forepaws goodnaturedly, was an immense grey bear. Suddenly he extended his arms sociably, almost affectionately.

" We cannot retreat down that steep trail," said Roldan, rapidly. " He could follow faster and the horses would falL To the left ! in the brush, quick ! — a bear cannot run sideways on a mountain."

The boys dug their spurs into the trem bling mustangs, who responded with a snort of pain and plunged into the thicket. Only the bold skill of the riders saved them from pitching sidewise down the steep slope, despite the brush, for they were un shod and their knees had weakened.

But the grizzly, alas! was still master of the situation. In less than a moment the boys saw him lumbering along above them. He evidently had possession of a trail, more or less level.

" Dios de mi alma!" cried Adan. "If he gets ahead of us he will come down and meet us somewhere. We shall be lost — eaten even as a cat eats a mouse, a coyote a chicken."

"You will look well lining the dark corridors of the bear, my friend. Your yellow jacket with those large red roses, which would make a bull sweat, would hang like tapestry in the houses of Spain. Those hide boots, spotted with mud, and the blood of the calf, would keep him from wanting another meal for many a long day — "

" Ay, thou fearless one ! Why, it is said that if the grizzly even raises his paw and slaps the face every feature is crushed out of shape."

" I should not be surprised."

They plunged on, tearing their clothes on the spiked brush and the thorns of the sweetbrier, fragrant lilac petals falling in a shower about them, great ferns trodden and rebounding. The air was heavy with perfume and the pungent odour of red- Avood and pine.

Roldan had passed Adan. Suddenly his horse stumbled and would have gone headlong had not his expert rider pulled him back on his haunches.

"What is it? What is it?" cried

The Valiant Runaways i 5

Adan, who also had been obliged to pull in abruptly, and who liked horses less when they stood on their hind legs. " Is it the bear upon us ? But, no, I hear him — above and beyond. What are you doing, my friend ? "

Roldan had dismounted and was on his hands and knees. In a half moment he stood erect.

" We are saved," he said.

" Ay ? What ? "

" It is a hole, my friend — large and deep and round. Did you put any meat in your saddle-bags ? "

" Ay, a good piece."

"Raw?"

" Yes."

"Give it to me — quick. Do not un wrap it."

Adan handed over the meat, then dis mounted also.

11 A bear-trap ? " he asked.

"Yes, a natural one. Come this way, before I unwrap the meat."

The boys forced their way to the south of the large hole, dragging the still terrified horses, who were not disposed to respond to anything less persuasive than the spur. Roldan approached the edge of the excavation and shook the meat loose, fiinging the paper after it. As the smell of fresh beef pervaded the air it was greeted by a growl like rising thunder, and almost simultaneously the huge unwieldy form of the bear hurled itself down through the brush. The boys held their breath. Even Roldan felt a singing in his ears. But the grizzly, without pausing to ascertain his bearings, went down into the hole at a leap. He made one mouthful of the meat, then appeared to realise that he was in a trap. With a roar that made the horses rear and neigh like stricken things, he flung himself against the sides of his prison, drew back and leaped clumsily, tore up the earth, and galloped frantically to and fro. But he was caught like a rat in a trap.

The boys laughed gleefully and re mounted their horses, which also seemed to appreciate the situation, for they had quieted suddenly.

" Adios ! Adios ! " cried Roldan, as they forced their way up to the trail the bear had discovered. " You will make a fine skeleton ; we will come back and look at you some day."

But it was not the last they were to see of Bruin in the flesh.

Ill

AN hour later they began to descend the mountain on the other side, and by dawn espied a ranch house in a valley. The white walls were pink under the first streamers of the morning. The redwoods rose like a solid black wall on the towering mountains on every side.

" Ay ! " exclaimed Roldan, drawing a deep sigh. " Sleep and a hot breakfast. They will be good once more."

"They will," answered Adan, who had been collapsing and digging his knuckles into his eyes for an hour and more.

They feared that no one might be stir ring, but, as they approached the verandah, the door opened and a stout smiling Californian, dressed in brown small-clothes, appeared.

" Who have we here ? " he cried. " But you are early visitors, my young friends."

" We are dodging the conscript," said Roldan. " You will not betray us ? "

" I should think not. I 'd hide my own boys, if the mountains did not do that for me. Come in, come in. The house is yours, my sons. Burn it if you will. Tired ? Here. Go in and get into bed. The servants are not up, but I myself will make you chocolate and a tortilla."

The boys did not awaken for eight hours. When they emerged, somewhat shamefacedly, they found the family as sembled on the verandah, drinking their afternoon chocolate, and impatient with curiosity. There were no girls to criti cise the dilapidated garments — which the kind hostess had mended while the boys slept; but there were two youths of fourteen and fifteen and two young men who were lying in hammocks and smoking cigaritos.

Roldan and Adan were made welcome at once.

" My name is Jose Maria Perez," said the host, coming forward. " This is my wife, Dona Theresa, and these are my sons, Emilio, Jorge, Benito, and Carlos. What shall we call you, my sons?"

" My name is Roldan CastaRada of the Rancho Los Palos Verdes, and this is my friend Adan Pardo of the Rancho Buena Vista."

"Ay! we have distinguished visitors. I>ut you were just as welcome before. Sit down while I go and see if the big stew I ordered is done. Caramba! but you must be hungry."

The four lads quickly fraternised, and Roldan began at once to relate their adventures, continuing them over the steaming dish of stew. When he reached the point which dealt with the outwitting of the bear, Don Emilio sprang from his hammock.

"A bear trapped?" he cried. "A grizzly ? We will have a fight with a bull. You are rested, no ? As soon as you have eaten, come and show us the way."

The boys, always ready for sport, and believing that they were beyond the grasp of the law for the present, eagerly con sented. An hour later Don Emilio, Don

Jorge, the four lads, and three vaqueros all sallied forth to capture one poor bear. The vaqueros dragged a sled, and much stout rope.

When they reached the trap darkness had come, but the four boys held lighted torches over the hole — this was their part. The bear, disheartened with his long and futile effort to escape, lay on the uneven surface below, alternately growling and roaring. As the torches flared above him he sprang to his feet with a vast roar, his eyes as green and glittering as marsh lights. In a moment a lasso had flown over his head and he was on his back. But his formidable legs were not to be encountered rashly. Each was lassooed in turn, also his back; then his huge lunging body was dragged up the side of the excavation and onto the sled. There he was bound securely ; then the rope about his neck was loosened and he was fed on a hind quarter of sheep. But it placated him little. His anger was terrific. He roared until the echoes awoke, and strained at the rope unlil it seemed as if his great muscles must conquer.

But he was powerless, and the proces sion started: first Roklan and Benito with their torches; then two vaqueros dragging the sled, the third holding the rope which encircled the bear's neck, ready to tighten it on a second's notice. Following were Don Jorge and Don Kmilio, then the two other young torch bearer-. Thus was poor Bruin carried ignominiously out of the forest where he had been lord, to perform for the benefit of the kind he despised. That night he rested alone in a high walled corral, liberated by the quick knife of one of the vaqueros, who sprang through the door just in time to save himself.

There was an angry guest on the ranch that night. The bear's lungs, which were of the best, had little repose, and he flung himself against the earth walls of the corral until they quivered with the impact. The horses in the neighbouring corrals whin nied ; the cows in the fields bellowed. It was a vocal night, and few slept.

Nevertheless everybody was excited and good-natured next morning. Immediately after breakfast they went out to the corral, and by means of a ladder mounted the wall and stood on the broad summit. At a signal from Don Emilio a vaquero opened the gate cautiously and drove in a large bull, who had been carefully irri tated since sunrise.

The two unamiable beasts, glad of an object to vent their spleen upon, flew at each other. The bear, giant as he was, was ignominiously rolled in the dust by the furious onslaught of bulk and horns. He recovered himself with surprising alac rity, however, and rushed at the bull. The latter, off guard for the moment, and strug gling for his lost breath, was hurled on his back. He rolled over quickly, but before he could gather his legs under him, the bear sat himself squarely upon the heavy flanks. The bull jerked up his head, his eyes injected, his tongue rolling out. The bear raised one of his mighty paws and dealt him a box on the ear. The head fell with an ugly thud on the hard floor of the corral. The bear adjusted himself comfortably and licked his paws.

On the wall the onlookers were far more excited than the gladiators in the arena. The Perez sympathised with their personal property, but Roldan and Adan felt that the bear was their menagerie, and that their honour was at stake. Party feeling ran very high. Roldan and Benito were twice separated by their anxious elders.

"Ay! yi!" cried Carlos. "The bull wakes."

The poor bull, in truth, despite the crushing weight on his vitals, raised his head again, shook himself feebly, and was once more boxed into unconsciousness. The side of his face was crushed ; his body was slowly flattening. The family encouraged him with tears and spirit.

" Ay, Ignacio, Ignacio, my poor one ! M cried Don Jose. " Arouse thyself and kill the brute. Ay ! thou wert so beautiful, so elegant, thy sleek sides like the satin of Dona Theresa — and he like a wild man that has never washed. Where is thy pride, Ignacio? .Arouse thyself!"

Thus encouraged, the bull raised his head once more. The bear gave him a whack that snapped his spinal cord, then rose and swung himself round the enclos ure with the arrogant mien of a bloated sultan who has swept off a troublesome head. This attitude aroused Benito to fury.

" Ay, the cheat ! the assassin ! " he cried. " It was not a fair fight. Our Ignacio had no chance — "

" That is not true ! " exclaimed Roldan. " He had the same chance at the first. If you are not satisfied, Senorito Benito, then fight me."

No sooner said than done. The boys, who stood some distance from the others, doubled their fists and rushed at each other like two fighting cocks. They pom melled for several minutes, then locked their arms about each other and went reeling about the wall, to the horror of the others, who dared not approach lest they should inflame them further.

" Jump down ! Jump down, you im beciles ! " cried Don Jose. " Do you wish to be food for the bear ? A misstep — " The words ended in a hoarse gurgle. Dona Theresa shrieked. Adan and Car los sobbed. The young men turned cold and weak. The two boys had fallen head long into the corral.

They were sobered and fraternal in a moment. The bear stood upon his hind legs and opened his arms invitingly. He stood in front of the gate.

44 Ay! ay!" gasped Benito. "He wili eat us!"

44 No ; he will eat the bull first ; but he will hug us to death — that is, if he gets us — which he won't. Adan!" he cried, " lower the ladder."

Benito began to cry, his terror enhanced by the babel of voices on the wall, each of which was suggesting a different measure. On the opposite wall and in the branches of a neighbouring tree were the Indian servants and "the vaqueros. They stared stupidly, with shaking lips.

Adan had recovered his presence of mind. With a firm hand, he lowered the ladder. But his wit was not quick. He should have carried it along the wall and placed it behind the boys. Instead, it de scended several yards away. The bear, who appeared to be no fool, lowered his forepaws and trotted slowly toward the boys.

"Juan ! " shouted Roldan to a vaquero. " Lasso the bull and drag him to the west side — far from the gate."

The vaquero, alert enough under orders, swung the lasso with supple wrist — and missed. The boys dodged the bear, who seemed in no haste, but stalked them methodically, nevertheless. The vaquero swung again. This time the rope caught the horns, was tightened by a quick turn, and the carcass went thudding across the yard. The bear gave a furious howl and plunged after. The boys scampered up the ladder. Don Jose took each by the collar and shook them soundly. When they were released they embraced each other.

"Ay! but I was inhospitable to fight my guest," sobbed Benito.

" Ay, my friend," said Roldan, with dig nity, winking back the tears started by various emotions. " It is I who should have had my ears boxed by the bear for insult ing my host, and bringing anguish to the house of Perez." Then he embraced Adan, but this time mutely.

Doila Theresa had been carried to her room, where she lay prcstrated with a ner vous headache; but her family and guests did ample justice to the chickens stewed in tomatoes, the red peppers and onions, the fried rice, tomales, and dulces which her cook had prepared in honour of the event. Excitement and good will reigned ; even Don Jose had forgiven the young offenders, and they all talked at once, at the top of their voices, as fast as they could rattle and with no falling inflection. Roldan and Adan were pressed to remain at the Hacienda Perez until the search was over, and although the former had a secret yearning for adventure he was more than half inclined to consent.

After a brief siesta the entire male pop ulation of the hacienda retired to the wall of the corral to pot the bear. It was agreed that each should fire at once, and that he who missed should have no dulces for a week.

The bear was sitting near the middle of the corral, surly but replete, for he had eaten of the bull. Don Jose gave the signal. Twenty-two shots were fired. The bear gave a roar which awoke the echoes of the forest, lunged frantically on shattered legs, then fell, an ugly heap of dusty grey hair.

As the smoke cleared and Don Jose was announcing that only two Indian ser vants had missed, Benito clutched Roldan's arm suddenly.

" Look up," he said. " Do you see any thing? Are not those men ; soldiers ? "

Roldan looked up to a ledge of the high mountain before the house. A bend of the trail traversed a clearing. In this open were three men on horseback, mo tionless for the moment.

" Adan ! " shouted Roldan. He ran> down the ladder.

" I cannot be sure that those are the sol diers," he called up to Don Jose. " But I take no risks. We must go."

The others descended hastily. " My sons will have to hide too," said Don Jose. " There is plenty of time. In a moment those men will be in the forest again and can see nothing more for half an hour. \\ e must do nothing while they watch — there ! they have gone."

He shouted to the vaqueros to saddle six fresh horses, and ordered the house servants to pack the bags with food.

" There is a cave in the mountain on the other side which I defy anyone to find," said Don Jose. " If there were a war my sons should fight, but I need them now."

While the horses were saddling, Roldan and Adan consulted together. At the end of a few moments the former went up to Don Jose.

" I think it would be wiser to separate," he said. " Adan and I will go one way, your sons another. That will put them off the track ; and the cave, Carlos says, i- not very large."

"As you like," said Don Jose, who was perturbed and busy. " A vaquero will go with you for a distance and advise you."

The Valiant Runaways 3 i

The truth was, Roldan fancied lying inert in a cave for several days as little as he fancied the somnolent life of a barrack, and Adan, who had a secret preference for the cave, was too loyal to oppose him.

In ten minutes the horses were ready, affectionate good-byes said, and Roldan and Adan, followed by many good wishes, and prayers to return, started southeast ward through a dense canon.

IV

THE vaquero guided the boys rapidly through the cafion. The almost perpendicular walls, black with a dense growth of brush and scrub trees, towered so high above them- that the atmosphere was damp and the long strip of sky was like a pale-blue banner. The trail was well worn, and there was nothing to im pede their progress. The mustangs re sponded to the lifted bridle and ran at breakneck speed. They emerged at the end of half an hour. It was an abrupt sally, and the great level plain before them seemed a blaze of sunlight.

" Bueno" said the vaquero, halting. *' Ride straight ahead. Keep to the trail. At night you will come to a river. Before you reach it all trace of you will be lost, because between now and there are many side trails, and as the ground is so hard they cannot tell which you take. Cross the river and take the trail to the left. That will bring you to the Mission — about twenty miles farther — where the good padres will let you rest and give you fresh horses. The senor, meanwhile, will throw the officers off the scent. But if you are wise, you will make for the Sierras and hide there. Adios, senor, adios, senor; "and he wheeled about and disappeared into the darkness of the canon.

" We are like the babes in the wood," said Adan. " I feel as if we never should find our way home again."

"We shall," said Roldan, stoutly; al though he, too, felt the chill of the im mense solitude. " And we have begun well ! What an adventure to start with I I am sure we shall have more."

Adan crossed himself.

The boys rode at a long even gallop, the high chaparral closing behind them. Every half hour they paused, and Roldan, dismounting, held his ear to the ground. But as yet they were unpursued.

A soft wind blew over the plain, fra grant with the honeydew of the chaparral.

The sun set in a great bank of yellow cloud. Then the night came suddenly.

A few moments later Roldan called: " Halt ! " and held up his hand. " I hear the rush of the water," he said. " We must be near the river."

" It sounds as if it was high," said Adan. 44 It has rained hard this month. Suppose these horses don't swim ? "

" We '11 make them. Come on."

" Ay ! yi ! " exclaimed Adan, not many moments after.

They pulled up suddenly on the banks of the river, a body of water about three hundred yards wide. It was swollen almost level with the high banks. The tumul tuous waters were racing as if Neptune astride them was fleeing from angry gods. There is something unhuman in the roar of an angry river : it has a knell in it.

Roldan and Adan looked at each other. The latter's face had paled. Roldan con tracted his lids suddenly, and when his friend met the glance that grew between them he compressed his lips and involuntarily straightened himself: he knew its significance.

" We must cross," said Roldan. " It would never do to spend the night on this side. If they followed, they would never suspect us of crossing. If we remained here, we could not hear them until they were upon us."

" Very well," said Adan.

Roldan raised his bridle. The mustang; did not move forward, but cowered. " I don't like to hurt horses," said the young don, " but he 's got to go." He clapped his spurs savagely against the animal's, sides, and the next moment the waves were lashing about him.

Adan was beside him at once, and together they breasted the rushing waters. The mustangs were strong and made fair headway, incited by terror and the spur. The water was very cold, but the boys scarcely felt it. Their eyes were strained .toward the opposite shore, measuring the distance, which seemed to grow less very slowly. The stars were thick and the moon was floating just above the chaparral, but the darkness about them was grim, and only a narrow line of white indicated the shore.

The horses were not able to keep a straight course. The current lashed them about more than once, but they righted, shook the water from their quivering nostrils, and plunged on.

The boys' glance so persistently sought their haven that they saw nothing of what was passing about them. They were within twenty yards of the shore. Adan, having the stronger beast, was some little distance ahead. He did not observe it. He was registering a vow that if he reached land in safety he would be drafted every year of his life before he would ford another river after heavy rain.