The Valiant Runaways [33]
it," said Adan, philosophically.
The boys concocted a plan of campaign to their satisfaction, then went
home to supper. Don Tiburcio and his wife, Dona Martina, were already
seated at the table in the big bare room. The grandee was a huge man
with a soft profile, and cheeks as large and cream-hued as one of the
magnolias hanging in the patio. He had an expression of indolent good-
nature above his straight mouth, and long hands that looked lean and
hard when they closed suddenly. He was a man of much influence in the
politics of his country. His small-clothes were of dark green cloth with
large silver buttons, the lace on his linen was fine and abundant. Dona
Martina wore a gown of stiff flowered silk and a profusion of topaz
ornaments. As the boys entered and bowed respectfully, Don Tiburcio eyed
them keenly, but shook them cordially by the hand.
"So you are the son of Mateo Castanada," he said to Roldan. "It is
evident enough, although you have something in the face that he has not.
Otherwise I should not have done him to death in more than one political
battle. Well, my sons, you are very welcome, and the longer you stay
with us the better. The officers passed here some days ago--Rafael hid
in the garret for the two days I feasted them, and they do not know that
I have a son so young. Well, you are in good time to help my son enjoy
his Christmas."
There was an abundant supper of meat with hot pepper-sauce, tomatoes and
eggs baked together, and many dulces. The boys wondered if dried meat
and coarse cakes were part of an adventurous dream.
The next morning chocolate was brought to the boys at half-past five,
after which they dressed, and mounting the mustangs. awaiting their
pleasure in the courtyard, went off for a morning canter. At Roldan's
suggestion they reconnoitred the hills behind the Mission and got the
bearings definitely shaped in their minds; the great raid was to be at
night. They returned to a big breakfast at nine o'clock, then rode out
again to meet the expected guests. It was but a few moments before they
saw several cavalcades approaching from as many different directions.
The young men and women, in silken clothes of every hue, were on horses
caparisoned with velvet, carved leather, and silver; in many instances a
girl had proud possession of the saddle, while her swain bestrode the
anquera behind, his arm supporting her waist. Roldan wondered if
anything would ever induce him to sacrifice his dignity like that. (It
may be remarked here, as this history has only to do with the famous
Californian's boyhood, that the day came when he could bow the knee to
the fair sex with as graceful an ardour as did he not employ his sterner
moments making laws and enforcing them.) The older folk travelled in
carretas, the conveyance of the country, a springless wagon set on
wheels cut from the solid thickness of the tree. It was driven by
gananes, sitting astride the mustangs and singing lustily. The interior
was lined with satin and padded, but was probably uncomfortable enough.
Everybody looked smiling and happy, and a number of lads left their
respective parties and cantered over to Rafael and his guests. A few
moments later they all galloped at the top speed of their much-enduring
mustangs to a great clump of oaks, where they dismounted and listened
with breathless interest to the adventures of Roldan and Adan. All had
been drafted, and must leave for barracks with the new year. They
complimented the adventurers in a curious mixture of stately Spanish and
eager youthfulness, and their admiration was so apparent that our heroes
would have doubled the dangers of the past on the spot.
When they returned home to dinner the great space before the house was
filled with shining horses pawing the ground under their heavy saddles.
The court and corridors were an animated scene, overflowing with dons
and donas in brilliant array. When dinner was over and the grown-up
guests and young girls were lingering over the Christmas dulces, all the
boys slipped away
The boys concocted a plan of campaign to their satisfaction, then went
home to supper. Don Tiburcio and his wife, Dona Martina, were already
seated at the table in the big bare room. The grandee was a huge man
with a soft profile, and cheeks as large and cream-hued as one of the
magnolias hanging in the patio. He had an expression of indolent good-
nature above his straight mouth, and long hands that looked lean and
hard when they closed suddenly. He was a man of much influence in the
politics of his country. His small-clothes were of dark green cloth with
large silver buttons, the lace on his linen was fine and abundant. Dona
Martina wore a gown of stiff flowered silk and a profusion of topaz
ornaments. As the boys entered and bowed respectfully, Don Tiburcio eyed
them keenly, but shook them cordially by the hand.
"So you are the son of Mateo Castanada," he said to Roldan. "It is
evident enough, although you have something in the face that he has not.
Otherwise I should not have done him to death in more than one political
battle. Well, my sons, you are very welcome, and the longer you stay
with us the better. The officers passed here some days ago--Rafael hid
in the garret for the two days I feasted them, and they do not know that
I have a son so young. Well, you are in good time to help my son enjoy
his Christmas."
There was an abundant supper of meat with hot pepper-sauce, tomatoes and
eggs baked together, and many dulces. The boys wondered if dried meat
and coarse cakes were part of an adventurous dream.
The next morning chocolate was brought to the boys at half-past five,
after which they dressed, and mounting the mustangs. awaiting their
pleasure in the courtyard, went off for a morning canter. At Roldan's
suggestion they reconnoitred the hills behind the Mission and got the
bearings definitely shaped in their minds; the great raid was to be at
night. They returned to a big breakfast at nine o'clock, then rode out
again to meet the expected guests. It was but a few moments before they
saw several cavalcades approaching from as many different directions.
The young men and women, in silken clothes of every hue, were on horses
caparisoned with velvet, carved leather, and silver; in many instances a
girl had proud possession of the saddle, while her swain bestrode the
anquera behind, his arm supporting her waist. Roldan wondered if
anything would ever induce him to sacrifice his dignity like that. (It
may be remarked here, as this history has only to do with the famous
Californian's boyhood, that the day came when he could bow the knee to
the fair sex with as graceful an ardour as did he not employ his sterner
moments making laws and enforcing them.) The older folk travelled in
carretas, the conveyance of the country, a springless wagon set on
wheels cut from the solid thickness of the tree. It was driven by
gananes, sitting astride the mustangs and singing lustily. The interior
was lined with satin and padded, but was probably uncomfortable enough.
Everybody looked smiling and happy, and a number of lads left their
respective parties and cantered over to Rafael and his guests. A few
moments later they all galloped at the top speed of their much-enduring
mustangs to a great clump of oaks, where they dismounted and listened
with breathless interest to the adventures of Roldan and Adan. All had
been drafted, and must leave for barracks with the new year. They
complimented the adventurers in a curious mixture of stately Spanish and
eager youthfulness, and their admiration was so apparent that our heroes
would have doubled the dangers of the past on the spot.
When they returned home to dinner the great space before the house was
filled with shining horses pawing the ground under their heavy saddles.
The court and corridors were an animated scene, overflowing with dons
and donas in brilliant array. When dinner was over and the grown-up
guests and young girls were lingering over the Christmas dulces, all the
boys slipped away