The Flag of Distress Part 17

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

"HASTA CADIZ!"

On leaving Captain Lantanas, the _ex-ganadero_ returns to his house-- though not direct. He has business to transact in the town, which stays him. He has to see Don Tomas Silvestre, the s.h.i.+pping-agent, and give directions about inserting the advertis.e.m.e.nt for sailors. That is an affair that will occupy only a few minutes. But he has another with the agent of a more important kind. He is personally acquainted with Silvestre, who is, like himself, a Peninsular Spaniard and Biscayan.

Don Gregorio knows he can trust him, and does--telling him all he has told Lantanas, making further known the arrangement he has entered into for pa.s.sages to Panama, and instructing him to a.s.sist the Chilian skipper in procuring a crew.

The more confidential matter relates to the s.h.i.+pment of his gold-dust.

He trembles to think of the risk he runs of losing it. San Francisco is filled with queer characters--men who would stick at nothing.

Don Tomas knows this without being told. And the thought haunts the Biscayan like a spectre, that he will have his treasure taken from him by theft, burglary, or bold open robbery.

He has good reason for so apprehending. Among the latest accessions to the population of San Francisco all three cla.s.ses of criminals are represented, and in no stinted numbers. There are ticket-of-leave men from Australia, jail-birds from the penitentiaries of the States, 'scape-the-gallows customers from every quarter of the globe; to say nothing of the native bandits, of which California has its share. If known to these that yellow metal, to the value of three hundred thousand dollars, was lying unguarded in the house of Don Gregorio Montijo, it would not be there many days or nights. Its owner has done what he could to keep this a secret; but the sale and transfer of his land have leaked out, as also the handsome price obtained, and paid over to him; hence a natural inference that the cash must be deposited somewhere.

And everyone well knows it will be in gold-dust; since banks have not yet been established, and there are not obtainable notes enough in San Francisco to cover a tenth part of the amount. He had tried to convert it thus--as more convenient for carriage and safety--but failed.

In fine, after confiding his fears to Silvestre, and taking counsel from him, he decides upon the plan, already in part communicated to Captain Lantanas--of having the endangered gold-dust secretly conveyed to the _Condor_ that very night. Don Tomas will provide the boat, with a trusty sailor-servant he has attached to his establishment, to a.s.sist in the removal and rowing. They can take it aboard without pa.s.sing through the town, or at all touching at the port. The boat can be brought to the beach below Don Gregorio's house, and the gold quietly carried down to it. Thence they can transport it direct to the s.h.i.+p. Once there, Lantanas will know how to dispose of it; and surely it will be safe in his custody--at all events, safer there than anywhere else in San Francisco. So thinks Don Gregorio, the s.h.i.+p-agent agreeing with him.

Soon everything is settled; for they spend not many minutes in discussing the matter. The _ex-ganadero_ knows that by this time his house will be empty, excepting the servants: for the ride on which his girls have gone was arranged by himself, to gratify his expected visitors. He thinks apprehensively of the unprotected treasure, and longs to be beside it. So, remounting the stout cob that brought him to town, he rides hastily home.

On arrival there, he retires to his sleeping apartment; where he spends the remainder of the day, having given strict orders not to be called, till the party of equestrians comes back.

But although confining himself to the chamber, he does not go to bed, nor otherwise take repose. On the contrary, he is busy throughout the whole afternoon, getting ready his treasure for surrept.i.tious transport, for it is there in the room--has been ever since it came into his possession. Almost fearing to trust it out of his sight, he sleeps beside it.

Some of it is in bags, some in boxes; and he now rearranges it in the most convenient form for carriage to the Chilian s.h.i.+p, and safe stowage in her cabin-lockers.

He has not yet completed his task, when he hears the trampling of hoofs on the gravelled sweep outside. The riding-party has returned.

The _saguan_ bell rings; the heavy door grates back on its hinges; and, soon after, the horses, with the riders still on their backs, stand panting in the _patio_.

The master of the house sallies forth to receive his guests. He sees them hastening to a.s.sist the ladies in dismounting. But before either cavalier can come near them, both leap lightly out of their saddles; then, gliding into the corridor, fling their arms around Don Gregorio's neck--daughter and grand-daughter alike calling him "papa."

They are effusively affectionate--more than usually so--for this night both have a favour to ask of him. And he knows, or can guess, what it is. He has not been blind to what has been pa.s.sing between them, and the young English officers. He suspects that vows have been exchanged-- a double proposal made--and antic.i.p.ates a demand upon himself to sanction it.

In both cases he is prepared to do this. For he is not unacquainted with either the character, or social standing, of those seeking an alliance with him. He has been aboard the British frigate, and from Captain Bracebridge obtained information on these points. Satisfactory in every sense. Both the young officers bear an excellent reputation.

Though differing in other respects, they are alike skilled in their profession--each "every inch a seaman," as their commander worded it.

Besides, both are of good family--Cadwallader moderately rich--Crozier in prospect of being immensely so--either of them fit mate for the proudest senora in Spain. Don Gregorio's reason for supposing that on this day engagements have been entered into, is, that the young officers are about to take departure from the port. The _Crusader_ is under Admiralty orders to sail for the Sandwich Islands, soon as a corvette coming thence reaches San Francisco. Captain Bracebridge has been commissioned by the British Government to transact some diplomatic business with King Kamehameha. That done, he is to look in at the ports of Panama and Callao; then home--afterwards to join the Mediterranean squadron. As the _Crusader_, on her way to the Mediterranean, will surely call at Cadiz, the vows this day exchanged on the sh.o.r.e of the Pacific, can be thus conveniently renewed on the other side of the Atlantic.

At dinner--which is served soon after and in sumptuous style--Don Gregorio makes his guests aware of the fact, that he has secured pa.s.sages for Panama, and may leave San Francisco soon as they. He confides to them the secret of his having chartered the Chilian s.h.i.+p--in short, telling them all he has told her captain--echoing the lament made by the latter about his difficulty in obtaining a crew.

"Perhaps," rejoins Crozier, after hearing this, "I can help your skipper to at least one good sailor. Do you think, Will," he continues, addressing himself to the young Welshman, "that Harry Blew is still in San Francisco, or has he gone off to the diggings?"

"I fancy he's still here," responds Cadwallader. "He was aboard the frigate only the day before yesterday--having a shake hands with his old comrades of the forecastle."

"Who is the Senor Bloo?" inquires their host.

"A true British tar--if you know what that means, Don Gregorio--lately belonging to our s.h.i.+p, and one of the best sailors on our books. He's off them now, as his time was out; and like many another, though not better man, has made up his mind to go gold-seeking on the Sacramento.

Still, if he be not gone, I think we might persuade him to take a trip on the craft you speak of. It was once Harry's sinister luck to slip overboard in the harbour of Guaymas--dropping almost into the jaws of a _tintorero_ shark--and my good fortune to be able to rescue him out of his perilous plight. He is not the man to be ungrateful; and, if still in San Francisco, I think you may count upon him for taking service on board this Chilian vessel. True, he's only one, but worth two--ay, ten.

He not only knows how to work a s.h.i.+p's sails, but on a pinch could take a lunar, and make good any port in the Pacific."

"A most valuable man!" exclaims Don Gregorio; "would be worth his weight in gold to Captain Lantanas. I'm sure the Chilian skipper would at once make him his mate. Do you suppose you can find him?"

"If in San Francisco, yes. We shall search for him this very night; and, if found, send him either to the Chilian skipper or to the s.h.i.+pping-agent you've spoken of--Silvestre. By the way, what's his address?"

"Here," answers Don Gregorio, drawing forth a card, and handing it across the table to Crozier. "That's the place where Don Tomas transacts business. It's but a poor little shed down by the beach, near the new pier, lately constructed. Indeed, I believe he sleeps there-- house-rent in San Francis...o...b..ing at present something fabulous."

"This will do," says Crozier, putting the card into his pocket. "If Henry Blew can be found, he won't be far from Silvestre's office--if not this night, by early daybreak to-morrow morning."

It is not the custom of either Spaniards, or Spanish-Americans, to tarry long over the dinner-table. The cloth once removed, and the ladies gone, a gla.s.s or two of Port, Xeres, or Pedro Ximenes, and the gentlemen also retire; not for business, but recreation out of doors, so pleasant in southern climes.

Dona Carmen and her niece have ascended to the _azotea_, to enjoy the sweet twilight of a Californian summer; whither they are soon followed by Crozier and Cadwallader.

The master of the house has for a time parted with them--under the excuse of having affairs to attend to. It is to complete the packing of his gold-dust. But before leaving the _sala de comer_, and while emptying their last gla.s.s together, he has been approached by his sailor-guests on that subject uppermost in their thoughts, and dearest to their hearts. Asked if he be agreeable to become the father-in-law of one, and the--Cadwallader had difficulty in finding a word for it--_grandfather-in-law_ of the other, to both interrogatories he has given the same answer--"Yes."

No wonder that, with bright faces and bounding step, the young officers rush out, and up to the _azotea_, there to rejoin the senoritas.

Their tale told to the latter--who have been awaiting them in anxious expectation--will save both a world of confusion and blushes. No need now for _them_ to talk to "papa." His consent has been obtained--they are aware he will keep his word.

Again the four, now formally betrothed, separate into twos, taking opposite sides of the aerial garden.

They converse about the far future--that awaiting them at Cadiz. But the ladies cannot overlook, or forget, some perils more proximate. The retrospect of the day throws a shadow over the morrow. That encounter with De Lara and Calderon cannot end without further action. Not likely; and both aunt and niece recall it, questioning their now affianced lovers--adjuring them to refrain from fighting.

These reply, making light of the matter, declaring confidence in their own strength and skill, whatever be the upshot--at length, so a.s.suring their sweethearts, that both believe them invincible, invulnerable.

What woman who does not believe the same of him who holds her heart?

Time pa.s.ses; the last moments speed silently, sweetly, in the old, old ecstasy of all-absorbing, time-killing love.

Then the inevitable "_Adios_!" though sounding less harshly by favour of the appended phrase--"_Hasta Cadiz_!"

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

ON PLEASURE BENT.

The clocks of San Francisco are striking the hour of ten. The moon has risen over Monte Diablo, and sends her soft mellow beams across the waters of the bay, imparting to their placid surface a sheen as of silver. The forms of the s.h.i.+ps at anchor are reflected as from a mirror; their hulls, with every spar, stay, and brace, even to the most delicate rope of their rigging, having a duplicated representative in the fict.i.tious counterfeit beneath. On none is there any canvas spread; and the unfurled flags do not display their fields, but hang motionless along masts, or droop dead down over taffrails.

Stillness, almost complete, reigns throughout; scarce a sound proceeding either from the s.h.i.+ps insh.o.r.e, or those out in the offing; not even the rattle of a chain dropping or weighing anchor, the chant of a night-watch at the windla.s.s, or the song of jovial tar entertaining his messmates as they sit squatted around the forecastle stair.

Unusual this silence at such an early hour, though easily accounted for.

That there are so few noises from the s.h.i.+ps in San Francis...o...b..y, is explained by the fact of their being but few men to make them--in many cases not a single soul aboard. All have deserted; either for good, and are gone to the "diggings," or only for the night, to take part in the pleasures and dissipations of the town. Now and then a boat may be seen, putting off from, or returning to, the side of some vessel better manned--by its laborious movement, and the unmeasured stroke of oars, telling that even it lacks a full complement of crew.

Inside the town, everything is different. There, noises enough, with plenty of people; crowded streets, flas.h.i.+ng lights, and a Babel-like confusion of voices. It is now the hour when iniquity has commenced its nightly career, or, rather, reached its full flush; since in San Francisco certain kinds of it are carried on throughout all hours of the day. Business houses are closed; but these are in small proportion to the places of pleasure, which keep their doors and windows wide open, and where dissipation reigns paramount, as permanent. Into the gambling-saloons go men laden with gold-dust, often coming out with their wallets lighter than when they went in, but their hearts a deal heavier. After toiling for months up to their middle, in the chill waters of streams that course down from the eternal snows of the Sierra Nevada, working, was.h.i.+ng--while so occupied, half-starving--they return to San Francisco to scatter in a single night--oft in one hour--the h.o.a.rded gatherings of a half-year!

Into this pleasure-seeking city are about to enter two personages of very different appearance from those usually seen loitering in its saloons or hastening through its streets; for they are young officers belonging to a British frigate--Edward Crozier and William Cadwallader.

They are returning to their s.h.i.+p; not directly, as they were rowed ash.o.r.e, but through the town; Crozier having ordered the boat to be brought to one of the rough wooden wharfs recently erected.