The Flag of Distress Part 9

"What?" asks the Creole, excitedly.

"Why, that the one represented as your compet.i.tor has cut out all Carmen's other admirers--yourself among the rest."

Bitter words to the ear of Francisco de Lara, bringing the red colour to his cheeks, as if they had been smitten by a switch. With eyes flas.h.i.+ng, and full of jealous fire, he exclaims:

"If that be so, I'll do as I've said--"

"Do what?"

"_Kill Carmen Montijo_! I swear it. I'm in earnest, Calderon, and mean it. If it be as you've heard, I'll surely kill her. I've the right to her life--by her giving me the right to her love."

"But did she do that? Has she ever confessed to loving you?"

"Not in words, I admit. But there are other signs of a.s.sent strong as speech, or the hand-squeezings you speak of. Carmen Montijo may be cunning. Some call her a coquette. All I know is, that she has led me to believe she loved me; and if she's been playing a false game, she shall rue it, one way or the other. This day I'm determined to ascertain the truth, by offering her my hand, as I've said, and asking hers. If she refuse it, then I'll know how things stand, and take steps for squaring accounts between us. She shall find that Frank Lara is not the sort of man to let one of womankind either laugh at, or play tricks with him."

"I admire your spirit, _amigo_. I catch courage from it, and will imitate your action. If it turn out that Inez has been trifling with me, I'll--well, we must first find what answer there is for us; which we shall, I suppose, soon after ascending yonder hill. One of us may be accepted, the other rejected. In that case, one will be happy, the other wretched. Or both may be accepted, and then we'll both be blessed. Taking things at their worst, and that we both get refused-- what then? Despair, and a speedy end, I suppose?"

"The last, if you like, but not the first. When despair comes to Frank Lara, death will come along with it, of soon after. But we waste time talking; let us forward and learn our fate!"

With stroke of spur, urging their horses into a gallop, the two hasten on; in the countenances of both a cast showing them half-hopeful, half-doubting--such as may be seen when men are about to make some desperate attempt, with uncertainty as to the result. On Calderon's, notwithstanding his a.s.sumed levity, the expression is almost despairing; on that of De Lara it is more defiant and demon-like.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

A RUDE RENCONTRE.

Having steeled themselves to the reception of their rival suitors, with brave words one supporting the other, the two girls remain upon the _azotea_. Meanwhile, the man-o'-war's boat has been drawing in towards the beach, heading for a little embayment, formed by the sh.o.r.e-line and the sand-bar already spoken of.

The hors.e.m.e.n advancing from the town-side do not see it; nor can the crew of the boat perceive them. The land-ridge is between the two parties, its crest concealing them from one another.

They are approaching it at a like rate of speed; for although the horses appear to be in a gallop, it is only a fancy gait fas.h.i.+onable among Spanish-Americans, its purpose to exhibit equestrian skill. For the two hors.e.m.e.n looking up the hill, have seen heads on the house-top, and know that ladies' eyes are upon them.

Surrept.i.tiously goaded by the spur, their steeds plunge and curvet, apparently progressing at a rapid pace, but in reality gaining little ground.

After a time both parties disappear from the eyes of those on the _azotea_. They have gone under the brow of the hill, which, overhanging for a short distance, shuts out a view of the road, as also the sea-sh.o.r.e, along the sand-spit.

Unseen from above, the man-o'-war's boat beaches, and the two officers spring out upon the strand. One of them turning, says something to the c.o.xswain, who has remained in the stern-sheets, with the tiller-ropes in hand. It is an order, with instructions about where and when he is to wait for them on return to the s.h.i.+p.

"At the new wharf in the harbour," Crozier is heard to say; for it is he who commands.

His order given, the boat shoves off, and is rowed back towards the s.h.i.+p; while the officers commence climbing the slope, to get upon the sh.o.r.e-road.

At the same time the hors.e.m.e.n are ascending from the opposite side.

Soon both parties are again within view of those on the house-top; though neither as yet sees the other, or has any suspicion of such mutual proximity. The crest of the ridge is still between, but in a few seconds more they will sight one another.

The men afoot are advancing at about the same rate of speed as those on horseback. The latter have ceased showing off, as if satisfied with the impression they must have made, and are now approaching in tranquil gait, but with an air of subdued triumph--the mock modesty of the _matador_, who, with blood-stained sword, bends meekly before the box where beauty sits smiling approbation.

The two pedestrians climb the hill less ceremoniously. Glad to stretch their limbs upon land--"shake the knots out of their knees," as Cadwallader gleefully remarks--they eagerly scale the steep. Not silent either, but laughing and shouting like a couple of schoolboys abroad for an afternoon's holiday.

Suddenly coming within view of the house, they bring their boisterous humour under restraint at sight of two heads above the parapet. For they know to whom these belong, and note that the faces are turned towards them.

At the same instant the hors.e.m.e.n also see the heads, and observe that the faces are _not_ turned towards _them_. On the contrary, _from_ them, the ladies looking in another direction.

Some chagrin in this. After all their grand caracolling, and feats of equitation, which must have been witnessed by the fair spectators.

At what are these now gazing? Is it a s.h.i.+p sailing up the bay, or something else on the water? No matter what, and whether on land, or water; enough for the conceited fellows to think they are being slightingly received.

Disconcerted, they seek an explanation, mutually questioning one another. But before either can make answer in speech, they have it under their eyes--in the shape of a brace of British naval officers.

Like themselves, the latter have just reached the summit of the ridge, and are moving on towards Don Gregorio's gate. It is midway between; and keeping on at the same rate of speed, the two pairs will meet directly in front of it.

Before that moment, neither has ever set eyes on the other.

Notwithstanding, there is an expression on the faces of all four, which tells of mutual recognition, and of no friendly nature.

Calderon whispers to De Lara:

"The English officers!"

Cadwallader says, _sotto-voce_ to Crozier:

"The fellows we've heard about--our rivals, Ned, like ourselves, I suppose, going to visit the girls."

De Lara makes no response to Calderon. Neither does Crozier to Cadwallader. There is not time. They are now close up to the gate, and there is only its breadth between them.

They have arrived there at the same instant of time, and simultaneously make stop. Face to face, silence on both sides, neither word nor salute offered in exchange. But looks are quite as expressive--glances that speak the language of jealous rivalry--of rage with difficulty suppressed.

It is a question of precedence, as to who shall first pa.s.s into the entrance. Their hesitation was not from any courtesy, but the reverse.

The men on horseback look down on those afoot contemptuously, scornfully. Threateningly, too; as though they had thoughts of riding over, and trampling them under the hoofs of their horses. No doubt they would like to do it, and might make trial, were the young officers unarmed. But they are not. Crozier carries a pistol--Cadwallader his mids.h.i.+pman's dirk, both weapons conspicuous outside their uniforms.

For a period of several seconds' duration, the rivals stand _vis-a-vis_, neither venturing to advance. Around them is a nimbus of angry electricity, that needs but a spark to kindle it into furious flame. A single word will do it. This word spoken, and two of the four may never enter Don Gregorio's gate--at least not alive.

It is not spoken. The only thing said is by Crozier to Cadwallader--not in a whisper, but aloud, and without regard to what effect it may have on the enemy.

"Come along, Will! We've something better to do than stand s.h.i.+lly-shallying here. Heave after me, s.h.i.+pmate!"

Crozier's speech cut the Gordian knot; and the officers, gliding through the gateway, advance along the avenue.

With faces now turned towards the house, they see the ladies still upon the _azotea_.

Soon as near enough for Carmen to observe it, Crozier draws out the treasured tress, and fastens it in his cap, behind the gold band. It falls over his shoulder like a cataract of liquid amber.

Cadwallader does likewise; and from his cap also streams a tress, black as the plumes of a raven.

The two upon the house-top appear pleased by this display. They show their approval by imitating it. Each raises hand to her riding-hat; and when these are withdrawn, a curl of hair is seen set behind their _toquillas_--one chestnut-brown, the other of yellowish hue.

Scarce is this love-telegraphy exchanged, when the two Californians come riding up the avenue, at full speed. Though lingering at the gate, and still far-off, De Lara had observed the affair of the tresses, clearly comprehending the symbolism of the act. Exasperated beyond bounds, he can no longer control himself, and cares not what may come.