Chapter XV. In Commemoration

by Andy Adams

　　A heavy rainfall continued the greater portion of two days. None of usventured away from the house until the weather settled, and meantime Iplayed the fiddle almost continuously. Night work and coarse living incamps had prepared us to enjoy the comforts of a house, as well as to dojustice to the well-laden table. Miss Jean prided herself, on specialoccasions and when the ranch had company, on good dinners; but incommemoration of the breaking of this drouth, with none but us boys toshare it, she spread a continual feast. The Mexican contingent were notforgotten by master or mistress, and the ranch supplies in the warehousewere drawn upon, delicacies as well as staples, not only for thejacals about headquarters but also for the outlying ranchitas. Thenative element had worked faithfully during the two years in which norain to speak of had fallen, until the breaking hour, and were notforgotten in the hour of deliverance. Even the stranger vaqueros werecompelled to share the hospitality of Las Palomas like invited guests.While the rain continued falling, Uncle Lance paced the gallery almostnight and day. Fearful lest the downpour might stop, he stood guard,noting every change in the rainfall, barely taking time to eat or catchan hour's sleep. But when the grateful rain had continued until theevening of the second day, assuring a bountiful supply of water allover our range, he joined us at supper, exultant as a youth of twenty."Boys," said he, "this has been a grand rain. If our tanks hold, we willbe independent for the next eighteen months, and if not another dropfalls, the river ought to flow for a year. I have seen worse drouthssince I lived here, but what hurt us now was the amount of cattle andthe heavy drift which flooded down on us from up the river and north onthe Frio. The loss is nothing; we won't notice it in another year. Ihave kept a close tally of the hides taken, and our brand will be shortabout two thousand, or less than ten per cent of our total numbers. Theywere principally old cows and will not be missed. The calf crop thisfall will be short, but taking it up one side and down the other, we gotoff lucky."The third day after the rain began the sun rose bright and clear. Not ahoof of cattle or horses was in sight, and though it was midsummer, thefreshness of earth and air was like that of a spring morning. Every onefelt like riding. While awaiting the arrival of saddle horses, theextra help hired during the drouth was called in and settled with. Twobrothers, Fidel and Carlos Trujillo, begged for permanent employment.They were promising young fellows, born on the Aransas River, and afterconsulting with Deweese Uncle Lance took both into permanent service onthe ranch. A room in an outbuilding was allotted them, and they wereinstructed to get their meals in the kitchen. The remudas had wanderedfar, but one was finally brought in by a vaquero, and by pairs wemounted and rode away. On starting, the tanks demanded our firstattention, and finding all four of them safe, we threw out of gear allthe windmills. Theodore Quayle and I were partners during the day's rideto the south, and on coming in at evening fell in with Uncle Lance andour segundo, who had been as far west as the Ganso. Quayle and I haddiscussed during the day the prospect of a hunt at the Vaux ranch, andon meeting our employer, artfully interested the old ranchero regardingthe amount of cat sign seen that day along the Arroyo Sordo."It's hard luck, boys," said he, "to find ourselves afoot, and thehunting so promising. But we haven't a horse on the ranch that couldcarry a man ten miles in a straightaway dash after the hounds. It willbe a month yet before the grass has substance enough in it to strengthenour remudas. Oh, if it hadn't been for the condition of saddle stock,Don Pierre would have come right through the rain yesterday. But whenLas Palomas can't follow the hounds for lack of mounts, you can dependon it that other ranches can't either. It just makes me sick to think ofthis good hunting, but what can we do for a month but fold our hands andsit down? But if you boys are itching for an excuse to get over on theFrio, why, I'll make you a good one. This drouth has knocked all thesociability out of the country; but now the ordeal is past, Theodore isin honor bound to go over to the Vaux ranch. I don't suppose you boyshave seen the girls on the Frio and San Miguel in six months. Time?That's about all we have got right now. Time?--we've got time to burn."Our feeler had borne fruit. An excuse or permission to go to the Friowas what Quayle and I were after, though no doubt the old matchmaker wasequally anxious to have us go. In expressing our thanks for the promisedvacation, we included several provisos--in case there was nothing to do,or if we concluded to go--when Uncle Lance turned in his saddle and gaveus a withering look. "I've often wondered," said he, "if the blood inyou fellows is really red, or if it's white like a fish's. Now, when Iwas your age, I had to steal chances to go to see my girl. But I nevergave her any show to forget me, and worried her to a fare-ye-well. Andif my observation and years go for anything, that's just the way girlslike to have a fellow act. Of course they'll bluff and let on they mustbe wooed and all that, just like Frances did at the tournament a yearago. I contend that with a clear field the only way to make any progressin sparking a girl, is to get one arm around her waist, and with theother hand keep her from scratching you. That's the very way they liketo be courted."Theodore and I dropped behind after this lecture, and before we reachedthe ranch had agreed to ride over to the Frio the next morning. Duringour absence that day, there had arrived at Las Palomas from the Mission,a padrino in the person of Don Alejandro Travino. Juana Leal, onlydaughter of Tiburcio, had been sought in marriage by a nephew of DonAlejandro, and the latter, dignified as a Castilian noble, was then atthe house negotiating for the girl's hand. Juana was nearly eighteen,had been born at the ranch, and after reaching years of usefulness hadbeen adopted into Miss Jean's household. To ask for her hand requiredaudacity, for to master and mistress of Las Palomas it was like askingfor a daughter of the house. Miss Jean was agitated and all in aflutter; Tiburcio and his wife were struck dumb; for Juana was the babyand only unmarried one of their children, and to take her from LasPalomas--they could never consent to that. But Uncle Lance had gonethrough such experiences before, and met the emergency with promptness."That's all right, little sister," said the old matchmaker to Miss Jean,who had come out to the gate where we were unsaddling. "Don't you borrowany trouble in this matter--leave things to me. I've handled trifleslike this among these natives for nearly forty years now, and I don'tsee any occasion to try and make out a funeral right after the drouth'sbeen broken by a fine rain. Shucks, girl, this is a time for rejoicing!You go back in the house and entertain Don Alejandro with your bestsmiles till I come in. I want to have a talk with Tiburcio and his wifebefore I meet the padrino. There's several families of those Travinosover around the Mission and I want to locate which tribe this osocomes from. Some of them are good people and some of them need a ropearound their necks, and in a case of keeps like getting married, it'salways safe to know what's what and who's who. Now, Sis, go on back inthe house and entertain the Don. Come with me, Tom."I saw our plans for the morrow vanish into thin air. On arriving at thejacal, we were admitted, but a gloom like the pall of death seemed toenvelop the old Mexican couple. When we had taken seats around a smalltable, Tia Inez handed the ranchero the formal written request. As itwas penned in Spanish, it was passed to me to read, and after runningthrough it hastily, I read it aloud, several times stopping to interpretto Uncle Lance certain extravagant phrases. The salutatory was in theusual form; the esteem which each family had always entertained for theother was dwelt upon at length, and choicer language was never used thanthe padrino penned in asking for the hand of Dona Juana. This daintymissive was signed by the godfather of the swain, Don Alejandro Travino,whose rubric riotously ran back and forth entirely across the delicatelytinted sheet. On the conclusion of the reading, Uncle Lance brushed theletter aside as of no moment, and, turning to the old couple, demandedto know to which branch of the Travino family young Don Blas belonged.The account of Tiburcio and his wife was definite and clear. The fatherof the swain conducted a small country store at the Mission, and besideshad landed and cattle interests. He was a younger brother of DonAlejandro, who was the owner of a large land grant, had cattle inabundance, and was a representative man among the Spanish element. Nobetter credentials could have been asked. But when their patron ralliedthem as to the cause of their gloom, Tia Inez burst into tears,admitting the match was satisfactory, but her baby would be carried awayfrom Las Palomas and she might never see her again. Her two sons wholived at the ranch, allowed no day to pass without coming to see theirmother, and the one who lived at a distant ranchita came at everyopportunity. But if her little girl was carried away to a distantranch--ah! that made it impossible! Let Don Lance, worthy patron of hispeople, forbid the match, and win the gratitude of an anguished mother.Invoking the saints to guide her aright, Dona Inez threw herself on thebed in hysterical lamentation. Realizing it is useless to argue with awoman in tears, the old matchmaker suggested to Tiburcio that we delaythe answer the customary fortnight.Promising to do nothing further without consulting them, we withdrewfrom the jacal. On returning to the house, we found Miss Jeanentertaining the Don to the best of her ability, and, commanding mypresence, the old matchmaker advanced to meet the padrino, with whomhe had a slight acquaintance. Bidding his guest welcome to the ranch, helistened to the Don's apology for being such a stranger to Las Palomasuntil a matter of a delicate nature had brought him hither.Don Alejandro was a distinguished-looking man, and spoke his nativetongue in a manner which put my efforts as an interpreter to shame.The conversation was allowed to drift at will, from the damages of therecent drouth to the prospect of a market for beeves that fall, untilsupper was announced. After the evening repast was over we retired tothe gallery, and Uncle Lance reopened the matchmaking by inquiring ofDon Alejandro if his nephew proposed taking his bride to the Mission.The Don was all attention. Fortunately, anticipating that the questionmight arise, he had discussed that very feature with his nephew. Atpresent the young man was assisting his father at the Mission, and intime, no doubt, would succeed to the business. However, realizing thather living fifty miles distant might be an objection to the girl'sparents, he was not for insisting on that point, as no doubt Las Palomasoffered equally good advantages for business. He simply mentioned thisby way of suggestion, and invited the opinion of his host."Well, now, Don Alejandro," said the old matchmaker, in flutelike tones,"we are a very simple people here at Las Palomas. Breeding a few horsesand mules for home purposes, and the rearing of cattle has beenour occupation. As to merchandising here at the ranch, I could notcountenance it, as I refused that privilege to the stage company whenthey offered to run past Las Palomas. At present our few wants aresupplied by a merchant at Shepherd's Ferry. True, it's thirty miles, butI sometimes wish it was farther, as it is quite a temptation to my boysto ride down there on various pretexts. We send down every week for ourmail and such little necessities as the ranch may need. If there wasa store here, it would attract loafers and destroy the peace andcontentment which we now enjoy. I would object to it; 'one man to histrade and another to his merchandise.'"The padrino, with good diplomacy, heartily agreed that a store was adisturbing feature on a ranch, and instantly went off on a tangent onthe splendid business possibilities of the Mission. The matchmaker inreturn agreed as heartily with him, and grew reminiscent. "In the springof '51," said he, "I made the match between Tiburcio and Dona Inez,father and mother of Juana. Tiburcio was a vaquero of mine at the time,Inez being a Mission girl, and I have taken a great interest in thecouple ever since. All their children were born here and still live onthe ranch. Understand, Don Alejandro, I have no personal feeling in thematter, beyond the wishes of the parents of the girl. My sister hastaken a great interest in Juana, having had the girl under her chargefor the past eight years. Of course, I feel a pride in Juana, and she isa fine girl. If your nephew wins her, I shall tell the lucky rascal whenhe comes to claim her that he has won the pride of Las Palomas. I takeit, Don Alejandro, that your visit and request was rather unexpectedhere, though I am aware that Juana has visited among cousins at theMission several times the past few years. But that she had lost herheart to some of your gallants comes as a surprise to me, and from whatI learn, to her parents also. Under the circumstances, if I were you, Iwould not urge an immediate reply, but give them the customary period tothink it over. Our vaqueros will not be very busy for some time to come,and it will not inconvenience us to send a reply by messenger to theMission. And tell Don Blas, even should the reply be unfavorable, not tobe discouraged. Women, you know, are peculiar. Ah, Don Alejandro, whenyou and I were young and went courting, would we have been discouragedby a first refusal?"Senor Travino appreciated the compliment, and, with a genial smile,slapped his host on the back, while the old matchmaker gave vent to avociferous guffaw. The conversation thereafter took several tacks, butalways reverted to the proposed match. As the hour grew late, the hostapologized to his guest, as no doubt he was tired by his long ride,and offered to show him his room. The padrino denied all weariness,maintaining that the enjoyable evening had rested him, but reluctantlyallowed himself to be shown to his apartment. No sooner were thegood-nights spoken, than the old ranchero returned, and, snapping hisfingers for attention, motioned me to follow. By a circuitous route wereached the jacal of Tiburcio. The old couple had not yet retired, andJuana blushingly admitted us. Uncle Lance jollied the old people like arobust, healthy son amusing his elders. We took seats as before aroundthe small table, and Uncle Lance scattered the gloom of the jacal withhis gayety."Las Palomas forever!" said he, striking the table with his bony fist."This padrino from the Mission is a very fine gentleman but a poormatchmaker. Just because young Don Blas is the son of a Travino, thekeeper of a picayune tienda at the Mission, was that any reason topresume for the hand of a daughter of Las Palomas? Was he any betterthan a vaquero just because he doled out frijoles by the quart, andnever saw a piece of money larger than a media real? Why, a LasPalomas vaquero was a prince compared to a fawning attendant in aMission store. Let Tia Inez stop fretting herself about losing Juana--itwould not be yet awhile. Just leave matters to him, and he'd send DonAlejandro home, pleased with his visit and hopeful over the match, evenif it never took place. And none of those frowns from the young lady!"As we all arose at parting, the old matchmaker went over to Juana and,shaking his finger at her, said: "Now, look here, my little girl, yourmistress, your parents, and myself are all interested in you, and don'tthink we won't act for your best interests. You've seen this youngfellow ride by on a horse several times, haven't you? Danced with hima few times under the eyes of a chaperon at the last fiesta, haven'tyou? And that's all you care to know, and are ready to marry him. Well,well, it's fortunate that the marriage customs of the Mexicans protectsuch innocents as you. Now, if young Don Blas had worked under me for ayear as a vaquero, I might be as ready to the match as you are; for thenI'd know whether he was worthy of you. What does a girl of your age knowabout a man? But when you have as many gray hairs in your head as yourmother has, you'll thank me for cautioning every one to proceed slowlyin this match. Now dry those tears and go to your mother."The next morning Don Alejandro proposed returning to the Mission. Butthe old ranchero hooted the idea, and informed his guest that hehad ordered the ambulance, as he intended showing him the recentimprovements made on Las Palomas. When the guest protested against alonger absence from home, the host artfully intimated that by remaininganother day a favorable reply might possibly go with him. Don Alejandrofinally consented. I was pressed in as driver and interpreter, and ourteam tore away from the ranch with a flourish. To put it mildly, I wasdisgusted at having my plans for the day knocked in the head, yet knewbetter than protest. As we drove along, myriads of grass-blades werepeeping up since the rain, giving every view a greenish cast. Nearlyevery windmill on the ranch on our circuit was pointed out, and wepassed three of our four tanks, one of which was over half a mile inlength. After stopping at an outlying ranchita for refreshment, we spentthe afternoon in a similar manner. From a swell of the prairie some tenmiles to the westward of the ranch, we could distinctly see an outlineof the Ganso. Halting the ambulance, the old ranchero pointed out to hisguest the meanderings of that creek from its confluence with the parentstream until it became lost in the hills to the southward."That tract of ground," said he, "is my last landed addition to LasPalomas. It lies north and south, giving me six miles' frontage onthe Nueces. and extending north of the river about four miles, DonAlejandro, when I note the great change which has come over this valleysince I settled here, it convinces me that if one wishes to followranching he had better acquire title to what range he needs. Land hasadvanced in price from a few cents an acre to four bits, and now theysay the next generation will see it worth a dollar. This Ganso grantcontains a hundred and fourteen sections, and I have my eye on one ortwo other adjoining tracts. My generation will not need it, but the onewho succeeds me may. Now, as we drive home, I'll try to show you thenorthern boundary of our range; it's fairly well outlined by the dividebetween the Nueces and the Frio rivers."From the conversation which followed until we reached headquarters, Ireadily understood that the old matchmaker was showing the rose andconcealing its thorn. His motive was not always clear to me, for onewould have supposed from his almost boastful claims regarding itsextent and carrying capacity for cattle, he was showing the ranch to aprospective buyer. But as we neared home, the conversation innocentlydrifted to the Mexican element and their love for the land to which theywere born. Then I understood why I was driving four mules instead ofbasking in the smiles of my own sweetheart on the San Miguel. Nor didthis boasting cease during the evening, but alternated from lands andcattle to the native people, and finally centred about a Mexican girlwho had been so fortunate as to have been born to the soil of LasPalomas.When Don Alejandro asked for his horse the following morning on leaving,Uncle Lance, Quayle, and myself formed a guard of honor to escort ourguest a distance on his way. He took leave of the mistress of LasPalomas in an obeisance worthy of an old-time cavalier. Once we wereoff, Uncle Lance pretended to have had a final interview with theparents, in which they had insisted on the customary time in which toconsider the proposal. The padrino graciously accepted the situation,thanking his host for his interest in behalf of his nephew. On reachingthe river, where our ways separated, all halted for a few minutes atparting."Well, Don Alejandro," said the old ranchero, "this is my limit ofescort to guests of the ranch. Now, the only hope I have in partingis, in case the reply should he unfavorable, that Don Blas will not bediscouraged and that we may see you again at Las Palomas. Tender mycongratulations to your nephew, and tell him that a welcome alwaysawaits him in case he finds time and inclination to visit us. I takesome little interest in matches. These boys of mine are going northto the Frio on a courting errand to-day. But our marriage customs areinferior to yours, and our young people, left to themselves, don't seemto marry. Don Alejandro, if you and I had the making of the matches,there'd be a cradle rocking in every jacal." Both smiled, said their"Adios, amigos," and he was gone.As our guest cantered away, down the river road, Quayle and I beganlooking for a ford. The river had been on a rampage, and while we wereseeking out a crossing our employer had time for a few comments. "TheDon's tickled with his prospects. He thinks he's got a half inch rope onJuana right now; but if I thought your prospects were no better than Iknow his are, you wouldn't tire any horse-flesh of mine by riding to theFrio and the San Miguel. But go right on, and stay as long as you wantto, for I'm in no hurry to see your faces again. Tom, with the icebroken as it is, as soon as Esther can remove her disabilities--well,you won't have to run off the next time. And Theodore, remember whatI told you the other day about sparking a girl. You're too timid andbackward for a young fellow. I don't care if you come home with one eyescratched out, just so you and Frances have come to an understanding andnamed the day."