Chapter XV. Before Bernardo Galvez

by Joseph A. Altsheler

　　It took only a few minutes to reach the banks of the stream, andthey saw at once that an event was occurring. New Orleans couldrejoice, if she choose, in honor of an important arrival.A fleet of a dozen large boats swung from the middle of thestream and made for the levee. In the boats were men in uniform.

　　"I have an impression, though my impressions are often wrong andmy memory always weak, that yonder cavalier who sits haughtily inthe boat as if he were sole proprietor of the Mississippi, isyour good friend, Don Francisco Alvarez," said Lieutenant Bemalin his mincing way.

　　They had all recognized Alvarez, and they expected quick trouble.As it was bound to come they had no objection to its coming atonce. The boat of Alvarez made the landing and as he sprang outhe was followed by Braxton Wyatt, also in the uniform of aSpanish officer. The eyes of the Captain instantly caught sightof "The Galleon," then of the five, and then of Lieutenant DiegoBernal standing near the Americans.

　　"Men," he cried to some of his soldiers who had landed. "Seizethis boat at once! It is my property, taken from me by theseAmerican thieves!"

　　The soldiers moved to obey, but the little Catalan, LieutenantDiego Bernal stepped forward. Never was he more mincing, and itis likely that he never felt more satisfaction than he did now atthe role that he was about to play.

　　"Gently! Gently! my good captain," he said. "I am a port officerand boats cannot be seized at will in His Most Catholic Majesty'scity of New Orleans."

　　His manner stung Alvarez, who replied hotly:

　　"I repeat, it is my boat! It was stolen from me by these thievesfrom Kaintock!"

　　"But that must be proved," and the lieutenant's voice was verysoft and silky. "The law is still administered in the City ofNew Orleans. And let me assure you, my good captain, that thematter of the boat is a trifle. What really concerns is yourdelay in coming to New Orleans with your American captives, whomyou held at your place of Beaulieu. His Excellency, the GovernorGeneral, Don Bernardo Galvez, is very much afraid that you haveinvolved Spain in serious difficulties with a friendly people."

　　Alvarez looked fiercely at Bernal. How much did this man know?But the little lieutenant merely stroked his mustache, and hisface was expressionless.

　　"If explanations are due," said Alvarez, "I shall make them toDon Bernardo."

　　"Very good! very good!" murmured the lieutenant. "I am quite surethat Don Bernardo will be greatly pleased."

　　Alvarez turned angrily, gave some orders to his men, and thenstalked away followed by Wyatt and two others. The renegade hadnever spoken a word, but he and the five had exchanged somethreatening glances.

　　Alvarez and Bernal had spoken in Spanish, but Henry and theothers surmised the import of their words. They knew, too, bythe manner of Alvarez that the little triumph had been withBernal.

　　"He wanted the boat, did he not?" said Henry. "Yes," replied thelieutenant, "but you can sleep in it to-night. I warn you,however, to see Bernardo Galvez in the morning as soon as youcan. After all, you are Americans and foreigners, while Alvarezis a Spaniard and one of us. You will have much to overcome."

　　They perceived the truth of his suggestion and thanked him. Hegave them a friendly good night and went away. The five went onboard "The Galleon" and prepared for sleep, having dismissedtheir watchman with ample pay.

　　As the boat was securely tied there was no need to keep a watchand all prepared for the night. But they did not go to sleepyet, although they did not talk, every one being occupied withhis own thoughts.

　　Paul sat at the stern of the boat leaning against the side, andhis eyes were on New Orleans, where he saw the formless shapes ofbuildings and twinkling lights here and there. The city, in away, attracted him and, in another way, it repelled him. Itinterested him, but he had no desire to live there. It was aport, a gate, as it were, opening into the vast old world, towhich belonged the centuries, and of which he had read andthought so much, but the single taste of it turned Paul's heartwith a stronger affection than ever toward the New World to whichhe belonged. The great forests of the north seemed clean andfresh to him as they had seemed to Jim. There, at least, a mancould know who were his friends and who were his enemies.

　　He saw boats passing on the turbid, brown current of theMississippi and he heard snatches of strange, foreign songs. Thenight had fully come and heavy darkness hung over land and water,but New Orleans did not sleep. The smugglers, the adventurers,the former galley slaves, the riff-raff of Europe, and the mixedbloods of the West Indies were abroad in pursuit of eitherbusiness or pleasure, each equally favored by the dusk.

　　Shif'less Sol and Long Jim were already asleep, but Paul wasrestless and slumber would not come. Henry, too, was wakeful,and Paul at last suggested that they walk in the city. Henryaccepted, and with a word to Tom Ross they sprang ashore.

　　New Orleans was even more interesting to them by night than byday, as it had now a peculiarly uncanny look added to its otherqualities. The night was close, heavy, and warm, and the browncurrent of the river showed but dismally through it. Lights werestill moving on the Mississippi, but the boats that bore themwere invisible. From the side of the river pleasant odors cameto their nostrils, the clean, sweet scents of vast, undefiledwoods and prairies, the flavor of a wind blowing over wildflowers, but from the side of the city the smells were asvariegated and repellent as ever.

　　Nevertheless the two youths turned into the city, lit faintly bythe flaring oil lanterns, and walked along through one street andanother seeing what they could see. The night life was activeand much of it was sodden. Oaths played a great part in the,talk they heard and intoxication was a prevalent note. Sounds ofstrife, either without or within, arose now and then, but Henryand Paul, wishing to keep clear of all trouble, never stayed tosee the result. They more than suspected that knives shone toooften in these orgies.

　　They stopped a few moments by the old church in front of thePlace d'Armes. The church was flanked on one side by a low brickbuilding, very white with roof of red and yellow tiles, while tothe left of the church stood a villa-like house half hidden amongthe trees. They admired the effect of the moonlight on thetiles, and then, passing through the wooden fence that enclosedit, they entered the deserted Place d'Armes.

　　"I can breathe better here," said Henry. "I know that I shallnever be fond of towns."

　　But the imaginative Paul shuddered.

　　"Look," he said, "the gallows!"

　　He pointed to the huge gallows that stood in the Place d'Armes,ready for frequent use. The moonlight had now grown dim. In itswavering beams the gallows rose to immense proportions and seemedalso to take on the semblance of life. It reached out its longwooden arm as if to grasp Paul and with another shudder he turnedhis back to it.

　　The two continued down one side of the Place d'Armes in the shadeof magnolias and cypresses that drooped over the wooden fence.As they passed they heard the sound of a shot.

　　"Somebody in the city fighting with a rifle or pistol instead ofa knife," said Paul.

　　But Henry stood motionless and silent for a moment or two. Hehad distinctly felt the rush of air on his face as a bulletpassed by. He was seeking to see whence the shot had come and hethought he caught a glimpse of a figure among the cypresses.

　　"No, Paul," he exclaimed, "that shot was aimed at me!"

　　He sprang over the wooden fence and was followed by Paul. Theysearched diligently among the trees but found nothing. Then theylooked at each other, and each read the same opinion in theother's eyes.

　　"It was either Braxton Wyatt or somebody else in the service ofAlvarez," said Henry.

　　"Yes," said Paul, nodding assent, "and I think that 'The Galleon'is a much safer place for us at night than the City of NewOrleans."

　　"That is true," said Henry, "and it is not worth while for us tomake a complaint about being shot at. We cannot prove anything,and New Orleans is too turbulent a place to pay attention to astray rifle or pistol shot at night."

　　They were back at the boat in a few minutes. Shif'less Sol andLong Jim still slept soundly, but Tom Ross was awake. They toldhim briefly what had occurred, and Tom shook his head sagely.

　　"Better stay on the boat ez long ez we kin keep it," he said."Ez fur me, I'd rather be shot at by Injuns in the woods uvKentucky than be hevin' white men drawin' beads on me here in atown. It looks more nateral. Uv course it wuz Braxton Wyatt orsome other tool uv that wicked Spaniard, Alvarez."

　　Early the next morning the five, after hiring the same watchmanto care again for their boat, went to the house of the GovernorGeneral, the large, low building at the corner of Toulouse Streetand Rue de Ia Levee. Early as they were they were not the firstto arrive.

　　A tall man, neatly dressed in a fine brown suit with fine,snow-white, puffed linen, silver-buckled shoes, and hair, tied ina powdered queue, stood on the veranda. He had a frank, openface, and the five knew at once that he was an American. Had nothis appearance proclaimed his nationality, his speech would havedone it for him.

　　"Good morning," he exclaimed, cheerily, "you are the gentlemenfrom Kentucky who arrived yesterday? Yes, you must be! All NewOrleans has heard of the feat of strength and dexterity,performed by one of you last night in Monsieur Gilibert's Inn ofHenri Quatre! And he who did it could be none other than you, myfriend!"

　　He looked fixedly and admiringly at Henry, and the youth blushedunder his tan.

　　"It was merely done to stop an annoyance," he said. "I did notmean to make any display."

　　The prepossessing stranger laughed.

　　"Doubtless," he said, "but you have received a greatadvertisement, nevertheless. Some rumor concerning the cause ofyour visit has also spread in New Orleans, and for this reason Iam here to meet you at the door of the Governor General."

　　The five looked at him inquiringly. He smiled, and they likedhim better than ever.

　　"I don't mean to make a mystery of anything," he said. "My nameis Pollock, Oliver Pollock."

　　"Ah," exclaimed Paul, his face alight, "you are the head of thecompany of Philadelphia, New York and Boston merchants that issending arms from New Orleans up the Mississippi and Ohio toPittsburg, where they are landed and taken across the country forthe use of our hard-pressed brethren in the east!"

　　The shrewd merchant's eyes twinkled.

　　"I see, my young friend," he said to Paul, "that you are alert,even if you have just come out of the wilderness. Yes, I am thatman, and I am proud to be the head of such a company. I tellyou, too, that you have come at the right time. The English, asyou know, are forbidden for the present to trade at New Orleans,while we are unrestricted. But England is powerful, far morepowerful than Spain, and she is pushing hard for the privilege.If she gets it we shall be hit in a vital spot. Moreover, anexceedingly strong faction here, one with great influence, isstriving continually to help England and to crush us."

　　"Alvarez!" exclaimed Henry and Paul together. "Yes, Alvarez! Wemust not underrate his strength and cunning, but if he is engagedin plotting, in actual treason, or what is very near it, yourcoming may help us to prove it and thus strengthen the hand ofBernardo Galvez, who is our friend."

　　"There is no doubt of the fact!" said Henry earnestly. "He isplanning to make himself Governor General in place of Galvez!"

　　"Ah, but to prove it! To prove it! You are strangers andforeigners, and Alvarez is before you here. No, don't blameyourselves, you could not help it. But he is the commander ofthe Spanish forces in Northern Louisiana. He came, summonedurgently on the King's business, and he gained access to BernardoGalvez last night. Oh, he's a shrewd man, and a cunning one, andwe know not what plausible tale he may have poured out to theGovernor General. But come, the sentinel here wishes to know ourbusiness and I shall go in with you, if I may."

　　"Of course," said Henry. "We thank you for your aid."

　　They saw in a moment how valuable this help could be as Mr.Pollock spoke rapidly in Spanish to one of the sentinels, whoseemed impressed, and who quickly disappeared within the house.They spent some anxious minutes in waiting, but the sentinelreturned in a few minutes with word that they would be received.

　　"That is good," said Mr. Pollock to the five. "It is well tostrike before the blow of Alvarez sinks in too deeply."

　　They entered an ante-chamber furnished with a splendor that theKentuckians had never seen before. There were pictures and thearms of Spain upon the walls, and rich heavy rugs upon the floor.The sentinel said something in Spanish to Mr. Pollock and themerchant laughed.

　　"He makes the polite request," said Mr. Pollock, "that you leaveyour rifles here. Ah, you see that the fame of the Kentuckyrifle has already reached New Orleans. They will be perfectlysafe, I assure you."

　　The five leaned their rifles in a row against the wall, long,slender-barreled weapons, which were destined to make one day anunparalleled record before this very city of New Orleans.

　　A wide door was thrown open and an attendant dressed in gorgeousSpanish livery announced their names as they entered a large roomfurnished with as great a degree of state as could be reproducedat that time in New Orleans. An armed soldier stood on eitherside of the door, and, at the far end of the room, waiting in agreat chair on a slightly raised platform, was a handsome,youngish man in the uniform of a Spanish colonel. He had astrong, open countenance, and the five knew that it was BernardoGalvez, the Governor General of Louisiana. The favorableimpression of him that they had received from reports wasconfirmed by his appearance.

　　Bernardo Galvez rose with punctilious courtesy and saluted OliverPollock, who introduced in turn the five, to every one of whomthe Governor General gave a bow and a friendly word. Like allothers in New Orleans who had seen them, he bestowed an admiringlook upon their size, their straightness, and above all, theextraordinary air of independence and resolution thatcharacterized every one of them, indicated, not by the words theysaid or the things they did, but by an atmosphere they created,something that cannot be described. They had never been in sucha room before, one containing so much of the splendor of oldEurope, but they were not awed in the least by it, and BernardoGalvez knew it.

　　Oliver Pollock, the shrewd merchant and patriot, man of affairs,and judge of his kind, observed them closely and, observing, hefelt a great thrill of satisfaction. The five, boys though twoof them were, had felt the vast importance of their mission and,now that they had come, he too felt it was a most critical anddelicate moment for the struggling young nation. He knew much ofFrancisco Alvarez, and he surmised more.

　　"I have heard of you," said the Governor General to the five, andhis tones became judicial and severe, as became the ruler of amillion square miles of fertile territory belonging to His MostCatholic Majesty, the King of Spain. "You are the subject offormal complaint made by the captain of our forces in the North,Don Francisco Alvarez."

　　It was now Paul, the scholar, youth of imagination, and futurestatesman, who responded and it seemed fitting to all that heshould do so.

　　"Will Your Excellency state the complaint against us?" he askedin a grave and manly way.

　　"I will leave it to Don Francisco to state it," replied BernardoGalvez. "I expected that you would be here this morning, so Ihave chosen to confront you with him. Each side shall tell itsstory."

　　This seemed fair, and the five, who had been waved to seats by agreat window with Mr. Pollock, made no protest. There they satin silence for a few minutes, while the Governor General dictatedto a secretary who sat at a little table by his side and whowrote with a goose-quill.

　　The wide door was at length thrown open again, and the usherannounced Don Francisco and his aide, Senior Braxton Wyatt. Thefive were amazed and indignant at the assurance of the renegade,but the said nothing.

　　Alvarez walked into the room, cool, dignified, and austere, hismanner was not calculated to ruffle his superior officer. Itseemed rather to indicate a confidence that the Governor Generalwould punish as was fitting the impertinence of the intrudersfrom Kaintock. He bestowed only a single glance upon them, as ifhis victory over such insignificant opponents were alreadyassured. The blood slowly rose to the fates of Paul and Henry,but they were about to witness an extraordinary exhibition ofSpanish pliancy and dexterity.

　　Braxton Wyatt was as thoroughly the Spaniard as clothes couldmake him, which was not thorough at all, and he imitated hisleader even to the supercilious glance at the Kentuckians and thefollowing look of assured victory. The five took no notice ofhim.

　　Alvarez gave to the Governor General a military salute, whichGalvez returned in like fashion. Then the captain sat down in achair near the Governor General, and the latter said, maintaininghis judicial tone:

　　"Those against whom you made the complaint last night are here,Don Francisco. Will you state again the charges? It is but fairthat they should hear and make reply, if they can."

　　He spoke in English that the five might under-and Alvarez repliedin the same language.

　　"Your Excellency," he said, and his tone seemed frank, open, andconvincing - the five were amazed that he could have such atruthful look and manner of injured innocence - "you know that Ihave been a most faithful guardian of the interests of ourmaster, the King. I have done long and hard service in the farnorth, in a wilderness infested by hostile savages."

　　"No one doubts your courage and endurance, Don Francisco," saidBernardo Galvez.

　　"My devotion to Spain is the great passion of my life," continuedAlvarez in a gratified tone.

　　"You know how jealously I have sought to guard against incursionsfrom Kaintock. The settlements of the Americans there are buttwo or three year old, yet these people press already upon theMississippi and threaten His Majesty's territory of Louisiana."

　　"I think that we wander a little from the subject," said Galvez."It would be better to state the core of your complaint."

　　Alvarez made a deprecating gesture.

　　"I deemed the preamble necessary to a full understanding of whathas followed," he said. "When I tell of Kaintock I tell whatthese men are. Suffice it now to say that, of their own accordand by their own hands, they have made war upon Spain. They havestolen away a boat of mine, loaded with arms and stores, theyhave fired upon His Majesty's subjects, and one of them has slaina Natchez trailer, a faithful, valuable man in my service."

　　When Alvarez spoke of The Cat, he pointed at Shif'less Sol - hewas acting on a hint of Wyatt's. The look of Alvarez followedthe accusing finger, but the shiftless one rose undaunted.

　　"That part of what he tells is true," said Shif'less Sol. "I slewthat Injun - an' a meaner face I never saw in fa'r fight. Heslipped upon me in the dark to murder me, an' thar wuzn't nothin'else left 'fur me to do."

　　Freed of his speech and his wrath, the shiftless one sat downagain. Alvarez and the renegade gave him looks of sneeringincredulity, but the look of Bernardo Galvez was one of interestand surprise.

　　"What of the other charges? " he asked, turning to Paul, thespokesman.

　　The gift of imagination often implies the orator's tongue andPaul had an inspired moment. He stood up, his cheeks flushingand his eyes alight, as they always were when he was deeplymoved.

　　"It is true," he said, "that we took a boat belonging to CaptainAlvarez, but it was because he forced us to do it. It is he whofirst made war upon Kentucky, not we upon Spain. I went into hiscamp upon a peaceful mission. He seized and held me a prisoner.I was rescued by my comrades, although they inflicted no harmupon any of the men of Captain Alvarez. He has sought in everyway to destroy us, and because he was the beginner of violenceand because he is planning a great treason and war upon Kentucky,we took his boat and have come to New Orleans for the solepurpose of appearing before you."

　　Alvarez burst into a sneering laugh and Braxton Wyatt, as amatter of course, imitated him, but Bernardo Galvez asked in agrave tone:

　　"What do you mean by a great treason? No, Don Francisco, wait!Let him speak! It is their right."

　　"I mean," said Paul boldly, "that he expects to become GovernorGeneral of Louisiana in your place. It is not the policy ofSpain to attack us. Yet Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, the headchiefs of the powerful Shawnee and Miami nations were in hiscamp, and he has agreed to help them with Spanish soldiers andSpanish cannon in a raid upon Kentucky."

　　"This is an extraordinary statement," said Bernardo Galvez."Your proof?"

　　"Yes, your proof!" sneered Alvarez, and Braxton Wyatt sneered,too.

　　"This man," said Paul, pointing to the renegade, "is fromKentucky. We were boys together but he deserted the whitepeople, his own people, to go with the red. He has continuallyurged the Indian attack upon us and he has brought to CaptainAlvarez complete maps of every settlement in Kentucky, Wareville,Marlowe, Lexington, Harrodsburg, and all the others. Why is hehere! Why has he come to New Orleans, if not to bind the redchiefs and Captain Alvarez together in such an enterprise?"

　　Alvarez again burst into a laugh, ironical and taunting. Paulflushed deeply.

　　"I know," he exclaimed, "that we cannot bring you absoluteproofs, but it is true, nevertheless. The Indian chiefs, YellowPanther and Red Eagle, have his agreement made without anyauthority from you, and there are the maps."

　　"A map does not necessarily mean war," said Alvarez, "even ifthey should exist, and they do not exist. I took these people,arms in hand, upon His Majesty's soil, and it was my intention tobring them to New Orleans for examination and punishment by you."

　　"Doubtless it is so," said Bernardo Galvez, "but you were in nohurry to perform the mission. I was forced to send a message toyou at Beaulieu to come to New Orleans with your prisoners, butit seems they have escaped and come of their own accord."

　　"And I may state, your Excellency," said Henry Ware rising, "thatwhile my comrade, Paul Cotter, was a prisoner at Beaulieu, he wasforced into a ring and a professional swordsman was set upon him.That, Captain Alvarez cannot deny. It was witnessed by too manypeople."

　　Bernardo Galvez gave Alvarez a surprised and stern look. Thecaptain winced, but it was only for a moment.

　　"Is this true, Don Francisco?" asked the Governor Generalgravely. "Did you do this thing?"

　　Alvarez made a gesture as if it were true, but yet a trifle."I confess, Your Excellency," he said. "I had forgotten thecircumstance, but, since I am reminded of it, I will not deny.The thing seems much worse in the telling than it was in thehappening. The young man had shown great skill with the sword-hehad disarmed me in a little encounter; I admit that, too-and wewished to test his agility and courage against a master, who wasinstructed not to hurt him seriously under any circumstances."

　　He spoke rapidly and lightly, almost convincingly. But HenryWare interrupted.

　　"His object," he said, "was to have Paul Cotter killed."

　　Benard Galvez looked from one to the other and back again. Itwas the word of a stranger and a foreigner against that of aSpanish captain in his service, a man of noble lineage, and withpowerful friends at the Court of Madrid. But the seeds of doubthad been sown nevertheless. The youth, Paul, and his comradeHenry, also, had spoken with singular earnestness. Moreover,Francisco Alvarez was an ambitious man, and Bernardo Galvez alsobelieved him to be unscrupulous. If he aimed at the place ofGovernor General and the commitment of Spain to an alliance withEngland, it was a daring thing to do.

　　Bernardo Galvez was sorely troubled and he looked from Alvarez tothe five and then back again. Alvarez sat smiling. His look wasthat of one who was right, who knew that he was right, and whoknew that others knew it. Oliver Pollock sitting by the bigwindow, close to the five, was also watching shrewdly in orderthat he might draw from all this coil some capital for thepatriot cause.

　　"In any event," said Bernardo Galvez at last, speaking slowly, asif he carefully considered each word, "you were wrong, DonFrancisco, to expose this youth to such an encounter. If, as yousay, it was merely a little sport, then the sport was ill-chosenand ill-timed. Whether that or another was your purpose, itreflects upon your judgment and sense of humanity."

　　He paused, and Alvarez flushed darkly, but he was still master ofhis supple self.

　　"Your words are none too severe, Your Excellency," he said. "Idid indeed do a foolish thing. It was a thoughtless impulse."

　　"But," resumed Galvez, as if Alvarez had not spoken, "you are anofficer high in the service of His Majesty, and these who accuseyou are strangers belonging to another race. They do not bringthe proof of their charges, and the fact that they have violentlyseized and put to their own use the property of Spain cannot bedenied, as the boat is now anchored at the levee."

　　Francisco Alvarez and Braxton Wyatt lifted their chins in triumphand the five were downcast. But the face of Oliver Pollock, theshrewd merchant and far-seeing judge of affairs and men, showednothing.

　　"Therefore," continued the Governor General, "the boat must bereturned at once to Don Francisco, and for the present those whoseized it must be the prisoners of Spain."

　　Paul was about to spring up in protest, but Henry's hand on hisarm held him down. Oliver Pollock, too, gave him a warningglance. Yet the triumphant looks of the Spanish captain and therenegade were hard to bear.

　　"On the other hand," continued the Governor General, stillweighing his words, "the actions of Don Francisco have not beenbeyond rebuke. He seems to have regarded those from Kaintock asthe prisoners of himself and not of Spain. He made no report ofthese matters to me, his superior officer, and he has lingered athis place of Beaulieu as if he were subject to no orders savethose of his own will."

　　Alvarez again flushed and raised his hand in protest, butBernardo Galvez went on, disregarding him:

　　"Because these offenses give some color to the charges againsthim, it is my order that he be relieved for the present of hiscommand, and that he do not depart, under any circumstance, fromthe City of New Orleans until he receive further instructions."

　　Alvarez sprang up in anger, but a commanding gesture from theGovernor General waved him down in silence.

　　"I do not wish to hear any protests, Don Francisco," he said,"but I do intend to look further into these matters."

　　"If we have not won, neither has the Spaniard," whispered Henryin Paul's ear.

　　Oliver Pollock glanced out of the big window and the turning ofhis head hid the twinkle in his eye. Yes, these were verydelicate matters, and two great nations and another that hoped tobe great, too, were involved, but one might make progressnevertheless.

　　Bernardo Galvez spoke to his secretary, who left the room, butreturned in a few minutes with no less a personage thanLieutenant Diego Bernal, mincing, scrupulously dressed, but veryalert of eye.

　　"You will take six soldiers," said the Governor General to him,"and escort these five to the fortress. Treat them well, buthold them until further orders."

　　Oliver Pollock gave a nod to Henry. It said plainly, "go withoutprotest." Henry and his comrades rose and followed LieutenantBernal from the Governor General's house. Thence they went toone of the forts in the wall that surrounded the town.