Johnston McCulley

“ A grey dawn came that morning to San Diego de Alcalá, for the heavy fog hung like a pall over the valley, rolling in great billows against the hills. The mission bells rang, and into the church trooped frailes, soldiers, ranch owners, loyal neophytes, none appearing more devout than those same soldiers whose license and cruelty had done much to make the Indians dissatisfied and undo the work of the frailes. ”

“ A padre lifted hand in blessing; Señora Vallejo smiled; the Governor nodded in approval; Gonzales, good pirate, swore softly under his breath at this display of young affection; and Sergeant Cassara slapped his thigh and cried unto the sky.
“Dios! So I cannot slay him after all? He is a friend of the Governor, eh? Not Fly-by-Night, but Rojerio Rocha, a proper fellow! I shall go mad! Better, I shall go to sleep for the saints know I need it!”
He threw himself on the ground against the wall; and presently he snored.
And so the tale ends as it began, with Sergeant Carlos Cassara. ”

“ The sight of you is worth a journey of hundreds of miles.”
And then, before she guessed what he intended, he had bent forward swiftly and pressed a kiss upon her cheek. The red flamed in her face and throat, and Señora Vallejo gasped in dismay and Señor Lopez looked surprised, but the men and women of the mission cheered.
Up the steps and into the guest house they made their way, while the caballero, down by the creek, turned to enter the teepee. The smile was gone from the caballero’s face now; his eyes were narrowed as if he were thinking deeply. ”

“ If he is riding a horse to death, it would be a pious act to delay him until the animal is refreshed.”
“Though you tell me this, having just done your best to slay a mule, I am of your opinion in the matter. Adios, caballero!”
“Adios, padre! Your kindness will not be forgotten.”
The caballero put spurs to the horse’s flanks and dashed down the highway. This was different from riding the mule, for the padre had supplied him with a noble steed fresh from pasturage, an animal of spirit eager to cover broad miles at a rapid gait. ”