Don Torribio

“ Don Fernando rose, took a pistol from his holsters, and offered them to Don Torribio.
"It is primed and loaded; the trigger is a little stiff."
"What a capital man of business you are, Don Fernando! You provide for everything; no detail escapes you."
"My traveller's habits, Don Torribio,—nothing more."
Don Torribio took the pistol and cocked it.
"Señores," said he, "I beg you not to leave my body to the mercy of the wild beasts; it would distress me dreadfully to become their food when I am dead." ”

“ All had fallen around Don Torribio, who had fought to the last moment with the desperate frenzy which makes a man almost invincible.
The sun rose in his majesty, illumining the savage depths of the Pampas.
The arrieros and wagoners, cowed by the night's work, and dreading the consequences, hastened to span the oxen to the heavy galeras, and load their mules. Anxious to quit the place, they were soon dispersing in all directions. Don Guzman and his peones remained masters of the field. ”

“ In the meantime Don Torribio had left the hacienda behind him, and was making all haste on the road to San Lucar.
But he had not ridden more than a quarter of an hour, when suddenly, at a turn of the road, his horse gave a start of terror, reared, and flew round, with his ears laid close to his head. Don Torribio looked to see what had alarmed the animal.
A man of tall stature, mounted on a strong black horse, held the middle of the road four or five paces in advance of him, and completely barred his passage. ”

“ Don Zeno approached the prisoner, while with an imperturbable coolness. Don Torribio occupied himself by doubling up his laço several times in his right hand.
"Listen, pícaro," said don Zeno, to the attentive Indian; "this caballero engaged you at Buenos Aires; not only have you basely abandoned him in the pampa, but you have robbed him; you merit punishment, and that punishment you are about to receive. Don Torribio, my dear sir, will you, I beg, apply fifty strokes of the laço on the shoulders of this bribón." ”

“ Don Valentine Cardoso, whose capataz I am, is my foster brother, that is to say, I am devoted to him body and soul. Don Torribio is forming some infernal plot against my master's family, which I wish to foil. Are you decided to lend me a hand? Two men who have only one will between them can do a great deal."
"Frankness for frankness, Don Blas," Patito answered, after a moment's reflection. "This morning I should have refused, this evening I accept, because I no longer run a risk of betraying the gauchos, my comrades. The position is changed. Kill me cleverly! By Heaven I will avenge myself. ”

“ But he could not restrain a cry of horror when his eyes fell on Don Torribio. The lieutenant was tying the head of Don Pablo, which he had hacked off with his sword, to the long tresses of the fainting Clarita. The officer had been slightly wounded by the girl in the hip and arm, and blood was flowing from his garments.
"There," said he, having finished to his satisfaction the knot that bound Clarita's tresses to the long locks of the arriero; "since she loves him so dearly, when she comes to herself she can admire him at leisure, he is all her own now; no one will take him from her." ”

“ He was inconsolable when he reflected on his ignorance in that sublime art, till he was told that a very able magician resided in the suburbs of Toledo, named don Torribio. He immediately saddled his mule, departed for Toledo, and alighted at the door of no very superb dwelling, the habitation of that great man.
“Most reverend magician,” said he, addressing himself to the sage, “I am the dean of Badajos. The learned men of Spain all allow me to be their superior; but I am come to request from you a much greater honour, that of becoming your pupil. ”

“ Can I trust you?"
"Well," said Pablito, "since you are so much concerned about such a wretched affair, I will answer for your prisoner."
"Then farewell, and thanks," said the Tigercat; "above all, remember to report to me tonight, in Don Torribio's presence, that his enemy is dead."
"Rely upon me for that."
"No, no," muttered the old chief to himself; "he must not die: his life is too necessary for the accomplishment of my revenge." ”

“ After keeping him a prisoner for a few days, to prevent his counteracting your plans, and hindering your marriage with Doña Hermosa, I should have restored him to freedom. Unluckily, it is too late now: what is done cannot be undone. The death of this man, obscurely slain in ambuscade, will do more to frustrate my plans than you imagine. His blood be upon your head! It is you who ordered this murder."
"I!" replied Don Torribio. "You are mad!"
The Tigercat looked at his new ally with a stare of surprise, shrugged his shoulders, and whistled a Mexican seguidilla. ”

“ Bowing respectfully to her and her father, Don Torribio retired.
"All is lost," said Don Pedro; "the Mexicans will never be able to withstand the assault."
Doña Hermosa looked at him with a strange expression, and then whispered in his ear:
"Father, have you read your Bible?" ”

“ I know you are to be trusted."
"It is well you say so," replied Luco; "for I have no mind to listen patiently to unjust reproach."
"Lose no more time in talking," said a soldier, interfering; "¡rayo de Dios! I have a capital idea."
"What is it?" asked Don Torribio. "Out with it, Eusebio, or it will blow you up."
The soldier laughed.
"This old hovel," said he, "is full of forage. Let us set fire to it, and roast in the flames all the salvajes unitarios who are here."
"¡Vive Dios!" cried Don Torribio, in high glee; "that is a capital idea. We will set about it at once. ”

“ The transformation was so perfect, that Don Estevan could not repress his admiration.
"Nothing could be better," he exclaimed; "you are Indian women indeed."
"Do you think," said Doña Hermosa bitterly, "that Don Torribio has the sole right of deception and assuming any character at his pleasure?"
"Who can strive against a woman?" said the mayor domo, with a shrug. ”

“ Don Pedro with difficulty repressed a sigh.
"The action tomorrow will be severe," Don Torribio continued. "I conjure you, señorita, not to leave the toldo. Should we meet with a reverse, no one can tell to what extremes the rage of the Apaches may carry them. I will leave twenty resolute men, vaqueros on whom I can rely, to defend you. ”

“ At sunrise, I should be happy if you would do me the honour of serving me as guides till I get within sight of the hacienda. It is important that I should see Don Pedro without delay."
"We shall be at your orders, señor, as soon as you please to depart," answered Carlocho.
The night was fleeting; and Don Torribio had need of repose to restore his strength, exhausted by his late struggle for life. He rolled himself in his zarapé, stretched out his feet towards the fire, and was soon asleep, in spite of the trouble that racked his mind. ”

“ Meanwhile the cards continued to fall on the zarapé: Don Estevan held only about a dozen more in his hand, when he paused.
"Caballeros," said he, "for the last time—reflect."
"Go on, go on!" cried Don Torribio excitedly; "the first card belongs to me."
"Look at it," said Don Estevan, turning it up.
"Oh," said Don Fernando, throwing away his cigarette, "el as de copas. Look, Don Torribio; it is curious. ¡Vive Dios! you can reproach no one; you are the author of your own death." ”

“ Carlocho and the verado lifted Don Torribio by the feet and shoulders, and with infinite precaution carried him from the improvised fortress he had defended so bravely to one of the fires, and laid him on a bed of leaves prepared by El Zapote; for the four vaqueros were, by a strange chance, reunited in this spot.
"¡Canarios!" cried Pablito, at sight of the miserable man; "Poor devil! How they have mauled him! It was high time for help."
"Do you think he will recover?" asked Carlocho, with great interest.
"There is always hope," said Pablito dogmatically, "when the vital organs are uninjured. ”

“ He rushed forward to fly to the side of the redskins; but he tottered—a dark veil obstructed his sight—and he sank on his knees. "God!" cried he, "What has happened to me?"
"You are dying," whispered Don Estevan in his ear; "that is what is happening." And he seized him fiercely by the arm.
"You lie, dog!" said Don Torribio, trying to release himself. "I will go and help my brothers."
"Your brothers are slain, as you intended to have slain tomorrow Don Pedro, Doña Hermosa, Don Fernando, and myself. Die, wretch, with rage at seeing your treachery meet its reward! ”

“ I know for whom you come all the way from Veracruz to San Lucar! You love each other. Give each other an honest kiss, like betrothed lovers as you are; and if you are wise, you will be married offhand."
The young people, melted by his kind words and pleasant humour, threw themselves into the arms of the venerable man, to hide the depth of their emotion.
In consequence of this reception, Don Torribio had been formally acknowledged as having a claim to the hand of Doña Hermosa, and in that capacity was received by her. ”

“ In the meantime, the thundering gallop of the approaching horsemen grew louder. Don Torribio saw it was time to make a finish, and shot the governor's horse through the head.
Don José came violently to the ground, but was up again in a moment, and aimed a blow at the renegade, which the latter avoided by a dexterous movement. Then the gallant old soldier put the muzzle of his pistol to his own forehead.
"A man like me," said he, "never surrenders to dogs like you; here, curs, quarrel over my body!" ”

“ Don Torribio replied, "we are alone, so you can come, as well as your comrade, who, I suppose, is your friend Corrocho."
"You have guessed right, Excellency," said Corrocho, as he came from behind a sandhill.
"Faithful to our word," said Panchito, "we have arrived at the spot and hour appointed."
"That is well, my good fellows, and thanks. Come here, but remain on horseback. Are you both devoted to me?"
"To the last drop of our blood, Excellency," the two gauchos said.
"And you do not despise money?"
"Money can only injure those who have none," the sententious Panchito remarked. ”

“ Where are you going?"
"Excuse me if I keep the object of my expedition secret. Certain persons must not have the sole right of making mysterious excursions."
"Indeed!" said Don Pedro peevishly. "And do you intend to stay away long?"
"I hope not, but dare not say I am sure."
"So much the better. Come back to us as soon as you can; for," said he significantly, "your return will please all of us here."
"¿Quién sabe?" (who knows?) muttered Don Torribio, with a sinister expression.
Doña Hermosa, who overheard these two words, could no longer master her fears. ”

“ His presence at the hacienda was, therefore, nothing extraordinary. Nevertheless, his appearance excited lively curiosity in the guests; for it was a long time since Don Fernando had been seen at any entertainment.
Like Don Torribio, the hunter, when he entered the room, approached Doña Hermosa, bowed profoundly to her, and respectfully offered her a flower he held in his hand.
"Señorita," said he, in a voice full of suppressed emotion, "deign to accept this modest flower; it grows only in the desert," he added, significantly. ”

“ For a long time they have not dared to invade our frontiers."
An almost imperceptible smile curled the lips of Don Fernando. "You forget the Tigercat and his adherents," said he.
"Oh! the Tigercat is only a bandit," said the governor hastily. "Besides, Government is at this moment preparing an expedition against him, so as to finish, once and for all, with his band of brigands."
"It is an admirable idea," said Don Torribio, with a sarcastic sneer. "It is time this frontier should be cleared of the host of fellows, with more than equivocal habits, who infest it." ”

“ He reached the fort at the moment when Don Torribio and the governor were crossing the drawbridge, but absorbed in his own thoughts, he did not perceive the two horsemen. This accident was the cause of an irreparable misfortune.
As for the two girls, they proceeded haphazard toward the camp fires, a short distance from which they halted to regain breath and calm the movement of their hearts, which beat as if ready to start from their breasts. When near the danger they voluntarily sought, they felt their courage abandon them; the sight of the Indian toldos made their blood run cold with terror. ”

“ She answered: "Cousin, you have lived too long in France."
"How so, señorita?"
"Because," she replied, with a smile as cold and keen as the point of a poniard, "France has made you a detestable flatterer."
"¡Bravo!" chuckled the fat governor, whose cheeks shook with delight. "You see Don Torribio, our creoles rival the Parisian ladies in the smartness of their repartee."
"Incontestably, colonel," answered Don Torribio. "But I can take my own part," he added in an undefinable tone; "I shall soon have my revenge." ”

“ Don Torribio cast one more look of affection at the toldo, which concealed, as he had said, all he loved in this world, and then went his way with rapid strides.
"Now," said he, "let me be a man! They are bold men we have to contend with."
As soon as the chief had ordered the sachems to their posts, where the warriors were anxiously expecting the word to let them loose upon the foe, they proceeded to the different stations where their respective tribes were posted.
The men then commenced one of those incredible marches which Indians alone can perform—crawling on their bellies over the ground. ”