CHAPTER IX
A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH
THERE was not a dull moment for Francisco during the weeks thatfollowed. Don Carlos, the superintendent, lived in the great house theyear through. He was a bachelor and a man of education, so that when theColonel came each summer he insisted that he keep his usual quarters;for the house was very extensive and the Colonel enjoyed his company atmeals and during the long evenings.
Francisco had accompanied Don Carlos on several excursions and once,with a _tropilla_ of horses (eight or ten riding horses driven loose bya _peon_ for fresh mounts on a long journey), they had gone on a journeyof five days to a neighbouring _estancia_ to purchase algarroba postsfor the extensive fencing that was taking place on the Tres Arroyasranch. This algarroba wood is like iron and under water is almostimperishable.
They had passed by one small _estancia_ devoted almost exclusively topeanut culture; there were leagues and leagues of them being raised tobe shipped to the Mediterranean ports to be made into _olive oil_. Theyhad their dinner at this _estancia_ and Francisco ate bread made frompowdered peanuts mixed with wheat flour and he found it very delicious.
Jose had taken him on several fishing excursions, and once they hadhunted _armadillos_ with small dogs. Francisco had laughed heartily atthe antics of one dog, who had almost caught the horny-plated littleanimal when it suddenly rolled up into a ball, its back of movable, bonybands enveloping it like an armour, and rolled off a bluff over theriver bank, falling fully fifty feet; while the puzzled dog peepedcautiously over the brink to see it unroll itself and with its shortlegs hastily dig a retreat under the earth.
On Francisco's birthday his uncle had given a _fiesta_ in his honour.There were fireworks and races, and cowboys from all parts of the_estancia_ came in their full cowboy regalia on their best horses toparticipate. It was very interesting, and then there was a dinner foreverybody and after that a dance. Francisco, himself, presented theprizes, and his uncle made a speech.
After so much excitement Francisco overslept the next morning, and awoketo find that his uncle had ridden to a far corner of the _estancia_ toinspect some of the new fencing; he had left word that he would notreturn until late that night.
Francisco sat under his favourite ombu tree, watching a _manganga_, orcarpenter bee, that was humming loudly in the foliage above his head andlooking like a shining ball of gold among the green leaves. He hadreceived a letter from his mother that morning, and he was a bithomesick.
"El Senorito is _triste_. No?" It was Jose's voice behind him.
Francisco brushed away a tear that had stolen down his cheek, and turnedto greet the Indian with a smile. "I was wishing to see Elena, but itwon't be long now; and I shall hate to leave this lovely place, too. Butone can't have everything one wants, all at the same time, can one,Jose?"
"No, Senorito, but we always have _one_ happiness; have you noticed it?There never comes a time when we haven't one, at least. Now I've onejust now, and I am going to share it with you. It will take away yoursadness."
"Is it--is it another fishing trip?"
"No, but it's better. Now listen, and I will tell you about it.
"While the _gauchos_ were dancing and making merry over your birthday,last night, some miserable robbers got into the horse corrals and stoleall the horses' tails."
"The horses' tails!" gasped Francisco.
"Yes, you see that's partly what we raise wild horses for; their skinsand their tails. South American horsehair for mattresses is famous allover the world, and it brings good prices. Now, these thieves make theirliving by visiting the different _estancias_ and helping themselves tothe horses' tails.
"Word came to your uncle, just before he left, that when one hundred ofhis horses were driven out of the Corral De Oeste this morning, theyhadn't a single tail among them. So he has offered one hundred _pesos_to the one, or ones, who can catch these thieves. Would you like totry?"
Had Jose asked him if he would like to swing on to the new moon by histoes Francisco could not have been more startled.
"Try--! Why Jose, you can't be in earnest!"
"_Como no?_" grinned the Indian cheerfully.
"But Jose, wouldn't they shoot us, and, anyhow, I know you are jestingwhen you ask _if I_ would care to try. You,--you are a strong man, evenif you are getting old, and I heard the _peon_ children down by the hutssay that there was no man for leagues and leagues around that couldwrestle as you do; that you learned how from a Japanese soldier yearsago in Chile. And I know you can shoot; but I would just be in the way."
"No, Senorito, you wouldn't be in the way. Manuel and I want you to gowith us because we need you."
"Need _me_! Oh, Jose!" and Francisco's eyes gleamed brightly. "Do youthink Uncle would allow me to go with you?"
"He is not here to say, and we must leave before he returns. But he leftyou in my care and if I feel sure no harm can befall you, I see noreason why you should not go."
"Oh! Oh! Oh!" shouted the happy boy, dancing around Jose and clappinghis hands.
"This is the greatest adventure I ever had. To hunt brigands! Why, it'stoo good to be true. Won't Ricardo grow green with envy when I tell himabout it, and won't the little English boy sit with his eyes wide open,while I recount the story to him. He will hush up about his ostrichesand guanacos after this," and Francisco sat on the ground hugging hisknees, and rocking to and fro gleefully.
"Well, don't clean your turtles till you've tied them, Senorito. We maynot get them. It's only because I have a clue and a scheme that I amwilling to try; for they are pretty clever fellows and they won't beeasy to catch. We want to take you for a decoy, and besides, I think youwould enjoy it. A Lacevera, even at nine years of age, is no coward."
"A coward, I should say not. Why, Jose, I am _never_ afraid. But what isa decoy?"
"A decoy? Well, that's what we used when we caught flamingoes the othernight. Do you remember how we put young frogs on the end of a string andthen lay low in the grass and waited?"
"But, you can't tie a string to me, Jose--and--and--besides I don'tbe--believe I want to be a decoy. It isn't that I'm not brave; no,indeed, Jose--but I think I would rather you would decoy them withsomething else."
"Leave that to me, Senorito, and I promise they won't hurt you. You musthave forgotten you are a Lacevera. They shall not gobble you up as theflamingoes did the frogs. Just what would you buy, anyhow, if you gotyour share of the reward?"
"Buy!--Let me see. There are so many things to buy. But now that I havemy lovely saddle and silver stirrups I don't need much for myself. Ithink I would buy a beautiful parasol, all lace and chiffon, forGuillerma, for young ladies don't care for anything much but clothes.Then I should buy a jewelled fan for Mama, and then--well, I believeElena and I would spend the balance for Carnival as it comes next month.But Jose, what did you say about not cleaning your turtles till you hadtied them?"
Jose laughed and patted him on the back. "True, Don Francisco. But letme tell you our plan, or part of it. I have reason to believe that thesetwo horsetail thieves are taking shelter with some charcoal burners overnear the river. These charcoal burners are rough men, who live almostlike savages. They injure no one, however, and it is only when theyquarrel among themselves that they do any harm. They may not know whothese men are, and are allowing them to tarry with them, believing themto be beggars, or _gauchos_ hunting employment.
"I feel sure they are too loyal to the _estancia_ to harbour them ifthey knew who they were. Now be ready immediately after breakfast, forwe must start in time to reach the charcoal kilns before dusk."
It was twelve o'clock, when Jose, Manuel and Francisco galloped off inthe direction of the river, and it was just _mate_ time when they camein sight of the charcoal kilns and adobe huts near the river's bank.
Gathered about the fires, over which hung boiling water for making the_mate_, were several clusters of these uncouth appearing men. Dirtylooking women sat in groups apart, with dozens of dirtier childrenrolling about on the hard earth at
their feet. A pack of dogs ran out togreet them, yelping in front of their horses, until they were called offby their respective owners.
Jose and Manuel approached one group, and after greeting and beinggreeted, asked for boiling water with which to make _mate_. This wasgiven willingly, and with Francisco they sat down on the ground amongthe men and began leisurely to sip _mate_ from the gourd that Manuelalways carried in his saddle bags.
They talked in friendly fashion with the dirty _carboneros_, who were asblack as the fuel they made. Francisco noticed two men, who were lessgrimy in appearance and who sat quietly side by side, taking no part inthe conversation.
They glanced occasionally at Jose and Manuel in a hostile manner, andsuspicion seemed to lurk in their attitude towards them. Francisco feltsure these were the thieves, but Jose and Manuel took no notice whateverof them and Francisco feared his friends had not seen them.
After _mate_ Francisco asked to see the kilns and Jose and Manuel tookhim over to examine them and explain to him how the willow was madeinto charcoal. It was quite dark when they returned to the huts andproposed that they return to the _casa_.
"Can the boy take another long ride in the same day?" asked one of the_carboneros_, more kindly in manner than the rest. "Is he not exhausted?We have no shelter here, but you are welcome to roll up in your blanketsby the fires, for the night wind from the Pampas is cool."
"No, it is moonlight. A thousand 'gracias'[21] for your offer, but thelad is a good rider and we shall be home before midnight;" and biddingthem _adios_, Jose and Manuel with Francisco, wondering at theirbehaviour, started towards the enclosure where the horses had beenstaked together with several other animals.
And then Jose did a thing that made Francisco's eyes fairly start fromhis head. He deliberately lifted up the stake to which a piebald mare,belonging to one of the thieves, was tethered, and throwing the knottedend of the long bridle across the pommel of his own saddle, rode out atthe far end of the enclosure.
As he galloped off, Manuel and Francisco followed and soon they were allabreast, their horses' swift feet brushing the evening dew from thepampas grass as they flew along the level prairie. They rode so fastthat the little fellow could not venture a question, it required all ofhis wits to keep his seat.
They had gone thus for fifteen or twenty minutes when he heard the soundof horses' hoofs away off in the distance.
"Carramba! They are after us," cried Manuel. "Good! Now for the chase.Let your heart be glad, Senorito, they have taken the bait."
Still Francisco wondered, he could not yet see through their plans, butexcitement made his blood run hot through his veins; and he held on toBarboza's neck and spurred her on to keep the pace.
When a glimpse of water ahead of them, sparkling in the moonlight, toldthem they were near the river Salinas, a small tributary to the greatriver they had just left, the men slackened their speed and Franciscowas able to get a full breath.
He could hear the soft thud of the pursuing horses' feet on the pampasgrass plainer and plainer, and when their own horses were within a fewhundred feet of the stream he could hear the men's shouts.
"Are there more than two?" asked Jose.
"No, just the two thieves, themselves. Those _carboneros_ would nevergive us pursuit. It is none of their affair and they seldom meddle.They probably loaned one a horse in place of this one you are leading."
"Or they helped themselves as we did," chuckled the Indian.
They were close to the ford now; in the bright moonlight the middle ofthe river gleamed and danced; but the two banks were in deep shadowbecause of the heavy clumps of willows and low growing trees.
The thieves were but a short distance behind them when their horsesplunged into the water.
"Heaven be praised! So far--so good," whispered Jose to Francisco. "Nowdo just as I bid you; our time is come."
They crossed the ford and were leaving the water, enveloped in the denseshadows, when Jose dropped from his horse and threw the reins intoFrancisco's hand; Manuel did the same, as Jose's voice said in awhisper,
"Ride half a league and wait for us."
And now the boy saw their plan; he was to ride ahead, the hoof beats ofthe four horses indicating to the pursuers that they were all stillfleeing, and Jose and Manuel in ambush would have it all their own way.
He spurred his horse to its highest speed; but it seemed to him that hisheart-beats would drown the hoof beats, so vigorously was it poundingagainst his side. It was an anxious interval and to the fleeing boyseemed an eternity; but it was really but half a minute when he heard asharp cry, and then--a shot. But he rode on, fearing to stop until thehalf league was covered. He knew the fight was over and that either Joseand Manuel were being carried back to the huts beside the big river, orthat they would soon overtake him with their prisoners.
Soon a shout came to his ears. It was Jose's voice and his mind wasrelieved. He reined in the horses, which was an easy matter for theywere panting, and waited beside a shrine, whose white cross stood like aghost beside the trail; and soon he saw four figures toiling along, twoin front and two behind. The two in the rear were Jose and Manuel, andthey were holding their pistols close to the heads of the two in front,who walked with the shambling gait of men whose feet were hobbled, asthey were, with stout _bola_ thongs; their hands were tied behind them,and as they shuffled unevenly along they were bawling out curses, thelike of which Francisco's ears had never heard.
But the boy was so eager to hear about their capture that he paid noattention to the vile language, that at any other time would have madehim cringe and tremble.
"Oh! Jose--Manuel--Do tell me all about it! How did you get them?"
"Well, you see, we grappled with them so unexpectedly that they had notime to defend themselves; thanks to the little frog on the end of thestring," and Jose patted the boy on the shoulders encouragingly.
"One of them tried to shoot as he was regaining his feet, just after wedragged them from their horses, and Manuel has a scratch on his thigh,but otherwise, we are all well and doing finely. Manuel will ride on tothe _casa_ for help and you and I will remain here to keep thesegentlemen company. They are great on talking, just listen to them now.Maybe they will tell us the price of horsehair per kilo--eh, gentlemen?"and the Indian grinned derisively at the cursing men.
"But Jose, Manuel is not fit for the saddle; let me go to the house.Please, I beg of you--"
"What! Alone--and at night. Why, the Colonel _would_ say I had riskedmuch should he see you ride in at midnight--alone."
"Uncle? Why uncle Juan is always pleased when I show any bravery; andbesides there is nothing else to do. Manuel can't stay with just mehere--he is suffering, and he can't ride--so it's the only thing to bedone."
"Well, but you will have to ride pretty fast, Senorito, and tell them tosend the _peons_ immediately. Here, ride the piebald mare. It's yoursanyhow, I dare say, or will be. It has been all day in the corral and isfresh, while Barboza is tired."
Jose changed the saddle, and Francisco was off towards the _casa_.
It was nearly two o'clock when Don Carlos awoke the Colonel, who hadreturned about midnight from his journey.
"Who calls, Colonel? It sounds like the Nino's voice."
They were out by the edge of the house corral, as Francisco rode up, andwith almost the last breath he seemed to have left in his little body,he shouted,
"We've caught them! We've caught them! They are over by the 'LastTribute' shrine near the Rio Salinas, and Jose and Manuel are waitingfor help to bring them here; Jose could not bring them alone, and Manuelhas a wound."
His uncle was lifting the tired Nino from the saddle, but he did notplace him on the ground; he carried him close to his heart into thehouse and laid him on his soft bed. He left him saying he would go withDon Carlos to help rouse the _peons_, and Francisco heard him blow hisnose vigorously as he crossed the _patio_, and knowing that his UncleJuan had no cold, he accepted the tribute to his bravery with a proudsmile, and was as
leep before he knew it.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 21: Thanks.]
CHAPTER X
THE CARNIVAL
Francisco, Our Little Argentine Cousin Page 12