by Zavo
The only word I understood was Mexico. When I did not respond, this angered him. He came several steps closer, brandishing his saber. It was clear my life was in peril. I raised my hands higher, hoping they would understand the sign that I meant no harm. Behind them I could see the entire column advancing, with the General several yards ahead of his men.
“I am just riding through this area and don’t want any trouble. I’m sorry, but I don’t speak Spanish.”
The General had broken into a gallop. He must have realized the danger I was in and wanted to prevent bloodshed. At least I hoped that was his intent. At the same time, another soldier rode after my horse.
The General spoke, and all five men stopped as one.
He rode up to me. So close in fact his horse threw sand on my boots. His piercing brown eyes took in every aspect of my features. I felt naked in front of him. His gaze traveled the length of my body not once, but twice. I did not miss the lingering look at my crotch. I had been in this country for several days now, and my skin was darkened from the unrelenting sun. But there was no way he could mistake the fact that I was a gringo from the United States. He dismounted and stepped to me.
He was a commanding figure, and a few inches taller than me. A pleasant smell emanated from him, some type of perfume, mixed with his sweat. He was quite handsome, with light brown skin, black hair, and a black mustache. He was solid as well, his blue coat barely containing his torso. His legs were thick and muscular, the white material of his pants nicely outlining them. The material also cupped and lifted a substantial lump beneath the gold buttons at his crotch. He watched me gauging his cock. He smiled and stuck out his hand.
“My apologies, señor. My soldiers understand English, but refuse to speak it. I was schooled in one of the fine universities in Los Estados Unidos. I’m very fluent in both reading and writing your language.
“I am Brigadier General Alejandro Reyes, of the Army of the Republic of Mexico. I command Fort Loreto, which lies just a few miles from here. Please tell me your name and what brings you to my beautiful country.”
His English was very good, with only a slight accent. I had certainly not been expecting the warm welcome I was receiving. Because of his demeanor, I decided to be perfectly honest with him.
“Brigadier General Reyes, my name is Jake Slater. I have come to Mexico to make a new life for myself. Unfortunately, I have never been across the border and I became lost. You and your soldiers are the first people I’ve seen in two days.”
He stared at me intently, as if trying to measure the truth of my words. The soldiers surrounding him did not lower their carbines or their sabers.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jake Slater. You are indeed fortunate, my friend, that we came across you when we did. This is a very desolate part of Mexico. There is not much here other than my fort, a few ranches, and La Casa de Los Hombres. You are several miles from the border, deep in the heart of Mexico. I would like to extend an invitation to you to come back to my fort, so we may show you the full hospitality Mexico has to offer.”
With his soldiers still brandishing their weapons, and despite his demeanor, it seemed my choice was obvious: I needed to go with this Brigadier General and his men. Also, I figured I would be safe at a Mexican fort if my pursuers from the United States came looking for me.
“I appreciate and accept your invitation, Brigadier General Reyes.”
“Mr. Slater, I’d be honored if you rode alongside me.”
“Please, call me Jake.”
The soldier returned at that moment with my horse.
I mounted my horse, Brigadier General Reyes mounted his, and we rode side by side to rejoin the column of soldiers. His subordinates quickly fell in line behind us. When we joined the rest of the troops, I was met with suspicious stares. However, none of them displayed an open hostility toward me.
We set off across the sand dunes. I didn’t miss the fact that we were moving at a much faster pace than when I had initially spotted the regiment. We rode for several hours in silence. The sun was high overhead when we crested a small dune; below us was a large valley, with a massive fort at its center. We didn’t pause but began our descent into the valley. As we drew closer I could see the fort was constructed of whitewashed adobe. It shone brightly in the afternoon sun. Several men walked the parapet. A flag of red, green, and white flew proudly above the garrison. An eagle was in the white, center stripe, with a snake clutched in its talons. When we reached the fort, two large wooden gates swung inward, and we entered the pavilion.
The interior was laid out similar to many of the forts I had visited in the Western United States. Off to my right, just past the dais from which the Mexican flag proudly waved was a corral filled with horses. The corral fed into a large, one-story barn. Behind and on both sides of the barn were rows of barracks for the soldiers. I had seen their like at Fort Benson. To our left were several rows of corn and other vegetables miraculously growing in this unforgiving climate. Beyond the gardens, several columns of soldiers were carrying out expertly-maneuvered drills. Farther still, almost to the garrison’s outer wall, was a large building with grayish smoke streaming from its chimney. Based on the smells that wafted to me, it had to be either the mess hall or a smoke house.
We rode to the barn, where the soldiers reined in and began unsaddling their mounts. Brigadier General Reyes, me, and another unidentified man left the soldiers at the corral. A two-story house that I hadn’t seen on the ride in was suddenly looming in front of us. It was nestled almost lovingly in a large copse of jacarandas. It was also composed of white adobe, with a bright terra-cotta roof. All the windows facing us on the second story had flower boxes beneath them. Each one was overflowing with colorful varieties I couldn’t begin to name. A wide porch complemented the entire front of the house. On it a wooden swing, plus a table and four chairs, looked well-worn and comfortable. When we dismounted, a man came out the front door, acknowledged our arrival with a soft, “Welcome home,” and quietly led our horses away.
“Welcome to my home, Jake. Please forgive my bad manners. Allow me to introduce you to Colonel Gerardo Sandoval.”
The heretofore unidentified soldier stepped to me and extended his hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Slater.”
“Same here, Colonel. Please, call me Jake.”
We shook hands heartily.
“That will be all, Colonel.”
“Yes, General Reyes.”
The man saluted sharply, mounted his horse, and rode away.
“Please follow me, Jake. I will show you the house. And please call me Alejandro.”
We climbed the steps and faced a large oaken door. In its center was the eagle insignia that was on the Mexican flag. Alejandro opened the door, stepped aside, and gallantly waved me inside. He entered close upon my heels. We were standing in a large foyer. The floor was made of a light wood, and the inside walls were also of white adobe. A large Mexican flag covered the entire wall to our left. Several landscapes hung on the remaining wall. To the right, wooden stairs of the same light hue, rose and curved gracefully to the second floor. A black wrought-iron railing accented the stairs. To the left of the stairs was a long hallway, its destination curving out of our line of sight. Wondrous smells emanated down it, but we could not see their source from where we stood. As we started down the hall, Alejandro stopped at the first room on our left.
“This is the drawing room,” he explained.
It was overflowing with sumptuous dark leather furniture, and wall-to-wall rugs of varying shades of browns, golds, and reds. Dark beams crisscrossed the ceiling. One entire wall was taken up by a fieldstone fireplace. Above the mantel was a coat of arms. Two crossed sabers were mounted beneath it. We continued on. The next room needed no introduction; it was obviously the dining room. A long table that appeared able to seat twenty was positioned regally in the center of the room. It was made of a dark wood, as were the chairs, all of which were polished to a lustro
us shine. The backs, legs, and arms of the chairs were intricately carved. A large chandelier was suspended above the table. Wooden beams also crisscrossed this ceiling.
“Now on to the kitchen, Jake.”
The kitchen was at the end of the hall, as I had surmised. It was a massive affair. A large table stood in the very center. On it were heaped piles of vegetables of all sizes and varieties. Another table of stone was in the far corner. Its use was clear, as several plucked chickens and various hindquarters of beef and pork hung on hooks above it. Across from the entryway were two large open ovens recessed in the wall. To the left of these was a large rack on which hung pots and pans, as well as a vast array of wicked-looking knives. A set of French doors was to the right of the ovens. A half-dozen young men were bustling about the kitchen, stoking the fires, chopping vegetables, and cutting large chunks of meat. They must already be preparing for the evening meal.
Alejandro returned the numerous greetings.
“Let us view the second floor, Jake.”
I followed Alejandro back down the hallway and up the stairs. As we did, I admired the way his white pants clung to his ass. When we reached the top of the stairs, a hallway extended to our left, at the end of which, on the right, was a set of double doors. Nothing else. Alejandro opened the doors and ushered me in. I faced a large desk with a competent-looking young officer sitting behind it. To my right and left were two rows of overstuffed chairs, three to a row. The walls were adorned with military portraits and scenes of battle, in addition to numerous maps. It was clear this was the brigadier general’s personal office. When the young officer saw Alejandro, he fairly leapt to his feet and saluted.
“Welcome home, General Reyes!” the young man cried in heavily accented but understandable English. Alejandro returned the salute.
“Thank you. Jake, this is Miguel. For all intents and purposes, he is my aide-de-camp. Miguel, this is Jake Slater. We found him wandering in the desert.”
“Pleased to meet you, Señor Slater.”
I shook hands vigorously with the young man. Miguel walked to another second set of double doors and flung them open excitedly. It was an enormous library. The shelves were of a dark wood and covered all four walls from floor to ceiling. The only break was another open door that led to another room. I could see a bed through the opening. In the center of the library stood two dark leather chairs, in addition to an enormous leather sofa. There was a table between the chairs as well as smaller tables at both ends of the sofa. On each table perched an ornate, glass oil lamp. A bright rug was on the floor between the furniture. A sideboard behind the couch held numerous decanters of brightly colored liquids, in addition to a selection of glassware.
“This is very impressive, Alejandro.”
“Thank you, Jake. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes.”
He beamed as he led me into the library and then to the adjoining bedroom. A large fireplace was on the wall to our right. It was smaller than the one in the drawing room below. A fire burned steadily within. Past it was a tapestried doorway. A large sofa, again of leather, faced the fireplace with two of the same tables as in the library at either end. The lamps were the same as well. The floor was of a light brown tile. As with the office, the walls were adorned with portraits of stern looking military men, military battles, and weapons of all description. Some of them appeared to be very ancient.
Taking up most of the room was an ornate bed. It was of a dark wood, almost black, with four posters the size of my legs at each corner. A tall headboard climbed halfway to the ceiling. A light, white fabric covered the bed. It trailed down on three sides to the floor. On the fourth side it was pulled back and tied at both corners, forming a natural entrance. An enormous armoire stood against the wall to the left of the bed. I spied a set of French doors next to the armoire, partially hidden by a tapestry. When I stepped next to the bed, I saw the doors led to a balcony which held a small table and two chairs.
“Please, Jake, say you will be my guest for the next couple of days. After that, you can decide whether or not you’d like to stay. Siesta is in a few hours. Perhaps you’d like to bathe before then?”
“I would like that very much, Alejandro.”
“Have a seat here, Jake. I will have your bath made ready.”
I sat on the sofa and stared at the fire. Alejandro disappeared into the office. Shortly thereafter, Miguel entered carrying a silver tray. On it was a glass filled halfway with a yellowish-gold liquid.
“Tequila for you, señor?”
“Thank you, Miguel.”
I took the glass and drank its contents in one gulp. He left the room and returned quickly with a decanter. He took my glass, refilled it, and set the decanter on the table.
“Please help yourself while I am gone, señor.”
After what must have been a good half hour, Miguel reappeared. I had put a good dent in the tequila and was feeling slightly drunk.
“Please, follow me, señor.”
I followed Miguel around the bed and past the fireplace. He pulled back the tapestry and opened a slim door. I followed him into a room the likes of which I had never seen before. Two walls were lined with small windows. They started at the height of my chest. Each was adorned with numerous plants on their sills, small cacti being the only ones I recognized. All the windows were open, allowing in a surprisingly cool breeze.
All of the walls were done in a stone that I was guessing was marble, though I had only seen it in pictures. To my right was a shelf on which were folded towels. On a lower shelf were jars and bowls of ointments and lotions. Large cacti and small jacarandas stood in terra-cotta pots placed at intervals along the walls. A door stood open, revealing a set of steps leading to the ground floor. I surmised this was where the water was brought in for bathing. The biggest surprise was the bathtub itself. It took up almost the entire room. It looked like it was also of marble, but it was light brown. Marble steps provided access to the tub.
“Your bath is ready, Señor Jake. I will take your clothes and have them washed for you.”
“Thank you, Miguel.”
I stripped out of my clothes and handed them to Miguel. After he left, I climbed to the rim of the tub and tested the water with a toe. It was very hot and felt absolutely wonderful. It was then that I noted a second series of steps descending into the water itself. I stepped down into the tub and waded to the far end. Once there, I turned around and sat down, facing the steps. The water came up to my neck. I had never felt anything like it. I closed my eyes and lay back against the side of the tub.
“How is the water, Jake?”
I hadn’t heard Alejandro enter the bathroom. But there he was, at the foot of the steps. He was wearing a robe that looked as if it were silk. It was open in the front, revealing everything the Brigadier General had to offer.
Chapter Seven
Ben
I stepped back out of the line of sight and peered around the frame of the door. Josiah was just coming down the steps of his house as the group of men reined in a few yards from him.
“Greetings, gentlemen. My name is Josiah Smith, one of the leaders of this small group of humble farmers. What brings you here on this fine day? Can I offer you some refreshment, or perhaps some water for your horses?”
None of the men replied at first. With the true instinct of lawmen, they were taking in the lay of the land. The man on Josiah’s right was the first to break the silence and, as one of the two men with badges, appeared to be the leader of the group. He dismounted and extended his hand to Josiah. All the while, his eyes were searching everything around him. Was he looking for me? How would anyone know I was here?
“Hello, Josiah. My name is Seth Rawlins. I’m the Sheriff of El Paso, and these men are members of my posse.”
He indicated the group of riders behind him with a wave of his arm.
Seth Rawlins! I felt my knees grow weak, and I sat down in the hay. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my mouth was as dry as cotto
n. Was he related to Sheriff Rawlins? It was then the resemblance to Rawlins struck me. Seth had to be a brother, or a cousin. My run of bad luck couldn’t end this soon.
“We’re looking for an outlaw that escaped from Abilene. We believe he’s headed for Mexico, so we’ve been patrolling along the Rio Grande for a good while now, with no luck.”
“Please come inside and take some refreshment, Mr. Rawlins. It will be more comfortable to talk there.”
“Thanks, Josiah. This is Nathaniel Harrison. He’s a Texas Ranger, and currently the interim sheriff of Abilene. We’ll join you. Do you mind if my men water our horses at the pool we just passed?”
“Not at all, Sheriff Rawlins.”
As Nathaniel dismounted, Seth ordered the rest of the men to water the horses, including his and Nathaniel’s. As they rode away, the three men went inside Josiah’s house. I couldn’t move, nor think of what action to take. Should I wait to see if they were searching for me? Was it Seth Sheriff Rawlins had been telegraphing on our ride back to Abilene? Seth, who happened to be the sheriff of El Paso! If that had been the case, Seth would definitely have looked for Rawlins when he didn’t show up in Abilene.
The three men had been inside for a good half hour when I heard voices. I peered around the doorframe to see Seth and Nathaniel coming down the steps, followed by Josiah.
“I wish I could help you gentlemen, but no one fitting that description has come through here. However, if anyone does spot him, we’ll send a rider to Abilene right away.”
“Much appreciated, Mr. Smith.”
Seth and Nathaniel walked the short distance to the pool where the posse was waiting. They talked animatedly for several minutes before mounting and riding way. I still did not move for fear they might have stopped just beyond the settlement and were watching it to determine if the gentle farmer was telling the truth.
“Benjamin, are you in here?”
It was Josiah. I hadn’t heard him come in, and for a moment, he startled me. My heart was again pounding in my chest.