As they picked their way along a narrow footpath toward the beach, theportly Leidesdorff advanced to greet them. "Would that I had a cloak ofvelvet," he said gallantly, "so that I might lay it in the mire at yourfeet, fair lady." Anita Windham flashed a smile at him. "Like thechivalrous Don Walter Raleigh," she responded. "Ah, but I am not a QueenElizabeth. Nor is this London." She regarded with a shrug of distastethe stretch of mud-flats reaching to the tide-line, rubbish--litteredand unfragrant. Knee-deep in its mire, bare-legged Indians and bootedmen drove piles for the superstructure of a new pier.
Lieutenant Bryant joined them, brisk and natty in his naval garb. He wasthe new alcalde, Bartlett having been displaced and ordered torejoin his ship.
"No, it's not London," he took up Anita's statement, "but it's going tobe a better San Francisco if I have my way. We'll fill that bog withsand and lay out streets between Fort Montgomery and the Rincon, if thegovernor'll cede the tide-flats to the town. Jasper O'Farrell ismaking a map."
"See, they are landing," cried the Dona Windham, clapping her hands.
A boat put off amid hails from the shore. Soon four officers and aboat's crew stood upon the landing pier and gazed about them curiously.
"That's Colonel Stevenson," said Bryant, nodding toward the leader. Onthe verge of fifty, statesmanlike of mien and manner, stood the man whohad recruited the first volunteer company which came around The Horn. Hefingered his sword a bit awkwardly, as though unused to military dressformalities. But his eyes were keen and eager and commanding.
More boats put off from the anchored vessel. By and by the paradebegan, led by Captain Stevenson. It was a straggling military formationthat toiled up-hill through the sand toward Portsmouth Square. These menwere from the byways and hedges of life. Some of them had shifty eyesand some bold, predatory glances which forebode nothing good for SanFrancisco's peace. Adventurers for the most part, lured to this newland, some by the wander spirit, others by a wish to free themselvesfrom the restraints of law. Certain of them were to die upon thegallows; others were to be the proud and honored citizens of a raw,potential metropolis. They talked loudly, vehemently, to one another asthey marched like school boys seeing strange sights, pointing eagerly atall that aroused their interest. The officers marched more stiffly asthough conscious of official noblesse oblige.
"I wish that Inez might have seen it," Mrs. Windham said a littlewistfully. "But she must help the Indian seamstress with her gown forthe dance. Don Adrian is to be there."
"He has decided that there are other ways of serving God than in thepulpit," remarked Stanley. "They talk of making him the master of theschool ... if our committee can ever decide on a location and what's topay for it."
* * * * *
In the full regimentals of his rank, Colonel Stevenson gracedLeidesdorff's ballroom that evening, cordially exchanging smiles andbows with San Francisco's citizenry. Besides him was his quartermaster,Captain Joseph Folsom who, though less than thirty, had seen activeservice in a Florida campaign against the Seminoles. He held himselfslightly aloof with the class consciousness of the West Pointer.
Nearby stood a lanky surgeon of the volunteers discussing antisepticswith Dr. Jones. Leidesdorff was everywhere, pathetically eager toplease, an ecstatic, perspiring figure, making innumerable inquiries asto the comfort of his guests.
"He's like a mother hen worried over a brood of new chicks," saidBrannan to Jasper O'Farrell.
"And a damned fine little man," the Irishman answered. "Oh--I beg yourpardon, Senorita."
Inez Windham smiled forgiveness, nodding when he asked her for a dance."Tell me," she asked eagerly, "of the grand new map you make for SanFrancisco."
"Ah," O'Farrell said, "they laugh at it because I have to changeVioget's acute and obtuse angles. They call it 'O'Farrell's Swing.' Yousee, I've had to change the direction of some streets. There are manymore now. Eight hundred acres laid out like a city."
As the music stopped he led her to a bench and fumbled in his pocket fora drawing which he straightened on his knees. "See, here is a new roadthrough the center, a broad way, straight as an arrow from the bay tothe foot of Twin Peaks. It parallels the Mission camino, and Bryantwants to call it Market street."
"But how is this?" asked Inez puzzled, "streets where there is only mudand water--"
"They will be reclaimed with the waste from our leveled sand hills,"said O'Farrell. He glanced about him searchingly, then whispered:"Tonight Governor Mason told me confidentially he would cede the tideflats to our local government, provided they are sold at auction for thebenefit of San Francisco. They'll go cheap; but some day they'll beworth thousands. Tell your father--"
He broke off hastily. Toward them stalked Benito Windham, covered withdust as though from a long ride. There was trouble in his eyes. With aswift apology he drew his sister aside. "McTurpin," he panted. "He isback ... with a dozen men ... riding toward the rancho."
CHAPTER XIII
THE "SYDNEY DUCKS"
Dazed with the suddenness of Benito's announcement and its menacingaugury, Inez sought her father and Adrian. The latter acted instantly."Do not tell your wife," he said to Windham. "There may be nothingamiss. And if there should be, she will find no profit in knowing. Tellher you are called away and follow me to the square. We will ride atonce to the rancho."
He pressed Inez' hand and was gone. "Take care of your mother," he saidover his shoulder, an admonition which Don Roberto repeated a momentlater as he hurried out. She was left alone in a maze of doubts, fears,speculations. What was McTurpin doing in San Francisco? Why had he andhis companions ridden toward the Windham rancho? There was only oneanswer. Most of the vaqueros were at a fandango in the Mission. Only theserving women and a few men too old for dancing remained at home.
Meawhile her brother, father, lover were speeding homeward, into what? Atrap? An ambush? Certainly to battle with a foe out-numbering themfour to one.
At the Mission were a dozen of their servants; men whose fathers andgrandfathers had ridden herd for her family. Any one of them would givehis life to serve a Windham.
Inez looked about her feverishly. Should she ask O'Farrell to accompanyher? He was dancing with one of the Mormon women. Brannan and Spear werenot to be seen. Leidesdorff was impossible in such an emergency.Besides, she could not take him from his guests. She would go alone,decided Inez. Quietly she made her way to the cloak-room, in charge ofan Indian servant, caught up her mantilla and riding crop and fled. Onthe square her horse whinnied at her approach as if eager to be gone.Swiftly she climbed into the saddle and spurred forward.
Far ahead gleamed the lights of the Mission. They were making merrythere with the games and dance of old Spain. And to the south Benito,Adrian, her father, rode toward a battle with treacherous men.Breathlessly she spurred her horse to greater effort. Trees flashed bylike witches in the dark. Presently she heard the music of the fandango.
Another picture framed itself before her vision. Excited faces roundher. A sudden stoppage of the music, a frocked priest making anxiousinquiries. Her own wild words; a jingle of spurs. Then many hoofspounding on the road beside her.
She never knew just what had happened, what she had said. But now shefelt the sting of the bay breeze in her face and Antonio's steady handupon her saddle pommel.
"Caramba!" he was muttering. "The pig of a gringo once more. And yourfather; the little Benito. Hurry, comrades, faster! faster! Tothe rescue!"
Came a third picture, finally more clear, more disconcerting. Theentrance to her father's ranch barred by armed riders. McTurpin smilinginsolent in the moonlight, bowing to her while Antonio muttered insuppressed wrath.
"We have three hostages here, senorita ... relatives of yours and ah--afriend." His voice, cold, threatening, spoke on. "They areunharmed--as yet."
"I don't believe you," Inez stormed at him.
"Tell them, Senor Windham," said McTurpin, "that I speak the truth."
"Inez, it is true," her father spoke out
of some shadowed darkness. "Wewere ambushed. Taken by surprise."
"What do you propose?" asked Antonio, unable longer to restrain himself.
"To turn them loose ... upon their word not to trouble us further,"said McTurpin. "I have merely assumed control of my property. I hold theconveyance of Benito Windham. It is all quite regular," helaughed shortly.
Antonio moved uneasily. His hand upon the lariat itched for a cast.McTurpin saw it. "You'll do well to sit still in the saddle," hereminded, "all of you. We have you covered."
"What are your orders, master?" said the chief vaquero tensely. "Say theword and we will--"
"No," commanded Windham. "There shall be no fighting now. We will go.Tomorrow we shall visit the Alcalde. I can promise no more than this."
"It's enough," McTurpin answered. "I've possession. I've a deed withyour son's signature. And a dozen good friends to uphold me." He turned."Take their pistols, friends, and let them go."
* * * * *
George Hyde looked up from a sheaf of drawing which lay on the tablebefore him and which represented the new survey of San Francisco. A boywith a bundle of papers under his arm entered unannounced, tossed a copyof "The California Star" toward him and departed. Hyde picked it upand read:
"GREAT SALE OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE IN THE TOWN OF SAN FRANCISCO, UPPER CALIFORNIA.
"By the following decree of His Excellency, General S.W. Kearny, Governor of California, all the right, title and interest of the United States and of the territory of California to the BEACH AND WATER lots on the east front of the town of San Francisco have been granted, conveyed and released to the people or corporate authorities of said town--"
Hyde read on. There was a post-script by Edwin Bryant, his predecessoras alcalde, calling a public sale for June 29. That was rather soon.But he would see. Hyde had an antipathy to any rule or circumstancefixed by another. His enemies called him "pig-headed"; his friends"forceful," though with a sigh. There was something highhanded in thelook and manner of him, though few men had better intent. Now his glancefell on another, smaller item in the newspaper.
"SYDNEY DUCKS ARRIVE."
"In recent vessels from the antipodes have come numerous men from Australia who, according to rumor, are deported English criminals, known as 'Sydney Ducks.' It is said that the English government winks at the escape of these birds of ill omen, who are lured hither by tales of our lawlessness carried by sailormen. It is high time we had a little more law in San Francisco."
That was another of his problems, Hyde reflected irritably. "SydneyDucks." There would be many more no doubt, for San Francisco wasgrowing. It had 500 citizens, irrespective of the New York volunteers;157 buildings. He would need helpers in the task of city-governing. Halfidly he jotted down the names of men that would prove good henchmen:
"William A. Leidesdorff, Robert A. Parker, Jose P. Thompson, PedroSherreback, John Rose, Benjamin Buckalew."
It had a cosmopolitan smack, though it ignored some prominent andcapable San Franciscans. William Clark, for instance, with whomWashington Bartlett had quarreled over town lots, Dr. Elbert Jones andWilliam Howard. Hyde was not certain whether they would be amenable tohis program. Well, he would see.
A shadow loomed in his doorway. He looked up to see Adrian Stanley andRobert Windham.
"Come in. Come in." He tried to speak cordially, but there was a shadeof irritation in his tone. They, too, were a problem.
"Be seated," he invited, as the two men entered. But they stood beforehim rather stiffly.
"Is there any--news?" asked Adrian.
"Nothing favorable," said Hyde uneasily. He made an impatient gesture."You can see for yourselves, gentlemen, that my hands are tied. Theman--what's-his-name?--McTurpin, has a perfectly correct conveyancesigned by your son. Benito, I understand, does not deny his signature.And his right is unquestioned, for the property came to him direct fromhis uncle, who was Francisco Garvez' only son."
"But--" began Adrian hotly.
"Yes, yes, I know," Hyde interrupted. "The man is a rascal. But what ofthat? It does not help us; I have no power to aid you, gentlemen."
CHAPTER XIV
THE AUCTION ON THE BEACH
It was the morning of July 20. Fog drifts rode the bay like huge whiteswans, shrouding the Island of Alcatraz with a rise and fall ofimpalpable wings and casting many a whilom plume over the tents andadobe houses nestling between sandhills and scrub-oaks in the cove ofSan Francisco.
Robert and Benito Windham, on the hill above Clark's Point, looked downtoward the beach, where a crowd was gathering for the auction oftidewater lots. The Windhams, since their dispossession by McTurpin, hadbeen guests of hospitable Juana Briones. Through the Alcalde's orderthey had secured their personal effects. But the former gambler stillheld right and title to the Windham acres. Adrian Stanley made his homeat the City Hotel and had been occupied with an impromptu school wheresome four score children and half a dozen illiterates were daily taughtthe mysteries of the "Three Rs."
"Adrian has determined to buy some of these mud-lots," said Windham tohis son. "He believes some day they will be valuable and that he willmake his fortune." He sighed. "I fear my son-to-be is something of avisionary."
Benito gave his father a quick, almost furtive glance. "Do not condemnhim for that," he said, with a hint of reproach. "Adrian is far-sighted,yes; but not a dreamer."
"What can he do with a square of bog that is covered half of the time bywater?" asked Windham.
"Ah," Benito said, "we've talked that over, Adrian and I. Adrian has aplan of reclamation. An engineering project for leveling sandhills bycontract and using the waste to cover his land. He has already arrangedfor ox-teams and wagons. It is perfectly feasible, my father."
Robert Windham smiled at the other's enthusiasm. "Perhaps you areright," he said. "God grant it--and justify your faith in that huddle ofhuts below."
Below them a man had mounted an improvised platform. He was waving hisarms, haranguing an ever-growing audience. Benito stirred uneasily. "Imust go," he said. "I promised Adrian to join him."
"Very well," returned his father. He watched the slight and supplefigure riding down the slope.
Slowly he made his way back to the Rancho Briones. His wife met him atthe gate.
"Juana and Inez have gone to the sale," she announced. "Shall we jointhem in the pueblo later on?"
"Nay, Anita," he said, "unless you wish it.... I have no faith in mire."
She looked up at him anxiously. "Roberto! I grieve to hear it. They--"she checked herself.
"They--what, my love?" he asked curiously.
"They have gone to buy," said Anita. "Juana has great faith. She hasconsiderable money. And Inez has taken her jewels--even a few of mine.The Senor O'Farrell whispered to her at the ball that the lots wouldsell for little and their value would increase immensely."
"So, that is why Benito has his silver-mounted harness," Windham spokehalf to himself. He smiled a little ruefully. "You are all gamblers,dreamers.... You dear ones of Spanish heritage."
* * * * *
On the beach a strangely varied human herd pressed close around aplatform upon which stood Samuel Brannan and Alcalde Hyde. The formerhad promised to act as auctioneer and looked over a sheaf of notes whileHyde in his dry, precise and positive tone read the details of theforthcoming sale. It would last three days, Hyde informed his hearers,and 450 lots would be sold. North of the broad street paralleling theMission Camino lots were sixteen and a half varas wide and fifty varasdeep. All were between the limits of low and high water mark.
"What's a vara?" shouted a new arrival.
"A Spanish yard," explained Hyde, "about thirty-three and a third inchesof English measure. Gentlemen, you are required to fence your lots andbuild a house within a year. The fees for recording and deed will be$3.62, and the terms of payment are a fourth down, the balance in equalpayments du
ring a period of eighteen months."
"How about the lots that lie south?" cried a voice.
"They are one hundred varas square, same terms, same fees," repliedHyde. He stepped down and Brannan began his address.
"The site of San Francisco is known to all navigators and mercantile mento be the most commanding commercial position on the entire easterncoast of the Pacific Ocean," he shouted, quoting from former AlcaldeBryant's announcement of three months previous. "The town itself isdestined to become the commercial emporium of western America."
"Bravo!" supplemented the Dona Briones, waving her fan. She was thecenter of a little group composed of Benito and Inez Windham, AdrianStanley and Nathan Spear. Near them, keeping out of their observance,stood Aleck McTurpin.
"The property offered for sale is the most valuable in or belonging tothe town," Brannan went on, enthusiastically; "it will require work tomake it tenable. You'll have to wrest it from the waves, gentlemen ...and ladies," he bowed to Juana and her companion, "but, take my word forit--and I've never deceived you--everyone who buys will bless my memoryhalf a dozen years from now...."
"Why don't ye get in yerself and practice what ye preach?" cried ascoffing sailor.
Brannan looked him up and down. "Because I'm trying to serve thecommonwealth--which is more than a drunken deserter from his ship canclaim," he shot back hotly, "but I'm going to buy my share, never fear.Bill Leidesdorff's my agent. He has $5,000 and my power of attorney.That's fair enough, isn't it boys? Or, shall we let the sailor act asauctioneer?"
Port O' Gold Page 6