第3章

类别:其他 作者:Bret Harte字数:17389更新时间:19/01/04 15:19:00
Winterpassed,andthesummercameThetrunksofmadrono,allaflame,HereandtherethroughtheunderwoodLikepillarsoffirestarklystood。 AllofthebreezysolitudeWasfilledwiththespicingofpineandbayAndresinousodorsmixedandblended; Anddimandghostlike,faraway,Thesmokeoftheburningwoodsascended。 Thenofasuddenthemountainsswam,Theriverspiledtheirfloodsinadam,TheridgeaboveLosGatosCreekArcheditsspineinafelinefashion; Theforestswaltzedtilltheygrewsick,AndNatureshookinaspeechlesspassion; And,swallowedupintheearthquake’sspleen,ThewonderfulSpringofSanJoaquinVanished,andnevermorewasseen! Twodayspassed:theMissionfolkOutoftheirrosydreamawoke; Someofthemlookedatriflewhite,Butthat,nodoubt,wasfromearthquakefright。 Threedays:therewassoredistress,Headache,nausea,giddiness。 Fourdays:faintings,tendernessOfthemouthandfauces;andinlessThanoneweek——herethestorycloses; Wewon’tcontinuetheprognosis—— EnoughthatnownotraceisseenOfSpringorMissionofSanJoaquin。 MORAL Youseethepoint?Don’tbetooquickTobreakbadhabits:betterstick,LiketheMissionfolk,toyourARSENIC。 THEANGELUS (HEARDATTHEMISSIONDOLORES,1868) BellsofthePast,whoselong-forgottenmusicStillfillsthewideexpanse,TingeingthesobertwilightofthePresentWithcolorofromance! Ihearyourcall,andseethesundescendingOnrockandwaveandsand,AsdownthecoasttheMissionvoices,blending,Girdletheheathenland。 WithinthecircleofyourincantationNoblightnormildewfalls; Norfierceunrest,norlust,norlowambitionPassesthoseairywalls。 Borneontheswellofyourlongwavesreceding,ItouchthefartherPast; IseethedyingglowofSpanishglory,Thesunsetdreamandlast! Beforemerisethedome-shapedMissiontowers,ThewhitePresidio; Theswartcommanderinhisleathernjerkin,Thepriestinstoleofsnow。 OncemoreIseePortala’scrossupliftingAbovethesettingsun; Andpasttheheadland,northward,slowlydrifting,Thefreightedgalleon。 Osolemnbells!whoseconsecratedmassesRecallthefaithofold; Otinklingbells!thatlulledwithtwilightmusicThespiritualfold! Yourvoicesbreakandfalterinthedarkness,—— Break,falter,andarestill; Andveiledandmystic,liketheHostdescending,Thesunsinksfromthehill! CONCEPCIONDEARGUELLO (PRESIDIODESANFRANCISCO,1800) I Lookingseaward,o’erthesand-hillsstandsthefortress,oldandquaint,BytheSanFranciscofriarsliftedtotheirpatronsaint,—— Sponsortothatwondrouscity,nowapostatetothecreed,OnwhoseyouthfulwallsthePadresawtheangel’sgoldenreed; Allitstrophieslongsincescattered,allitsblazonbrushedaway; Andtheflagthatfliesaboveitbutatriumphofto-day。 Neverscarofsiegeorbattlechallengesthewanderingeye,Neverbreachofwarlikeonsetholdsthecuriouspasser-by; OnlyonesweethumanfancyinterweavesitsthreadsofgoldWiththeplainandhomespunpresent,andalovethatne’ergrowsold; Onlyonethingholdsitscrumblingwallsabovethemeanerdust,—— Listentothesimplestoryofawoman’sloveandtrust。 II CountvonResanoff,theRussian,envoyofthemightyCzar,Stoodbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare。 HewithgraveprovincialmagnateslonghadheldserenedebateOntheTreatyofAllianceandthehighaffairsofstate; HefromgraveprovincialmagnatesofthadturnedtotalkapartWiththeCommandante’sdaughteronthequestionsoftheheart,Untilpointsofgravestimportyieldedslowlyonebyone,AndbyLovewasconsummatedwhatDiplomacybegun; Tillbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,HereceivedthetwofoldcontractforapprovaloftheCzar; Tillbesidethebrazencannonthebetrothedbadeadieu,AndfromsallyportandgatewaynorththeRussianeaglesflew。 III Longbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,DidtheywaitthepromisedbridegroomandtheansweroftheCzar; Daybydayonwallandbastionbeatthehollow,emptybreeze,—— Daybydaythesunlightglitteredonthevacant,smilingseas: Weekbyweekthenearhillswhitenedintheirdustyleathercloaks,—— Weekbyweekthefarhillsdarkenedfromthefringingplainofoaks; Tilltherainscame,andfarbreaking,onthefiercesouthwestertost,Dashedthewholelongcoastwithcolor,andthenvanishedandwerelost。 Soeachyeartheseasonsshifted,——wetandwarmanddrearanddryHalfayearofcloudsandflowers,halfayearofdustandsky。 Stillitbroughtnoshipnormessage,——broughtnotidings,illormeet,ForthestatesmanlikeCommander,forthedaughterfairandsweet。 Yetsheheardthevaryingmessage,voicelesstoallearsbeside: \"Hewillcome,\"theflowerswhispered;\"Comenomore,\"thedryhillssighed。 Stillshefoundhimwiththewatersliftedbythemorningbreeze,—— Stillshelosthimwiththefoldingofthegreatwhite-tentedseas; Untilhollowschasedthedimplesfromhercheeksofolivebrown,Andattimesaswift,shymoisturedraggedthelongsweetlashesdown; Orthesmallmouthcurvedandquiveredasforsomedeniedcaress,Andthefairyoungbrowwasknittedinaninfantinedistress。 ThenthegrimCommander,pacingwherethebrazencannonare,Comfortedthemaidwithproverbs,wisdomgatheredfromafar; Bitsofancientobservationbyhisfathersgarnered,eachAsapebblewornandpolishedinthecurrentofhisspeech: \"’Thosewhowaitthecomingridertraveltwiceasfarashe;’ ’Tiredwenchandcomingbutterneverdidintimeagree;’ \"’Hethatgettethhimselfhoney,thoughaclown,heshallhaveflies;’ ’IntheendGodgrindsthemiller;’’Inthedarkthemolehaseyes;’ \"’HewhosefatherisAlcaldeofhistrialhathnofear,’—— AndbesuretheCounthasreasonsthatwillmakehisconductclear。\" Thenthevoicesententiousfaltered,andthewisdomitwouldteachLostitselfinfondesttriflesofhissoftCastilianspeech; Andon\"Concha\"\"Conchitita,\"and\"Conchita\"hewoulddwellWiththefondreiterationwhichtheSpaniardknowssowell。 Sowithproverbsandcaresses,halfinfaithandhalfindoubt,Everydaysomehopewaskindled,flickered,faded,andwentout。 IV Yearly,downthehillsidesweeping,camethestatelycavalcade,Bringingreveltovaquero,joyandcomforttoeachmaid; Bringingdaysofformalvisit,socialfeastandrusticsport,Ofbull-baitingontheplaza,oflove-makinginthecourt。 VainlythenatConcha’slattice,vainlyastheidlewind,RosethethinhighSpanishtenorthatbespoketheyouthtookind; Vainly,leaningfromtheirsaddles,caballeros,boldandfleet,Pluckedforhertheburiedchickenfrombeneaththeirmustang’sfeet; Soinvainthebarrenhillsideswiththeirgayserapesblazed,—— Blazedandvanishedinthedust-cloudthattheirflyinghoofshadraised。 Thenthedrumcalledfromtherampart,andoncemore,withpatientmien,TheCommanderandhisdaughtereachtookupthedullroutine,—— Eachtookupthepettydutiesofalifeapartandlone,Tilltheslowyearswroughtamusicinitsdrearymonotone。 V Fortyyearsonwallandbastionsweptthehollowidlebreeze,SincetheRussianeagleflutteredfromtheCaliforniaseas; Fortyyearsonwallandbastionwroughtitsslowbutsuredecay,AndSt。George’scrosswasliftedintheportofMonterey; Andthecitadelwaslighted,andthehallwasgaylydrest,AlltohonorSirGeorgeSimpson,famoustravelerandguest。 Farandnearthepeoplegatheredtothecostlybanquetset,AndexchangedcongratulationswiththeEnglishbaronet; Till,theformalspeechesended,andamidstthelaughandwine,SomeonespokeofConcha’slover,——heedlessofthewarningsign。 QuicklythencriedSirGeorgeSimpson:\"Speaknoillofhim,Ipray! Heisdead。Hedied,poorfellow,fortyyearsagothisday,—— \"DiedwhilespeedinghometoRussia,fallingfromafractioushorse。 Leftasweetheart,too,theytellme。Married,Isuppose,ofcourse! \"Livessheyet?\"Adeathlikesilencefellonbanquet,guests,andhall,Andatremblingfigurerisingfixedtheawestruckgazeofall。 Twoblackeyesindarkenedorbitsgleamedbeneaththenun’swhitehood; Blacksergehidthewastedfigure,bowedandstrickenwhereitstood。 \"Livessheyet?\"SirGeorgerepeated。AllwerehushedasConchadrewCloseryethernun’sattire。\"Senor,pardon,shedied,too!\" \"FORTHEKING\" (NORTHERNMEXICO,1640) AsyoulookfromtheplazaatLeonwestYoucanseeherhouse,buttheviewisbestFromtheporchofthechurchwheresheliesatrest; Wheremuchofherpaststilllives,Ithink,InthescowlingbrowsandsidelongblinkOftheworshipingthrongthatriseorsinkTothewaxensaintsthat,yellowandlank,Leanoutfromtheirniches,rankonrank,WithabloodlessSaviouroneitherflank; Inthegoutypillars,whosecracksbeginToshowtheadobecorewithin,—— Asoulofearthinawhitewashedskin。 AndIthinkthatthemoralofall,you’llsay,IsthesculpturedlegendthatmouldsawayOnatombinthechoir:\"PorelRey。\" \"PorelRey!\"Well,thekingisgoneAgesago,andtheHapsburgoneShot——buttheRockoftheChurchliveson。 \"PorelRey!\"Whatmatters,indeed,IfkingorpresidentsucceedToacountryhaggardwithslothandgreed,Aslongasonegranaryisfat,Andyonderpriest,inashovelhat,Peepsoutfromthebinlikeasleekbrownrat? Whatmatters?Naught,ifitservestobringThelegendnearer,——nootherthing,—— We’llsparethemoral,\"Livetheking!\" Twohundredyearsago,theysay,TheViceroy,MarquisofMonte-Rey,Rodewithhisretinuethatway: Grave,asbefittedSpain’sgrandee; Grave,asthesubstituteshouldbeOfHisMostCatholicMajesty; Yet,fromhisblackplume’scurvinggraceTohisslimblackgauntlet’ssmallerspace,Exquisiteasapieceoflace! Twohundredyearsago——e’enso—— TheMarquisstoppedwherethelime-treesblow,WhileLeon’sseneschalbenthimlow,AndbeggedthattheMarquiswouldthatnighttakeHishumblerooffortheroyalsake,Andthen,asthecustomdemanded,spakeTheusualwish,thathisguestwouldholdThehouse,andallthatitmightenfold,Ashis——withthebridescarcethreedaysold。 BesurethattheMarquis,inhisplace,RepliedtoallwiththemeasuredgraceOfchosenspeechandunmovedface; NorraisedhisheadtillhisblackplumesweptThehemofthelady’srobe,whokeptHerplace,asherhusbandbackwardstept。 Andthen(Iknownothownorwhy) Asubtleflameinthelady’seye—— Unseenbythecourtiersstandingby—— Burnedthroughhislaceandtitledwreath,Burnedthroughhisbody’sjeweledsheath,Tillittouchedthesteelofthemanbeneath! (Andyet,mayhap,nomorewasmeantThantopointawell-worncompliment,Andthelady’sbeauty,herworstintent。) Howbeit,theMarquisbowedagain: \"WhoruleswithawewellservethSpain,Butbestwhoselawislovemadeplain。\" BesurethatnightnopillowprestTheseneschal,butwiththerestWatched,aswasduearoyalguest,—— WatchedfromthewalltillhesawthesquareFillwiththemoonlight,whiteandbare,—— WatchedtillhesawtwoshadowsfareOutfromhisgarden,wheretheshadeThattheoldchurchtowerandbelfrymadeLikeabenedictoryhandwaslaid。 FewwordsspoketheseneschalasheturnedTohisnearestsentry:\"ThesemonkshavelearnedThatstolenfruitissweetlyearned。 \"MyselfshallpunishyonacolyteWhogathersmygardengrapesbynight; Meanwhile,waitthoutillthemorninglight。\" YetnottillthesunwasridinghighDidthesentrymeethiscommander’seye,NorthentilltheViceroystoodby。 TotheloversofgraveformalitiesNogreetingwaseversofine,Iwis,Asthishost’sandguest’shighcourtesies! Theseneschalfeared,asthewindwaswest,AblastfromMorenahadchilledhisrest; TheViceroylanguidlyconfestThatcaresofstate,and——hedaredtosay—— SomefearsthattheKingcouldnotrepayThethoughtfulzealofhishost,somewayHadmarredhisrest。YethetrustedmuchNonesharedhiswakefulness;thoughsuchIndeedmightbe!IfhedaredtotouchAthemesofine——thebride,perchance,Stillslept!Atleast,theymissedherglanceTogivethisgreetingcountenance。 Besurethattheseneschal,inturn,WasdeeplybowedwiththegraveconcernOfthepainfulnewshisguestshouldlearn: \"Lastnight,toherfather’sdyingbedByapriestwastheladysummoned; Norknowweyethowwellshesped,\"Buthopeforthebest。\"ThegraveViceroy(Thoughgrievedhisvisithadsuchalloy) MuststillwishtheseneschalgreatjoyOfabridesotruetoherfilialtrust! Yetnow,asthedaywaxedon,theymustTohorse,ifthey’d’scapethenoondaydust。 \"Nay,\"saidtheseneschal,\"atleast,Tomendthenewsofthisfuneralpriest,Myselfshallrideasyourescorteast。\" TheViceroybowed。ThenturnedasideTohisnearestfollower:\"Withmeride—— YouandFelipe——oneitherside。 \"Andlist!Shouldanythingmebefall,Mischanceofambushormusket-ball,Cleavetohissaddleyonseneschal! \"Nomore。\"ThengravelyinaccentsclearTookformalleaveofhislategoodcheer; Whilestheseneschalwhisperedamusketeer,Carelesslystrokinghispommeltop: \"Iffromthesaddleyeseemedrop,Riddlemequicklyyonsolemnfop!\" Sothese,withmanyacompliment,Eachonhisowndarkthoughtintent,Withgravepolitenessonwardwent,Ridinghigh,andinsightofall,Viceroy,escort,andseneschal,UndertheshadeoftheAlmandral; Holdingtheirsecrethardandfast,SilentandgravetheyrideatlastIntothedustytraveledPast。 EvenlikethistheypassedawayTwohundredyearsagoto-day。 Whatofthelady?Whoshallsay? DothesoulsofthedyingeveryearnTosomefavoredspotforthedust’sreturn,Forthehomelypeaceofthefamilyurn? Iknownot。Yetdidtheseneschal,Chancinginafter-yearstofallPiercedbyaFlemishmusket-ball,Calltohissideatrustyfriar,Andbidhimswear,ashislastdesire,TobearhiscorsetoSanPedro’schoirAtLeon,where’neathashieldazureShouldhismortalframefindsepulture: Thismuch,forthepainsChristdidendure。 BesurethatthefriarloyallyFulfilledhistrustbylandandsea,TillthespiresofLeonsilentlyRosethroughthegreenoftheAlmandral,AsiftobeckontheseneschalTohiskindreddust’neaththechoirwall。 IwotthatthesaintsoneithersideLeanedfromtheirnichesopen-eyedToseethedoorsofthechurchswingwide; ThatthewoundsoftheSaviouroneitherflankBledfresh,asthemourners,rankbyrank,Wentbywiththecoffin,clankonclank。 Forwhy?WhentheyraisedthemarbledoorOfthetomb,untouchedforyearsbefore,Thefriarswoonedonthechoirfloor; Forthere,inherlacesandfestaldress,Laythedeadman’swife,herlovelinessScarcelychangedbyherlongduress,—— Asonthenightshehadpassedaway; Onlythatnearheradaggerlay,Withthewrittenlegend,\"PorelRey。\" Whatwastheirgreeting,thegroomandbride,Theywhomthatsteelandtheyearsdivide? Iknownot。Heretheyliesidebyside。 Sidebyside!Thoughthekinghashisway,Eventhedeadatlasthavetheirday。 Makeyouthemoral。\"PorelRey!\" RAMON (REFUGIOMINE,NORTHERNMEXICO) Drunkandsenselessinhisplace,Proneandsprawlingonhisface,MorelikebrutethananymanAliveordead,Byhisgreatpumpoutofgear,Laythepeonengineer,Wakingonlyjusttohear,Overhead,Angrytonesthatcalledhisname,Oathsandcriesofbitterblame,—— Woketohearallthis,and,waking,turnedandfled! \"Tothemanwho’llbringtome,\" CriedIntendantHarryLee,—— HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,—— \"Bringthesotaliveordead,Iwillgivetohim,\"hesaid,\"Fifteenhundredpesosdown,Justtosettherascal’scrownUnderneaththisheelofmine: SincebutdeathDeservesthemanwhosedeed,Beitviceorwantofheed,Stopsthepumpsthatgiveusbreath,—— StopsthepumpsthatsuckthedeathFromthepoisonedlowerlevelsofthemine!\" Nooneanswered;foracryFromtheshaftroseuponhigh,Andshuffling,scrambling,tumblingfrombelow,Cametheminerseach,thebolderMountingontheweaker’sshoulder,Grappling,clingingtotheirholdorLettinggo,AstheweakergaspedandfellFromtheladdertothewell,—— TothepoisonedpitofhellDownbelow! \"Tothemanwhosetsthemfree,\" Criedtheforeman,HarryLee,—— HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,—— \"Bringsthemoutandsetsthemfree,Iwillgivethatman,\"saidhe,\"Twicethatsum,whowitharopeFacetofacewithDeathshallcope。 Lethimcomewhodarestohope!\" \"Holdyourpeace!\"someonereplied,Standingbytheforeman’sside; \"Therehasonealreadygone,whoe’erhebe!\" Thentheyheldtheirbreathwithawe,Pullingontherope,andsawFaintingfiguresreappear,Ontheblackropeswingingclear,Fastenedbysomeskillfulhandfrombelow; Tillascorethelevelgained,Andbutonealoneremained,—— Hetheheroandthelast,HewhoseskillfulhandmadefastThelonglinethatbroughtthembacktohopeandcheer! Haggard,gasping,downdroppedheAtthefeetofHarryLee,—— HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine。 \"Ihavecome,\"hegasped,\"toclaimBothrewards。Senor,mynameIsRamon! I’mthedrunkenengineer,I’mthecoward,Senor\"——HereHefellover,bythatsign,Deadasstone! DONDIEGOOFTHESOUTH (REFECTORY,MISSIONSANGABRIEL,1869) Good!——saidthePadre,——believemestill,\"DonGiovanni,\"orwhatyouwill,Thetype’seternal!WeknewhimhereAsDonDiegodelSud。IfearThestory’snonewone!Willyouhear? Oneofthosespiritsyoucan’ttellwhyGodhaspermitted。ThereinI Havetheadvantage,forIholdThatwolvesaresenttothepurestfold,Andwe’dsavethewolfifwe’dgetthelamb。 You’renobeliever?Good!Iam。 Well,forsomepurpose,Igrantyoudim,TheDonlovedwomen,andtheylovedhim。 EachthoughtherselfhisLASTlove!Worst,ManybelievedthattheywerehisFIRST! And,sucharethesecreaturessincetheFall,Theverydoubthadacharmforall! Youlaugh!Youareyoung,butI——indeedIhavenopatience……Toproceed:—— Yousaw,asyoupassedthroughtheuppertown,TheEucinalwheretheroadgoesdownToSanFelipe!ThereonemornTheyfoundDiego,——hismantletorn,Andasmanyholesthroughhisdoublet’sbandAstherewerewrongedhusbands——youunderstand! \"Dying,\"sosaidthegossips。\"Dead\" Waswhatthefriarswhofoundhimsaid。 Maybe。Quiensabe?Whoelseshouldknow? Itwasahundredyearsago。 Therewasafuneral。Smallindeed—— Private。Whatwouldyou?Toproceed:—— Scarcelytheyearhadflown。OnenightTheCommandanteawokeinfright,Hearingbelowhiscasement’sbarThewell-knowntwangoftheDon’sguitar; Andrushedtothewindow,justtoseeHiswifea-swoononthebalcony。 Oneweeklater,DonJuanRamirezFoundhisowndaughter,theDonaInez,Paleasaghost,leaningouttohearThesongofthatphantomcavalier。 EvenAlcaldePedroBlasSaw,itwassaid,throughhisniece’sglass,TheshadeofDiegotwicerepass。 WhatthesegentlemeneachconfessedHeavenandtheChurchonlyknows。AtbestThecasewasabadone。HowtodealWithSinasaGhost,theycouldn’tbutfeelWasanawfulthing。TillacertainFrayHumblyofferedtoshowtheway。 Andthewaywasthis。DidIsaybeforeThattheFraywasastranger?No,Senor? Strange!verystrange!IshouldhavesaidThattheveryweekthattheDonlaydeadHecameamongus。BreadhebrokeSilent,norevertoonehespoke。 Sohehadvowedit!BelowhisbrowsHisfacewashidden。Therearesuchvows! Strange!aretheynot?YoudonotuseSnuff?Abadhabit! Well,theviewsOftheFraywerethese:thatthepenancedoneBythecaballeroswasright;butoneWasduefromtheCAUSE,andthat,inbrief,WasDonaDoloresGomez,chief,AndInez,Sanchicha,Concepcion,AndCarmen,——well,halfthegirlsintownOnhistabletstheFriarhadwrittendown。 TheseweretocomeonacertaindayAndaskatthehandsofthepiousFrayForabsolution。Thatdone,smallfearButtheshadeofDiegowoulddisappear。 Theycame;eachkneltinherturnandplaceTothepiousFraywithhishiddenfaceAndvoicelesslips,andeachagainTookbackhersoulfreedfromspotorstain,TilltheDonaInez,witheyesdowncastAndatearontheirfringes,kneltherlast。 Andthen——perhapsthathervoicewaslowFromfearorfromshame——themonkssaidso—— ButtheFrayleanedforward,when,presto!allWerethrilledbyascream,andsawherfallFaintingbesidetheconfessional。 AndsowastheghostofDiegolaidAstheFrayhadsaid。NevermorehisshadeWasseenatSanGabriel’sMission。Eh! Thegirlinterestsyou?Idaresay! \"Nothing,\"saidshe,whentheybroughtherto—— \"Onlyafaintness!\"TheyspokemoretrueWhosaid’twasastubbornsoul。Butthen—— Womenarewomen,andmenaremen! So,toreturn。AsIsaidbefore,Havinggotthewolf,bythesamehighlawWesavedthelambinthewolf’sownjaw,Andthat’smymoral。Thetale,Ifear,Butpoorlytold。YetitstrikesmehereIsstuffforamoral。What’syourview? Yousmile,DonPancho。Ah!that’slikeyou! ATTHEHACIENDA KnowInotwhomthoumaystbeCarveduponthisolive-tree,—— \"ManuelaofLaTorre,\"—— ForaroundonbrokenwallsSummersunandspringrainfalls,Andinvainthelowwindcalls\"ManuelaofLaTorre。\" OfthatsongnowordsremainButthemusicalrefrain,—— \"ManuelaofLaTorre。\" Yetatnight,whenwindsarestill,TinklesonthedistanthillAguitar,andwordsthatthrillTelltometheold,oldstory,—— Oldwhenfirstthycharmsweresung,Oldwhentheseoldwallswereyoung,\"ManuelaofLaTorre。\" FRIARPEDRO’SRIDE Itwasthemorningseasonoftheyear; Itwasthemorningeraoftheland; Thewatercoursesrangfullloudandclear; Portala’scrossstoodwherePortala’shandHadplanteditwhenFaithwastaughtbyFear,WhenmonksandmissionsheldthesolecommandOfallthatshorebesidethepeacefulsea,Wherespring-tidesbeattheirlong-drawnreveille。 OutofthemissionofSanLuisRey,Allinthatbrisk,tumultuousspringweather,RodeFriarPedro,inapiousway,Withsixdragoonsincuirassesofleather,Eacharmedalikeforeitherprayerorfray; Handcuffsandmissalstheyhadslungtogether,AndasanaidthegospeltruthtoscatterEachswungalasso——aliasa\"riata。\" Insooth,thatyeartheharvesthadbeenslack,Thecropofconvertsscarceworthcomputation; Somesoulswerelost,whoseownershadturnedbackTosavetheirbodiesfrequentflagellation; Andsomepreferredthesongsofbirds,alack! ToLatinmatinsandtheirsouls’salvation,AndthoughttheirownwildwhoopingswerelessdrearyThanFatherPedro’sdroningmiserere。 Tobringthembacktomatinsandtoprime,Topiousworksandsecularsubmission,Toprovetothemthatlibertywascrime,—— Thiswas,infact,thePadre’spresentmission; Togetnewsoulsperchanceatthesametime,Andbringthemtoa\"senseoftheircondition,\"—— Thateasyphrase,which,inthepastandpresent,Meansmakingthatconditionmostunpleasant。 Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow; Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill; Hesawthegopherworkinginhisburrow; Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:—— Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubtathoroughAnddeepconvictionofGod’sgoodness;stillHefailedtoseethatinHisgloryHeYetleftthehumblestofHiscreaturesfree。 Hesawtheflappingcrow,whosefrequentnoteVoicedthemonotonyoflandandsky,MockingwithgracelesswingandrustycoatHispriestlypresenceashetrottedby。 Hewouldhavecursedthebirdbybellandrote,Butothergamejustthenwasinhiseye,—— Asavagecamp,whoseoccupantspreferredTheirheathendarknesstothelivingWord。 Heranghisbell,andatthemartialsoundTwelvesilverspurstheirjinglingrowelsclashed; SixhorsessprangacrossthelevelgroundAssixdragoonsinopenorderdashed; Abovetheirheadsthelassoscircledround,Ineveryeyeapiousfervorflashed; Theychargedthecamp,andinonemomentmoreTheylassoedsixandreconvertedfour。 TheFriarsawtheconflictfromaknoll,AndsangLausDeoandcheeredonhismen: \"Wellthrown,Bautista,——that’sanothersoul; Afterhim,Gomez,——tryitonceagain; Thisway,Felipe,——theretheheathenstole; BonesofSt。Francis!——surelythatmakesTEN; TeDeumlaudamus——butthey’reverywild; NonnobisDomine——allright,mychild!\" Whenatthatmoment——asthestorygoes—— Acertainsquaw,whohadherfoeseluded,RanpasttheFriar,justbeforehisnose。 Hestaredamoment,andinsilencebrooded; TheninhisbreastapiousfrenzyroseAndeveryotherprudentthoughtexcluded; Hecaughtalasso,anddashedinacanterAfterthatOccidentalAtalanta。 Higho’erhisheadheswirledthedreadfulnoose; But,asthepracticewasquiteunfamiliar,HisfirstcasttoreFelipe’scaptiveloose,AndalmostchokedTiburcioCamilla,Andmighthaveinterferedwiththatbraveyouth’sAbilitytogorgethetoughtortilla; Butallthingscomebypractice,andatlastHisflyingslip-knotcaughtthemaidenfast。 ThenroseabovetheplainamingledyellOfrageandtriumph,——ademoniacwhoop: ThePadrehearditlikeapassingknell,Andwouldhaveloosenedhisunchristianloop; Butthetoughraw-hideheldthecaptivewell,Andheld,alas!toowellthecaptor-dupe; Forwithoneboundthesavagefledamain,Dragginghorse,Friar,downthelonelyplain。 Downthearroyo,outacrossthemead,Byheathandhollow,spedtheflyingmaid,DraggingbehindherstillthepantingsteedAndhelplessFriar,whoinvainessayedTocutthelassoortocheckhisspeed。 Hefelthimselfbeyondallhumanaid,Andtrustedtothesaints,——and,forthatmatter,TosomeweakspotinFelipe’sriata。 Alas!thelassohadbeendulyblessed,And,likebaptism,heldtheflyingwretch,—— Adoctrinethatthepriesthadoftexpressed,Which,likethelasso,mightbemadetostretch,Butwouldnotbreak;soneithercoulddivestThemselvesofit,but,likesomeawfulfetch,TheholyFriarhadtorecognizeTheimageofhisfateinheathenguise。 Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow; Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill; Hesawthegopherstandinginhisburrow; Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:—— Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubthowthoroughThecontrastwastohiscondition;stillThesquawkeptonwardtothesea,tillnightAndthecoldsea-foghidthembothfromsight。 Themorningcameabovetheserriedcoast,Lightingthesnow-peakswithitsbeacon-fires,Drivingbeforeitallthefleet-wingedhostOfchatteringbirdsabovetheMissionspires,Fillingthelandwithlightandjoy,butmostThesavagewoodswithalltheirleafylyres; InpearlytintsandopalflameandfireThemorningcame,butnottheholyFriar。 Weekspassedaway。InvaintheFatherssoughtSometraceortokenthatmighttellhisstory; Somethoughthimdead,or,likeElijah,caughtUptotheheavensinablazeofglory。 InthissurmisesomemiracleswerewroughtOnhisaccount,andsoulsinpurgatoryWerethoughttoprofitfromhisintercession; Inbrief,hisabsencemadea\"deepimpression。\" Atwelvemonthpassed;thewelcomeSpringoncemoreMadegreenthehillsbesidethewhite-facedMission,Spreadherbrightdaisbythewesternshore,Andsatenthroned,amostresplendentvision。 TheheathenconvertsthrongedthechapeldoorAtmorningmass,when,saystheoldtradition,Afrightfulwhoopthroughoutthechurchresounded,Andtotheirfeetthecongregationbounded。 Atrampofhoofsuponthebeatencourse,Thencameasightthatmadethebravestquail: AphantomFriaronaspectrehorse,Draggedbyacreaturedeckedwithhornsandtail。 BytheloneMission,withthewhirlwind’sforce,Theymadlyswept,andleftasulphuroustrail: Andthatwasall,——enoughtotellthestory,Andleaveunblessedthosesoulsinpurgatory。 Andeverafter,onthatfataldayThatFriarPedrorodeabroadlassoing,AghostlycouplecameandwentawayWithsavagewhoopandheathenishhallooing,WhichbroughtdiscreditonSanLuisRey,AndprovedtheMission’sruinandundoing; Foreretenyearshadpassed,thesquawandFriarPerformedtoemptywallsandfallenspire。 TheMissionisnomore;uponitswall。 Thegoldenlizardsslip,orbreathlesspause,StillasthesunshinebrokenlythatfallsThroughcranniedroofandspider-websofgauze; Nomorethebellitssolemnwarningcalls,—— Aholiersilencethrillsandoverawes; Andthesharplightsandshadowsofto-dayOutlinetheMissionofSanLuisRey。 INTHEMISSIONGARDEN (1865) FATHERFELIPE IspeaknottheEnglishwell,butPachita,Shespeakforme;isitnotso,myPancha? Eh,littlerogue?Come,salutemethestrangerAmericano。 Sir,inmycountrywesay,\"Wheretheheartis,Therelivethespeech。\"Ah!younotunderstand?So! Pardonanoldman,——whatyoucall\"oldfogy,\"—— PadreFelipe! Old,Senor,old!justsooldastheMission。 Youseethatpear-tree?Howoldyouthink,Senor? Fifteenyear?Twenty?Ah,Senor,justfiftyGonesinceIplanthim! Youlikethewine?ItissomeattheMission,Madefromthegrapeoftheyeareighteenhundred; AllthesametimewhentheearthquakehecometoSanJuanBautista。 ButPanchaistwelve,andsheistherose-tree; AndIamtheolive,andthisisthegarden: And\"Pancha\"wesay,buthernameis\"Francisca,\" Samelikehermother。 Eh,youknewHER?No?Ah!itisastory; ButIspeaknot,likePachita,theEnglish: So!ifItry,youwillsitherebesideme,Andshallnotlaugh,eh? WhentheAmericancometotheMission,ManyarriveatthehouseofFrancisca: One,——hewasfineman,——hebuythecattleOfJoseCastro。 So!hecamemuch,andFrancisca,shesawhim: Anditwaslove,——andaverydryseason; Andthepearsbakeonthetree,——andtheraincome,ButnotFrancisca。 Notforoneyear;andonenightIhavewalkmuchUndertheolive-tree,whencomesFrancisca,—— Comestomehere,withherchild,thisFrancisca,—— Undertheolive-tree。 Sir,itwassad;……butIspeaknottheEnglish; So!……shestayhere,andshewaitforherhusband: Hecomenomore,andshesleeponthehillside; TherestandsPachita。 Ah!there’stheAngelus。Willyounotenter? OrshallyouwalkinthegardenwithPancha? Go,littlerogue——st!attendtothestranger! Adios,Senor。 PACHITA(briskly)。 So,he’sbeentellingthatyarnaboutmother! Blessyou!hetellsittoeverystranger: Folksaboutyersaytheoldman’smyfather; What’syouropinion? THELOSTGALLEON* Insixteenhundredandforty-one,Theregularyearlygalleon,Ladenwithodorousgumsandspice,IndiacottonsandIndiarice,AndtherichestsilksoffarCathay,WasdueatAcapulcoBay。 Dueshewas,andoverdue,—— Galleon,merchandiseandcrew,Creepingalongthroughrainandshine,Throughthetropics,undertheline。 Thetrainswerewaitingoutsidethewalls,Thewivesofsailorsthrongedthetown,Thetraderssatbytheiremptystalls,AndtheViceroyhimselfcamedown; Thebellsinthetowerwerealla-trip,TeDeumswereoneachFather’slip,ThelimeswereripeninginthesunForthesickofthecominggalleon。 Allinvain。Weekspassedaway,Andyetnogalleonsawthebay。 Indiagoodsadvancedinprice; TheGovernormissedhisfavoritespice; TheSenoritasmournedforsandalAndthefamouscottonsofCoromandel; Andsomeforanabsentloverlost,Andoneforahusband,——DonaJulia,Wifeofthecaptaintempest-tossed,Incircumstancessopeculiar; EventheFathers,unawares,Grumbledalittleattheirprayers; AndallalongthecoastthatyearVotivecandlesworescarceanddear。 NeveratearbedimstheeyeThattimeandpatiencewillnotdry; NeveralipiscurvedwithpainThatcan’tbekissedintosmilesagain; Andthesesametruths,asfarasIknow,ObtainedonthecoastofMexicoMorethantwohundredyearsago,Insixteenhundredandfifty-one,—— Tenyearsafterthedeedwasdone,—— Andfolkshadforgottenthegalleon: Thediversplungedinthegulfforpearls,WhiteastheteethoftheIndiangirls; Thetraderssatbytheirfullbazaars; Themuleswithmanyawearyload,Andoxendraggingtheircreakingcars,Cameandwentonthemountainroad。 Wherewasthegalleonallthiswhile? Wreckedonsomelonelycoralisle,Burntbytherovingsea-marauders,Orsailingnorthundersecretorders? HadshefoundtheAnianpassagefamed,BylyingMaldonadoclaimed,Andsailedthroughthesixty-fifthdegreeDirecttotheNorthAtlanticSea? Orhadshefoundthe\"RiverofKings,\" OfwhichDeFontetoldsuchstrangethings,Insixteenforty?Neverasign,Eastorwestorundertheline,Theysawofthemissinggalleon; NeverasailorplankorchipTheyfoundofthelong-losttreasure-ship,Orenoughtobuildataleupon。 Butwhenshewaslost,andwhereandhow,Arethefactswe’recomingtojustnow。 Take,ifyouplease,thechartofthatday,PublishedatMadrid,——porelRey; LookforaspotintheoldSouthSea,ThehundredandeightiethdegreeLongitudewestofMadrid:there,Undertheequatorialglare,Justwheretheeastandwestareone,You’llfindthemissinggalleon,—— You’llfindtheSanGregorio,yetRidingtheseas,withsailsallset,FreshasupontheverydayShesailedfromAcapulcoBay。 Howdidshegetthere?WhatstrangespellKepthertwohundredyearssowell,Freefromdecayandmortaltaint? Whatbuttheprayersofapatronsaint! AhundredleaguesfromManillatown,TheSanGregorio’shelmcamedown; Roundshewentonherheel,andnotAcable’slengthfromagalliotThatrockedonthewatersjustabreastOfthegalleon’scourse,whichwaswest-sou’-west。 Thensaidthegalleon’scommandante,GeneralPedroSobriente(Thatwashisrankonlandandmain,AregularcustomofOldSpain),\"Mypilotisdeadofscurvy:mayIaskthelongitude,time,andday?\" Thefirsttwogivenandcompared; Thethird——thecommandantestared! \"TheFIRSTofJune?Imakeitsecond。\" Saidthestranger,\"Thenyou’vewronglyreckoned; ImakeitFIRST:asyoucamethisway,Youshouldhavelost,d’yesee,aday; Lostaday,asplainlysee,Onthehundredandeightiethdegree。\" \"Lostaday?\"\"Yes;ifnotrude,Whendidyoumakeeastlongitude?\" \"OntheninthofMay,——ourpatron’sday。\" \"Ontheninth?——YOUHADNONINTHOFMAY! Eighthandtenthwasthere;butstay\"—— Toolate;forthegalleonboreaway。 Lostwasthedaytheyshouldhavekept,Lostunheededandlostunwept; Lostinawaythatmadesearchvain,Lostinatracklessandboundlessmain; LostlikethedayofJob’sawfulcurse,Inhisthirdchapter,thirdandfourthverse; Wreckedwastheirpatron’sonlyday,—— WhatwouldtheholyFatherssay? SaidtheFrayAntonioEstavan,Thegalleon’schaplain,——alearnedman,—— \"Nothingislostthatyoucanregain; Andthewaytolookforathingisplain,Togowhereyoulostit,backagain。 BackwithyourgalleontillyouseeThehundredandeightiethdegree。 Waittilltherollingyeargoesround,Andtherewillthemissingdaybefound; Foryou’llfind,ifcomputation’strue,ThatsailingEASTwillgivetoyouNotonlyoneninthofMay,buttwo,—— Oneforthegoodsaint’spresentcheer,Andoneforthedaywelostlastyear。\" Backtothespotsailedthegalleon; Where,foratwelvemonth,offandonThehundredandeightiethdegreeSheroseandfellonatropicsea。 Butlo!whenitcametotheninthofMay,AllofasuddenbecalmedshelayOnedegreefromthatfatalspot,Withoutthepowertomoveaknot; Andofcoursethemomentshelostherway,Gonewasherchancetosavethatday。 Tocutalengtheningstoryshort,Sheneversavedit。MadethesportOfevilspiritsandbafflingwind,Shewasalwaysbeforeorjustbehind,Onedaytoosoonoronedaytoolate,Andthesun,meanwhile,wouldneverwait。 ShehadtwoEighths,assheidlylay,TwoTenths,butneveraNINTHofMay; AndtheresheridesthroughtwohundredyearsOfdrearypenanceandanxiousfears; Yet,throughthegraceofthesaintsheserved,Captainandcrewarestillpreserved。 Byacomputationthatstillholdsgood,MadebytheHolyBrotherhood,TheSanGregoriowillcrossthatlineInnineteenhundredandthirty-nine: JustthreehundredyearstoadayFromthetimeshelosttheninthofMay。 AndthefolkinAcapulcotown,Overthewaterslookingdown,WillseeintheglowofthesettingsunThesailsofthemissinggalleon,AndtheroyalstandardofPhilipRey,Thegleamingmastandglisteningspar,Asshenearsthesurfoftheouterbar。 ATeDeumsungonhercrowdeddeck,Anodorofspicealongtheshore,Acrash,acryfromashatteredwreck,—— AndtheyearlygalleonsailsnomoreInoroutoftheoldenbay; Fortheblessedpatronhasfoundhisday。 ——————- Suchisthelegend。Hearthistruth: Overthetracklesspast,somewhere,Liethelostdaysofourtropicyouth,Onlyregainedbyfaithandprayer,Onlyrecalledbyprayerandplaint: Eachlostdayhasitspatronsaint! *Seenotesatend。 III。INDIALECT \"JIM\" Saythere!P’r’apsSomeonyouchapsMightknowJimWild? Well,——nooffense: Tharain’tnosenseIngittin’riled! JimwasmychumUpontheBar: That’swhyIcomeDownfromupyar,Lookin’forJim。 Thankye,sir!YOU Ain’tofthatcrew,—— Blestifyouare! Money?Notmuch: Thatain’tmykind; Iain’tnosuch。 Rum?Idon’tmind,Seein’it’syou。 Well,thisyerJim,—— Didyouknowhim? Jes’’boutyoursize; Samekindofeyes;—— Well,thatisstrange: Why,it’stwoyearSincehecamehere,Sick,forachange。 Well,here’stous: Eh? Theh——-yousay! Dead? Thatlittlecuss? Whatmakesyoustar’,Youoverthar? Can’tamandrop’sglassinyershopButyoumustr’ar? Itwouldn’ttakeD————dmuchtobreakYouandyourbar。 Dead! Poor——little——Jim! Why,tharwasme,Jones,andBobLee,HarryandBen,—— No-accountmen: ThentotakeHIM! Well,thar——Good-by—— Nomore,sir——I—— Eh? What’sthatyousay? Why,dernit!——sho!—— No?Yes!ByJoe! Sold! Sold!Why,youlimb,Youornery,DernedoldLong-leggedJim。 CHIQUITA Beautiful!Sir,youmaysayso。Tharisn’thermatchinthecounty; Isthar,oldgal,——Chiquita,mydarling,mybeauty? Feelofthatneck,sir,——thar’svelvet!Whoa!steady,——ah,willyou,youvixen! Whoa!Isay。Jack,trotherout;letthegentlemanlookatherpaces。 Morgan!——sheain’tnothingelse,andI’vegotthepaperstoproveit。 SiredbyChippewaChief,andtwelvehundreddollarswon’tbuyher。 BriggsofTuolumneownedher。DidyouknowBriggsofTuolumne? BustedhisselfinWhitePine,andblewouthisbrainsdownin’Frisco? Hedn’tnosavey,hedBriggs。Thar,Jack!that’lldo,——quitthatfoolin’! Nothin’towhatshekindo,whenshe’sgotherworkcutoutbeforeher。 Hossesishosses,youknow,andlikewise,too,jockeysisjockeys: And’tain’tev’rymanascanrideasknowswhatahosshasgotinhim。 KnowtheoldfordontheFork,thatnearlygotFlanigan’sleaders? Nastyindaylight,youbet,andamightyroughfordinlowwater! Well,itain’tsixweeksagothatmeandtheJedgeandhisneveyStruckforthatfordinthenight,intherain,andthewaterallroundus; Uptoourflanksinthegulch,andRattlesnakeCreekjusta-bilin’,Notaplankleftinthedam,andnaryabridgeontheriver。 Ihadthegray,andtheJedgehadhisroan,andhisnevey,Chiquita; Andafterustrundledtherocksjestloosedfromthetopofthecanyon。 Lickity,lickity,switch,wecametotheford,andChiquitaBuckledrightdowntoherwork,and,aforeIcouldyelltoherrider,Tookwaterjestattheford,andtherewastheJedgeandmestanding,Andtwelvehundreddollarsofhoss-fleshafloat,anda-driftin’tothunder! Wouldyeb’lieveit?Thatnight,thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita,Walkedherselfintoherstall,andstoodthere,allquietanddripping: Cleanasabeaverorrat,withnaryabuckleofharness,JustassheswamtheFork,——thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita。 That’swhatIcallahoss!and——Whatdidyousay?——Oh,thenevey? Drownded,Ireckon,——leastways,heneverkembecktodenyit。 Yeseethedernedfoolhadnoseat,yecouldn’thavemadehimarider; Andthen,yeknow,boyswillbeboys,andhosses——well,hossesishosses! DOW’SFLAT (1856) Dow’sFlat。That’sitsname; AndIreckonthatyouAreastranger?Thesame? Well,Ithoughtitwastrue,—— Fortharisn’tamanontheriverascan’tspottheplaceatfirstview。 ItwascalledafterDow,—— Whichthesamewasanass,—— AndastothehowThetthethingkemtopass,—— Jesttieupyourhosstothatbuckeye,andsityedownhereinthegrass。 Youseethis’yerDowHedtheworstkindofluck; HeslippedupsomehowOneachthingthethestruck。 Why,efhe’dastraddledthetfence-rail,thedernedthing’dgetupandbuck。 HeminedonthebarTillhecouldn’tpayrates; HewassmashedbyacarWhenhetunneledwithBates; AndrightonthetopofhistroublekemhiswifeandfivekidsfromtheStates。