TO THE RESCUE
During the afternoon, everything had been made ready for the journey of
the morrow. There was not a great deal to be done for the three rescuers
would travel light. There would be no need of a pack animal, because the
Senor had assured the boys that they would find hospitality on the way.
Jo however was in mourning because when he gave his black a trial
gallop, it was discovered that he was badly lamed in the right knee. It
would not have been safe for any of the pirate gang to come within range
of Jo's wrath.
"The cursed brutes stove him up for fair," he declared grinding his
teeth.
"I'm afraid it will take a month's rest before he will be fit,"
determined Jim.
"Then I'm out of it," exclaimed Jo sorrowfully.
"Not so, my friend," interrupted the Spaniard. "Take the bay. He is not
as good a horse as yours, but he has great endurance. He is yours to use
as long as you wish."
Jo thanked the Spaniard heartily for his kindness and generosity. Then
he spoke in a low voice to his brother. "How about that money, Jim?
Don't forget to pay the Spaniard for those goods we bought at the
store." Jim spoke up.
"Senor, I wish to show you a little something of interest."
Then Jim got his heavy saddle, on which he had ridden so many hundred
miles. And the Senor regarded it with interest, because of the carved
leather workmanship which was of the finest and he was a connoisseur of
such matters.
"How much would you give for it, Senor Sebastian," inquired Jim, "if it
were put up for purchase?"
"It is a beautiful saddle. I would be willing to give a hundred dollars.
It is worth it."
"That saddle is worth several thousand, Senor," replied Jim confidently.
"I do not understand," replied the Spaniard. "It is the personal value,
I suppose."
"I will show you," said Jim.
Then he took from his hip pocket a heavy bone handled knife which he had
bought at the store and pulled back the hoof cleaner, an instrument
attached to the knife that was used to get a pebble or anything that had
got into the horse's hoof.
With this he worked at the leather that covered the high and rather
thick horn of the saddle. Finally he pried the top leather flap off.
There was a heavy piece fitted into the top of the horn. With some
difficulty Jim got this out disclosing a hollow, in which was concealed
most of the jewels he had found in Mexico.
"Hold your hands, Jo. Tight now." And with the word he emptied the
contents of the horn into Jo's palms. Diamonds, rubies, turquoises and
some heavy gold pieces.
"That is what you might call a horn of plenty," said Jim jocosely.
"But!" cried the Spaniard in amazement, "where did you get these?"
"In Mexico," replied Jim. "This was what the Pirates were after. And
they got all but this. Sometime I will tell you the story of its
discovery. Now take this to reimburse you, Senor, for the money we spent
at the store." And he held out the diamond.
"That is far too much. That stone is worth five hundred dollars at
least," said the Spaniard. "These three rubies would be more exact and I
will take them."
Jim, handing over the three stones selected, said, "Now, Senor, you
shall take the diamond as a token of good will from my brother and
myself."
"We insist upon it," chimed in Jo.
Finally the Spaniard accepted the gifts with many protestations of
obligation and appreciation. Jo was about to urge him to accept a jewel
for his sister, but Jim stopped him, knowing that the proud Spaniard
would not hear to such a present.
The next morning they were up an hour before daylight and ate a hearty
breakfast by the light of the candles. Veterans though they were, the
boys felt a thrill go through their pulses as they thought of the
expedition that lay before them. Outside they could hear the pawing of
the impatient horses.
"To the success of our expedition and the rescue of our friends!" was
the toast the Spaniard proposed as they rose from the table. The
Frontier Boys drank it, but not in wine. They felt just a little foolish
too, but such is the reward that often comes with doing what is right.
But they were sturdy in their determination to stick to their
principles.
If they had only known it, down in his heart the Spaniard respected them
the more, even though it seemed odd to him.
Then they went out on the verandah, fully armed and ready to take their
departure. Two oil lamps near the door and fastened to the wall, backed
by shining reflectors sent a strong light across the verandah and into
the darkness outside.
There stood the three horses, eager to be off, each one held by a
Mexican groom. Caliente we already know, and the horse that Jo is to
ride also. So let us take a glance at the third animal, Don Fernando. He
evidently justified all the enthusiasm of his master, a truly splendid
creature.
A dark chestnut, as large as Caliente and built on something the same
lines. They were beautifully matched except in color. It was with a
thrill of pleasure that Jim swung himself into the saddle. His mount was
in fine fettle and ready for the long pull ahead.
They started from the home ranch with a thunder of hoofs in unison, the
riders checking their horses to a slow gallop with a heavy hand.
Together they pressed through the waning darkness. There was a wonderful
exhilaration, as they leaped forward, the horses powerful and fresh.
Instead of following in the direction of the morning before, the
Spaniard turned to the East until they came near the foot of the range.
In a short time they came to a gate, which seemed to open mysteriously
as they approached, but the motive power proved to be a small Mexican
boy, whom the Senor had sent on ahead.
Now they were on a turf road with bushes on either side and down this
they thundered, Caliente the gray, and Don Fernando the dark, matching
stride for stride, with Jo well in the rear. For he found if he rode
close up he was blinded and stung by sods and stones thrown back from
the flying hoofs of the two horses in the front.
It was a bit lonely for Jo and he wished that one of the other boys was
here to keep him company. As they rode, the bushes seemed to fly by as
they do when you look from a railroad train and Jo was afraid lest his
horse would be unable to keep the pace indefinitely. One thing in Jo's
favor was that he was the lightest of the three and what is more to the
purpose a very light rider.
So like the good horseman he was, he determined to save his horse all he
could and make him last out. For eight miles or more they rode without a
stop until they came to another gate. This the Spaniard unfastened and
swung open without dismounting, then closed it after Jo.
The morning light was now distinct, although the fog was over the sky.
Before them stretched a long level plain that broke into sand dunes near
the sea. They could see the ocean lying dark in its monotonous level of
color, to the Western horizon.
"We have just left the Sebastian ranch," called the Spaniard.
"It is immense," commented Jim. "May I ask how many acres it embraces?"
"It was immense in the old days," replied the Spaniard. "Before your
people took possession of the land. It was held by no fences then. But
your laws were not ours and we lost many square miles. Now there are
fifty thousand acres under fence."
"Fifty thousand acres!" exclaimed Jo.
"Ah, but it was double that before the Americans came," replied the
Spaniard. Then he glanced critically at Caliente. "Your horse looks as
cool as though he had been standing in the stable. The pace does not
affect his wind either. Splendid condition!"
"Caliente is as hard as nails," said Jim proudly. "But your horse has
wonderful speed."
The chestnut seemed more on edge than the old warrior, Caliente, and
tossed the foam from his bit, until his dark coat was speckled with it.
"He is high strung," said the Spaniard, "but I would back him against
any horse flesh in California. We can let them out here for a half dozen
miles."
"Let her go, Senor. I won't let you lose me."
At the word the Spaniard gave his chafing horse his head and away the
chestnut sprang in the lead. It was slightly down grade for a mile,
then there was a gulch twelve feet wide and of considerable depth. It
was a good jump and to make it saved a little distance. Going at top
speed the chestnut took the jump in fine style. His rider half turned in
his saddle to watch Jim's effort. Caliente had faced worse leaps than
that, he rose to it and swept over it as gracefully as a bird.
"Good fellow!" exclaimed Jim patting him affectionately on the neck.