In Old California 21
Don Jose wondered why men whispered low
not knowing they discussed his daughter fair.
"I'll talk to Miguel when we get to Luis Ore, Segundo.
He can persuade his brother to make Margarita marry me. Don Miguel
and I don't like each other very much, but we do business together and
it wouldn't be good for him if he displeased me. Does he have a way to ship
hides or move cattle unless it's across my land? No Segundo, we wouldn't
allow him to do that if he's unreasonable, would we?"
El Segundo's pale thin lips parted evilly.
"No patron, I don't think we could. We might let him get his cattle a
little way on to de Plata, but whose to say what might happen then. A
sudden stampede's not too uncommon when bullets are fired. My patron,
I've seen cows go over the edge of cliffs when frightened. It'd be a
shame if Don Miguel lost cattle that way."
"What you say has some merit, amigo. It's certainly something to think
about, eh?"
Don Huerra put his arm around Segundo's skinny shoulders. In good nature
they had a laugh together.
Don Jose turned asking in surprise, "What are you laughing about, Senor Huerra?
I don't think the possibility of getting wet is humorous."
"El Segundo thinks it's a good joke on us that God makes it rain when we're
least prepared. He thinks, Excellency, he's so thin he could step between rain drops
without getting wet, so light he could walk on water. He's not worried about
muddy boots. We laugh, Excellency, because we think his self description
might be true. It would be Segundo's pleasure, Don Hernandez, for him
to bring your carriage around for your family's convenience."
Huerra's quick dissimulation came from practice; he often used a lie to
save a situation or serve a purpose. Don Huerra wasn't bothered with
conscience for he'd met that still small voice years ago and had throttled it.
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