After the entertainment was over, Russell strolled about the town. Thenew moon was on the sky, the stars thick and bright; but dark cornerswere everywhere, and he kept his hand on his pistol. He found himselfbefore the long low house of Dona Eustaquia Ortega. Not a lightglimmered; the shutters were of solid wood. He walked up and down,trying to guess which was Benicia's room.
"I am growing as romantic as a Californian," he thought; "but thiswonderful country pours its colour all through one's nature. If Icould find her window, I believe I should serenade her in true Spanishfashion. By Jove, I remember now, she said something about lookingthrough her window at the pines on the hill. It must be at the back ofthe house, and how am I going to get over that great adobe wall? Thatgate is probably fastened with an iron bar--ah!"
He had walked to the corner of the wall surrounding the large yardbehind and at both sides of Dona Eustaquia's house, and he saw,ascending a ladder, a tall figure, draped in a serape, its faceconcealed by the shadow of a sombrero. He drew his pistol, then laughedat himself, although not without annoyance. "A rival; and he has gotahead of me. He is going to serenade her."
The caballero seated himself uncomfortably on the tiles that roofed thewall, removed his sombrero, and Russell recognized Fernando Altimira. Amoment later the sweet thin chords of the guitar quivered in the quietair, and a tenor, so fine that even Russell stood entranced, sang toBenicia one of the old songs of Monterey:--
EL SUSPIRO Una mirada un suspiro, Una lagrima querida, Es balsamo a la herida Que abriste en mi corazon. Por esa lagrima cara Objeto de mi termina, Yo te ame bella criatura Desde que te vi llorar. Te acuerdas de aquella noche En que triste y abatida Una lagrima querida Vi de tus ojos brotar.
Although Russell was at the base of the high wall he saw that a lightflashed. The light was followed by the clapping of little hands. "Jove!"he thought, "am I really jealous? But damn that Californian!"
Altimira sang two more songs and was rewarded by the samedemonstrations. As he descended the ladder and reached the open streethe met Russell face to face. The two men regarded each other for amoment. The Californian's handsome face was distorted by a passionatescowl; Russell was calmer, but his brows were lowered.
Altimira flung the ladder to the ground, but fire-blooded as he was, thepoliteness of his race did not desert him, and his struggle with Englishflung oil upon his passion.
"Senor," he said, "I no know what you do it by the house of the SenoritaBenicia so late in the night. I suppose you have the right to walk inthe town si it please yourself."
"Have I not the same right as you--to serenade the Senorita Benicia? IfI had known her room, I should have been on the wall before you."
Altimira's face flushed with triumph. "I think the Senorita Beniciano care for the English song, senor. She love the sweet words of hercountry: she no care for words of ice."
Russell smiled. "Our language may not be as elastic as yours, DonFernando, but it is a good deal more sincere. And it can express as muchand perhaps--"
"You love Benicia?" interrupted Altimira, fiercely.
"I admire the Senorita Ortega tremendously. But I have seen her twiceonly, and although we may love longer, we take more time to get there,perhaps, than you do."
"Ay! Dios de mi vida! You have the heart of rock! You chip it off inlittle pieces, one to-day, another to-morrow, and give to the woman. I,senor, I love Benicia, and I marry her. You understand? Si you take her,I cut the heart from your body. You understand?"
"I understand. We understand each other." Russell lifted his cap. TheCalifornian took his sombrero from his head and made a long sweepingbow; and the two men parted.