The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-11-03

TT WAS at the close Of the last day
in April, 1926, that the Asia made
Monterey harbor. It was toward
the end of the first day that Rob
ert Casterman saw Rafaela Maria Es-
trada and fell in love with her.
The Asia, the last Spanish i7ne-Cf-
battle ship that fiOated in the Pacific,
mad escaped from the fateful battle
with the Peruvian feet through the
skill and courage of her stout captain,
Don Jose Martinez and was come to
Monterey to surrender TO Governor Ar
guelo and the Mexican republic. Cap
tain Martinez had doubted long whe(h
er his allegiance was due most to the
king he served or to his native land.
The Spanish cause was now lost be
yond hope in the battle off the Peru
Wan coast. There was no though of
taking the Asia to Spain in the cOndi-
ton in which she was left by the hat
tie. hence ne ran for Monterey and
his old friend, Governor ArgUellO.
With him came Robert Casterman, the
American, his favOTite or all the men
and officers of the ship. And thus it
was that Robert Casterman was the
sole companion Of the stout Captain
Martinez when he sought audience
with the governor and made terms for
ship and men.
Now il was remarkable enough that
an American should be among the crew
of a Spanish ship, for Americans do not
serve the king nor was the name IA
vOred by men of Spanish blood. SO il
was that the governor eyed Ca-terman
sharply during the negotiations, and
when they were done ne said;
And this young man IS one of your
rf 81 wi
nez?"
The captain shook his head and re-
piled with a glance Of affection at his
companion.
He is a guest, your eXcellency, who
did me the honor to accept my hOspi-
tally about 200 leagues out from VAL
paraiso. He had a spar or two under
him when we met, but he was per
sIaded to abandon ihem for our poor
society"
"Ahi a castaway?" said the governor.
The young man answered. His voice
was pleasant, though his Spanish came
a little haltingly on che tongue, vet
with a flavor that the governor liked.
Yes, your tXceIency,' he said. Rob
ert Castermau, first mate of the brig
America of Boston / am, I tear, the
sole survivor o. sixteen men. i'he brig
1oundered in a fearful storm. Captain
Martinez speaks too lightly of his kind
ness. / was picked up through his vigil
lance, in the last extremity Of cold and
thirst and hunger, I owe everything to
his goodness"
1T Is nothing" said Captain Marti-
nez, with a wave of the hand. 1T was
all PAID back with usury at the battle
with those accursed Peruvians. All,
there we found hot work, your excel
lency, and this lad proved himself a
true friend of the king"
40, no. I know TO king" said Cas-
terman. II know only a captain"
Bravo young man. trust you VIII
know a governor" said ArguellO cOur-
teOusIy. 1--WE do not welcome the for
eigner in Alta California, but this
friend Of Captain Martinez is welcome
everywhere"
So j. was that Robert Casterman.
American and castaway. was still made
free Of the town Of Monterey, and was
received in the governors house and
u ade TO know all the chief men of Alta
California who were about the capital
AID was overwhelmed with the cOurte-
sizes that the hOspitable inhabitants
show cred on the officers Of the Asia.
And ne came to know by sight and
name and speech not only the family
of the governor. but such men as Jose
Ramon Estrada; and his stepsOn
young AlvaradC, afterward the most
vigorous of the Mexican governors of
Alta California, then but lad of Is.
and Captain Juan Castro. and She dark
Father Ssrria, president Of the mis-
sions, whose Spanish heart beat Loyalty
for the king and whose Spanish brain
wove the threads of the plots that
threatened the peace in Alta California
These and many more had speech with
him BUT most important Of all he
came TO see Rafaela Maria Estrada. for
near the Augelus on the first day Of his
stay she passed him in the square be
fore the governors house and left him
as a man ia a trance
Nov, though she was not alone-for
two young women walked with her,