Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING INsTALLMENTs

SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING 1NsTALLMENTs.
Nicclai Petrovich Rezanov. Russian nobeman and
explorer. has founded the Russo-American Com
dom for Russia, which shall include the western
company's workers fan in for lack of farinaceous
food TO such food, well as to spy out
to San Francisco in April. 1905, He has with him
cargo Of household goods In spite OF the span span.
ish law forbidding international trade; ne hopes
to barter this cargo for farinaceons food. Don
Jose Arggelo commandant OF san arqn sea "a
forna. receive him Hospitality and seem to favor
plan he breaches for Russo-Spanish aIllhnce'
but viii not consent to the desired cargo barter
Commandant Arguelio has beautiful sixteen zen,
In love with each other and secretly plight their
troth. She is a Roman Catholic, he Greek tatho-
bids the match. Concha pleads vain!y with her
father to alter his decision, and a stormy scene
nelghboring mission where the priests try T. vain
shake Con has determination to marry kezanoV.
vent. Concha Is lodged with relative near the
mission until such time as ReznnPy s snd leave awe
ayeys t1' midnight interview. The upshot of the
matter is that Con has parents at last agree to
the match condition that Rezanoy can obtain
ti"n from the pope This will take nearly two
years to accomplish. but with It the lovers are are
trotkal a feast and Indian dance given at the
mission.
There was a peaceful interlude, during
which the men, holding bow and arrow
aloft hoped up and down on one spot
the women hopping beside them and snap
ping thumb and forefinger on the body
still singing in the same high-measured
voice. But while they danced great bon
fire was laid and kindled. The gyrations
lasted few moments longer. then the
chief seized a live ember and swallowed
II. His example was Immediately FOL
lowed by his tribe. and, whether to re-
lieve discomfort or with energies but quick
ened. they executed n series of incredible
handsprings and acrobatic capers. When
they finally whirled away on toes and nm
ger tips. another chief. in the horns and
hide of a deer rushed in, pursued by a
party of hunters. For several moments
Ne perfectly simulated a hunted animal,
Hlrking and lodging In high grass, behind
srees venturing to the brink of a stream
20 drink searching eagerly for his mate;
and when he finally escaped 1t was amid
the most enthusiastic plaudits as yet
evoked.
ance the square was enlarged by several
mounted vaqueros galloping about with
warning cries and much fiourishing of las
So They were the cattle herders OF the
Mission ranch just over the hills, and
were in gala attire o. black glazed SOM
brcro with silver cord, white shirt open
at the throat, short black velvet trousers
laced with silver, red sash and high yell
low boots Four. pistol in hand. stationed
themselves in front of the Corridor, while
the others rode out and in again. dragging
a bear and bull, with hind legs attached
by two yards of rope. The captors lett
the captives in the middle of the square
and without more ado the serious spor'
of the day began. The bull, with stomach
empty and hide inflamed rushed at the
bear furious from captivity, with such a
roar that the Indian women screamed ana
even the men shuffied their feet uneasily.
But neither combatant was interested In
aught but the other. The one sought to
gore, his enemy to strike or hug. Ihe
vauueros leased them with arrows and
cries. the dust flew: for a few moments
there was but a heaving, painting, laShlng
bulk in the middle of the arena and then
the bull his tongue torn out. rolled on his
back. and another was driven In be1ore
the victor could wreak his unsated ven
geance among the spectators. The bear
dragging the dead bull, rushed at the hV-
ing who unmartial at first, stinened 10
the defensive as he saw bulk of why FUR
set with eyes of fire, almost upon him. He
sprang aside. lowered his horns, and caught
the bear in the chest. But the victor was
a compact mass of battle and momentum.
His onslaught flung the bear over back
ward and quickly dsengaging himself he
made another leap al his equally agile
enemy This time the battle was longer
and more various, for the bull was smaller.
more active and dexterous. Twice he al
most had the bear on his horns, but was
rolled. only saving his neck and back from
the fury of the mountain beast by such
kicking and leaping that both combatants
were indistinguishable from the whirlwind
of dust Out of this they would emerge
to stand painting in front or each other
with tongues pendant and red eyes rolling.
Finally the bear. nearly exhausted, made
a sudden charge. the bull leaped aside,
back again with incredible swiftness,
caught the bear in the belly. tossed him
so high that he met the hard earth with
a loud cracking of bone. The vaqueros
clrcled about the maddened bull set MS
hide thick with arrows, tripped him with
the lasso wiry little Mexican in yellow,
gaIopng in on his mustang. administered
the coup de grace amid the wild applause
of the spectators, whose shouting and
clapping and stamping might have been
heard by the envious guard at the Presldlo
and Yerba Buena.
AS the party on the corridor broke, Reza-
nov found difficulty in reaching Con-
chas side. for even Dona Ignacia was chat
tering wildly with several other good danes
who renewed their youth briefly at the bull
fight
Did you enjoy that?" he asked curously.
Il did not look at It. l never do. But
know that you not afronted. You
never took your eyes from those dreadful
beasts"
II am exhllarated to know that you
watched me. Yes, at a bull-fght the print
tive man in me has its way. although |
have the grace to be ashamed of myself
afterward In that l am at least one degree
more civilized than your race. which never
repents.'
The door of one of the smaller rooms
stood open, and as they took advantage of
this oversight with a singular concert of
motive, he took both her hands in his. Ara
you angry with me?' he asked softly. He
dared not c'ose the door. but his back was
square against II, and the other guests were
moving down to the refectory.
For liking such horrd sport?"
I'VE have no time to waste in coquetry."
Her eyes melted, but she could not resist
planting a dart Not now-I quite under
stand: love could never be first with you.
And two years are not so long They quickly
pass when one is busy. l shall find occupa-
ton. and you will have no time for lOngings
and regrets
They We're not yet alone. women were
talking in their light high voices not a yard
away. The hindrance and her new lowell
ness in the soft mantilla, the pink of the
roses reflected in her throat the provocative
curl Of her mouth, sent the blood to his
head.
You have only to say the word" he said
hoarsely, and the Juno will sail tonight"
Never before had she seen his face so I'M
masked. Her voice shook in triumph and re-
Spouse.
Would you? Would your"
Say the wordr'