The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-02-03
CHAPTER VIII

Pedro FACES leaped from out the
darkening, shark-infested water of
the Gulf of California and raced a
few times up the beach, shouting
and beating his chest. Then he
dressed carefully, combed his beard
and hair with his fingers, and went
to his tent.
Escabellito, the wee Indian,
awaited him there, and the two
walked toward the roaring fire. The
smoky air was filled with the odors
of roasting flesh. Two casks, one of
wine, and one of aguardiente from
the Franciscan mission of San Ga
briel Arcangel in California Alta,
stood ready for the broaching.
Don Pedro strolled restlessly
about. The bay was now flooded
with moonlight, which emphasized
mountains, palms, men and horses
in black silhouette. Again he peered
into the tent. A little fire had been
built before the entrance and its re-
Election made the barbaric interior
glow like a jewel.
When he looked again toward the
fire he saw three figures ride SLOW
ly toward the camp: woman, a
child and a man. Behind them a
long caravan defiled out of the ar
royo.
"Ah," choked the Governor. AS
he went toward them a thousand
confused thoughts, memories, de-
sires raced through his mind. Eu-
1alia, his wife-his Eulalia-eight
years-the babe at the mothers
breast - beautiful Eulalia - lonely
years-beloved, riding to me out of
the Wilderness will crawl to your
feet-kiss your little shoes-core of
my heart-hope of my loneliness
mine to POSSESSION.
"Ah," choked the Governor of Cal
ifornia.
He made his way with dignity to-
ward her, helped her from the sad
die, kissed her hand timidly. And
said only:
"Well! Well, well, WE'LL"
There were confused greetings,
cries, laughter; a milling of people
and horses. The Governor found
his legs held in a tight grip. He
looked down.
Hello! And who is this?"
''I am Pedro FACES the Younger.
Are you my father? Are you truly?
] didn't think I had a father, real
ly. I thought he was like Senior
Jesus, or San Francisco, or"
FACES swung the child into his
arms and carried him to the fire.
He looked into the clear eyes, de-
voured the brown face, felt the
straight little back and limbs, and
buried his cheek in the boys warm
neck.
''I am your father-I am indeed.
And you are my chamaco, my lit
tie boy!"
Pedro FACES the Younger wrig-
gled in delight.
"Then it's all right. Al, I have
SO many things to tell you, and ask
you, Father. Father! That sounds
funny, doesn't it? I've heard other
boys say that, but never could. "
young Pedro, you are bother
ing your father! And want to speak
to him. Greetings, Don Pedro-or
should say, your Excellency?"
"Dona Angustias! Well, we'll
And he stopped to kiss the with
cred virgins cheek. She giggled and
produced her pet, to hold him up
proudly like a child. Look, sir!
Chichi! And he has borne the trip
thus far nobly, nobly, I say"
"Chichi! My God, the same Chi
chip"
"Oh, not the same Chichi, there
have been several Chichis since the
one you saw last, but there is just
one, always and the same Chichi!'
FACES felt his hand tugged gen.
fly, and looked down into the SOM
Der eyes of the tiny Indian. He
took him by the hand and led him to
where Eulalia sat enthroned be-
meath ramada by the fire.
Sonora" he said formally, "here
is a gift I have brought you all the
way from Monterey, a gift which ]
nope yOu Will appreciate, anu use.
This is Escabellito."
''Escabellito! Little Foot-Stool!
exclaimed the lady. "What a
strange name!"
''He has no other. And that is
what he is. Your little foot-stool.' -
He whispered in the brown ear. The
child dropped on his round belly
and wriggled to the lady's feet,
turning his head toward the Cover
nor, begging for approval with a
black bright eye.
''There you are! Put your feet on
him, Lady. Do not be afraid. That
is what he is for, he has been
trained for you, the little savage"
Eulalia put one foot, then the 9th.
er, gingerly on the small round
body, then relaxed.
'Ah," she laughed, che is a com.
Portable Escabellito! This is nice OF
you, your Excellency. Queens and
the mistresses of kings have their
little blackmoors, and I have my
wee Indian"
The Governor bowed low.
Fright and fitting, Dona Eulalia.' -
"Ah, my heart, my beautiful
more beautiful than I remembered
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