White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1938-06-17
CHAPTER II

the Viceroy of Mexico, one Mayor
ga. Vendors were hawking their
wares: foodstuffs, parrots, baskets,
pottery, burros and young pigs. The
Viceroy, for the fftieth time that
bright morning, pulled aside one of
the velvet curtains and looked down
into the street, his nose tWitching
with agitation as he did so.
"You are nervous, my friend"
chuckled a soldierly- looking man
who stood beneath a great map of
California stretched across the wall.
A third man took a long cigar
from between his bearded lips, to
answer him.
"You, Felipe de Neve, are sol
der, fighter, and should be afraid
of nothing-while our friend here,
Mayorga, is-if he will pardon me,
only Viceroy of Mexico. He should
be allowed a few qualns."
Mayorga walked from the window
and joined de Neve beneath the
map.
Isl, you are a soldier, Felipe. One
of the conquistadores of this heather
land here on the wall that is caus-
ing me so much trouble"
IA heather land indeed" an
swered de Neve. "And troublesome
indeed. There is only one person
who can help you. A woman"
"Yes-a Woman-and that is why
I tremble."
The third man, Romeu, Joined
them and looked up at the map.
'"There is one person who will
keep Don Pedro happy and content
ed in California;" the Viceroy con-
tinued. 'That is his wife, the beaute-
GUS Dona Eulalia Cells de FACES"
He preened himself and smoothed
the creamy lace ruff1es at his wrist.
II for one do not blame him for
that. She would keep any man hap.
Ply, anywhere. He walked again to
the window and peered out into the
street. Romeu and de Neve ex-
changed glances.
"You are right, your Excellency,"
agreed Romeu. II well remember
the day the couriers met us, down
in that desert of the Colorado, with
dispatches that Don Pedro was to
be governor. He did not give thanks
that he would not have to chase
Indios all over New Spain-he did
not think of his rise Of position
from humble Catalan soldado de
cuero to governorship-he did not
think of the glory of Spain or the
Church. Oh, no. He knelt in the
sand and said, Now I can have my
Eulalia with me- And he made me
promise I would persuade her to
join him. And here am"
Eyes, and you must persuade
her!" exclaimed Mayorga earnest
ly. Cages is the only man for
California, and I fear if his wife
does not join him, he will not stay"
Fear it'll" snorted de Neve. II
know it. AS for persuading her, you
are to open the subject, and we will
amen your suggestions"
"How can I! How can any man
persuade woman against her will!
Look at the desolate stretch Of coun.
try-the CALIFORNIA;, upper and low.
err! Regard the distance from this,
the capital of Mexico, to that little
spot which is Monterey, the capital
of the CALIFORNIA;! The leagues Of
sea and desert that separate them!
The sand, the cacti, the savages-"
Romeu looked reaectively at the
land he pointed out. "How will she
reach there, by ship?" he asked.
''She will have to walk" said de
Neve calmly.
"Walk!" calculated the others.
Just then there was a clamor In
the street below. They went to
the window and saw carriage ar.
irving up the filthy muddy street.
The three men saw the footmen
leap to their feet, open the carriage