The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-09-20
BY FRANK II. sPEARMAN


fabrics, their colors too perishable
for the honest sunshine of the Pacific
slope.
When Larkin entered the room
Bowie introduced himself and his
companions. 'Mr. Larkin, you know
General Sam Houston?" suggested
the Texan.
"By reputation, yes. Do you come
from him?"
81 come from him. Mr.. Larkin,
we've broken away from the greas-
ers down our way. We're flying our
own flag in Texas. I'm here just to
learn what can and report back to
the man that sent me-"
Larkin studied his visitor closely.
what are your credentials, Mr..
Bowler" he asked.
"All in my head. was directed
to speak to you and make no move
without your sanction. Had brought
any writing with me and been caught
by the greasers it would have gone
hard. By pulling together, Mr..
Larkin, Texans and Californians
can establish an empire that will
reach from the Gulf of Mexico to the
Gulf of California. That's what some
Of our people have got in their
heads. That's the reason I'm in
California"
He waited for Larkin's response.
The latter hesitated some mo-
ments. When he spoke his attitude
was not unfriendly but plainly it
was not enthusiastic.
Things are very different with
us here in California from what
they were in Texas when you start
ed your fight. Most of our white
men are not greasers, as you call
them. They are of Spanish blood,
just as white as you and I. These
big land grants near here-anyway,
in several cases that I know Of
come direct from the king of Spain.
When you talk about changing the
flag you've got to deal with Califor-
nianos of that kind of blood-and let
me tell you, they hate the Yankees
like poison. They are the kindest-
hearted, most generous people in the
world, but they don't want to get
mixed up with Russians or English
or Yankees. They are proud, and
they are gentlemen, and they are
very independent. So you see what
little there is in any situation here,
just at present, to interest General
Houston.
SAT the same time you will see,
if you stay while, as I strongly
advise you to do, that things are
kind of-well, say-unsettled here,
just as they are down your way.
There's no denying that. What's GO
ing to come out of it no man can
tell much better than you can.
Bowie offered a few of his own
thoughts. "I'm beginning to like this
country. I'm going to stay while,
anyway. I'd like to live among the
kind of people you describe. But
I'll admit right off, I'm death on
greasers and Indians"
swell, boys, we're here" re-
marked Bowie that evening to his
two scouts. There's nothing to
take us back to Texas till we look
around. And inasmuch as the SOW
ereign republic Of Texas has not
supplied its ambassadors with any
funds, we'll have to forge along,
best we can. We've got our rifles
and, thanks to old Padre Pasqual, a
little powder. You can see for your
selves, boys, there's plenty of game
in this country for everybody; !
reckon nobody will object to our TAX
ing our share"
Bowie's wound in his shoulder,
long neglected, called urgently for
surgeons care. The American from
tiersman never gave wound much
attention; he had, without asking,
the best Of remedial agents at hand:
the pure air Of the plains and noun
tains and the hardest Of constitu-
tons. Neglect, not care, was the
rule for any wound not completely
disabling.
But Bowie had for once relied too
much on nature unaided and at Mon
terey was obliged to seek a sur
geon. Fortunately for him good
one was at hand; Larkin introduced
Bowie to him.
DR.. Doane was an Irishman and
justly proud of it, and he took an
Irishman's fancy to Bowie.
The doctor was good prober,
both physically and mentally. He
had been a world traveller and was
a man of parts.
81 suppose I ought to say, Doc
tor" began Bowie, "that ! haven't,
just at present, got a cent in the
world"
"Did / say anything about mon
ey?" demanded Doane sharply.
"Take off your shirt"
After some weeks Bowie COM
planned that the doctors treatment
was taking a good deal of his
(Doane's) time.
"Young man, you ought to be
thanking God you haven't lost an
:-.kooI - 80 about he