This morning I sent Valencia to
learn the truth, and if you were in danger--Perhaps I could have done
little, but I should have tried to save you," he added simply. "I
should not like a clash with the gringos--pardon, Senors; I speak of
the class whom you also despise."
Jose laughed and swept the strings harshly with his thumb. "The clash
will come, Don Andres, whether you like it or not," he said. "This
morning I saw one more unasked tenant on your meadow, near the grove
of alders. What they call a 'prairie schooner.' A big, red-topped
hombre, and his woman--gringos of the class I despise; which
includes"--again he flung his thumb across the guitar string--"all
gringos!"
Jack's lips opened for hot answer, but Don Andres forestalled him
quietly.
"One more tenant does not harm me, Jose. When the American government
puts its seal upon the seal of Spain and restores my land to me, these
unasked tenants will go the way they came. There will be no clash."
But he sighed even while he made the statement, as if the subject were
neither new nor pleasant to dwell upon.
"Why," demanded Jose bitterly, "should the Americanos presume to
question our right to our land? You and my father made the valley what
it is; your shiploads of hides and tallow that you sent from Yerba
Buena made the town prosper, and called adventurers this way; and now
they steal your cattle and lands, and their government is the biggest
thief of all, for it tells them to steal more.
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