Carmen Ariza Part 63

"Listen," Jose pleaded desperately, "Fernando, leave her here to-night--this is sudden, you must acknowledge--she must have time to take leave of Dona Maria--and--"

"_Senor Padre_, the Alcalde's order is that she go with me now. I must obey."

Jose felt his control oozing fast. Scarce knowing what he did, he quickly stepped back through the rear door, and going to Rosendo's house, seized a large _machete_, with which he returned to face the constable.

"Look you, Fernando," he cried, holding the weapon menacingly aloft, "if you lay a hand on that girl, I will scatter your brains through yonder _plaza_!"

_"Caramba!"_ muttered the constable, falling back. "_Bien_," he hastily added, "I will make this report to the Alcalde!" With which he beat an abrupt retreat.

Jose sank into a chair. But he hastily arose and went into Rosendo's house. "Dona Maria!" he cried excitedly, "leave Carmen with me, and do you hurry through the town and see if Juan is here, and if Lazaro Ortiz has returned from the _hacienda_. Bid them come to me at once, and bring their _machetes_!"

The woman set out on her errand. Jose seized his _machete_ firmly in one hand, and with the other drew Carmen to him.

"What is it, Padre dear?" the child asked, her eyes big with wonder.

"Why do you tremble? I wish you wouldn't always go around thinking that two and two are seven!"

"Carmen, child--you do not understand--you are too young, and as yet you have had no experience with--with the world! You must trust me now!"

"I do _not_ trust you, Padre," she said sadly. "I can't trust anybody who always sees things that are not so."

"Carmen--you are in danger--and you do not comprehend--" cried the desperate man.

"I am _not_ in danger--and I _do_ understand--a great deal better than you do, Padre. Now let me go--you are afraid! People who are afraid die of the plague!" The irony of her words sank into his soul.

Juan looked in at the door. Jose rose hastily. "Did you meet Dona Maria?" he asked.

"No, senor," the lad replied.

"She is searching for you--have you your _machete_?"

"Yes, Padre, I have just come back from the island, where I was cutting wood."

"Good, then! Remain here with me. I need you--or may."

He went to the door and looked eagerly down the street. "Ah!" he exclaimed with relief, "here come Dona Maria and Lazaro! Now, friends," he began, when they were a.s.sembled before him, "grave danger threatens--"

"Padre!" It was Dona Maria's voice. "Where is Carmen?"

Jose turned. The child had disappeared.

"Lazaro!" he cried, "go at once to the Boque trail! Let no one pa.s.s that way with Carmen, if your life be the penalty! Juan, hurry to the lake! If either of you see her, call loudly, and I will come! Dona Maria, start through the town! We must find her! G.o.d above, help us!"

The afternoon dragged its interminable length across the valley. Jose wearily entered his house and threw himself upon a chair. He had not dared call at the Alcalde's house, for fear he might do that official violence. But he had seen Fernando in the street, and had avoided him.

Then, of a sudden, a thought came to him from out the darkness. He sprang to his feet and hurried off toward the shales. There, beneath the stunted _algarroba_ tree, sat the child.

"Carmen!" He rushed to her and clasped her in his arms. "Why did you do this--?"

"Padre," she replied, when she could get her breath, "I had to come out here and try to know for you the things you ought to know for yourself."

He said nothing; but, holding her hand tightly, he led her back to the house.

That evening Jose sent for Don Mario, the constable, and Juan and Lazaro. a.s.sembling them before him in his living room, he talked with them long and earnestly.

"_Compadres_," he said, "this week we have pa.s.sed through a sad experience, and the dark angel has robbed us of three of our beloved friends. Is it your wish that death again visit us?"

They looked at one another in wonder. The Alcalde scowled darkly at the priest beneath his heavy brows. Jose continued:

"_Bien_, it is planned to seize the little Carmen by force, and send her down the river to Padre Diego--"

_"Dios y diablo!"_ Juan had sprung to his feet. "Who says that, Padre?" he demanded savagely. The Alcalde shrank back in his chair.

"Be calm, Juan!" Jose replied. "Padre Diego sends for her by letter--is it not so, Don Mario?"

The latter grunted. Juan wheeled about and stared menacingly at the bulky official.

"Now, friends," Jose pursued, "it has not been shown that Carmen belongs to Diego--in fact, all things point to the conclusion that she is not his child. My wish is to be just to all concerned. But shall we let the child go to him, knowing what manner of man he is, until it is proven beyond all doubt that he is her father?"

"_Caramba!_ No!" exclaimed Juan and Lazaro in unison.

"And I am of the opinion that the majority of our citizens would support us in the contention. What think you, friends?"

"Every man in Simiti, Padre," replied Lazaro earnestly.

"Don Mario," said Jose, turning to the Alcalde, "until it is established that Diego has a parent's claim to the girl, Juan and Lazaro and I will protect her with our lives. Is it not so, _amigos_?"

addressing the two men.

"_Hombre!_ Let me see a hand laid upon her!" cried Juan rising.

Lazaro spoke more deliberately. "Padre," he said. "I owe you much. I know you to be q good man--not like Padre Diego. I know not what claim he may have on the girl, but this I say: I will follow and support you until it is shown me that you are in the wrong."

Jose went over and clasped his hand. Then, to the town officials:

"_Bien, amigos_, we will let the matter rest thus, shall we not? We now understand one another. If harm comes to the child, the death angel will again stalk through this town, and--" he looked hard at Don Mario, whilst that official visibly shrank in size--"_Bien_," he concluded, "a sharp watch will be kept over the child. We will submit to proofs--but to nothing less. And violence will bring bloodshed and death."

"But--_Caramba_!" cried Don Mario, at last finding his voice. "If Diego has the Bishop back of him, he will force us to deliver the girl--or the Bishop will have the government soldiers sent here! I can ask for them--and if necessary I will!"

Jose paled slightly. He knew the Alcalde spoke truth. Don Mario, seeing that his words had taken effect, quickly followed up the advantage. "Now you, Juan and Lazaro, do you think the little whelp worth that?"

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Juan leaped across the floor and fell upon him. Jose seized the lad and, with Fernando's help, tore him loose. Lazaro held his _machete_ aloft, ready to strike. Jose's voice rang out sharply:

"Hold, men! Stop! Go you to your homes now! Juan, do you stay here with me!"

The lad faced the Alcalde and shook his fist. "_Bien_," he sputtered, "send for the soldiers, fat dog that you are! But when I see them crossing the lake, I will come first to your house and cut open that big belly!"

"Arrest him, Fernando!" shrilled the Alcalde, shaking with rage.