Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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Soon he was up behind the town and clattering across the great Presidio campus, which shone hard and white under the rising moon. He passed the men ' s quarters looming up in their white-wash. To him the whole place breathed of the military and the searching hand of the law. He galloped harder. He rode into the woods behind the Presidio and followed an old cow path up to the summit. As he rode out into the moonlight the mournful call of Taps came floating slow and clear from the Presidio below. He drew up and faced about, listening to the end. He sat quietly thus for some time, his horse breathing heavily the while. The ride in the fresh evening air had cleared his mind from the effects of El Adobe, and his thoughts flew as he gazed sadly at the scene below. Rahelio looked over the miles of rolling hills, hazy and indistinct ; the old Castro grant, his hills by right ! Bitterh ' he remembered the coming of the greedy Gringos and the death of his father and grandfather. The calm moonlit waters of the bay lay silent at his feet and its white border faded miles away to the north in a great smooth curve. The lights of Monterey twinkled up at him and a bright splotch marked the Custom- House close by the bay. Guadalupe was surely there this evening. A jealous rage possessed him as he pictured her dancing with the young offi- cers and his old time friends — perhaps laughing and smiling into some more fortunate man ' s face at that moment ! Had she any thought of him? AVas she lost to him now? Must he be dragged into dishonor b} ' the fallen fortunes of his house? He devoutly hoped she had no suspicion of his present venture. Rahelio turned toward the west and looked over the rough coast line and the blank darkness marking the Pacific ; there lay China Cove and his desperate promise. He turned back to Monterey and looking over the land of his birth, of his life, of his fathers he thought of the spirits of the dead looking with shame on his evil choice. A wave of inspiration swept over him as he thought: Shall a Castro fall so low? A Castro, a contrabandista? For answer he flung the brass lantern to the ground with some of the satisfaction he would have felt had it been his friend the fisherman. With a grim look toward China Cove he roused his horse and took the back trail for Monterey. Rahelio riding slowly through the quiet streets of the town felt cheer- ful and happy for the first time in months. He had no definite plans, but a vague feeling ' that he had played true and redeemed himself, and that con- sequently every thing would come right. He determined broadly upon

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IN OLD — MONTEREY RAHELIO CASTRO, swinging shut the heavy green door of El Adobe behind him, stepped out into the narrow white walled street, wdiich faded out at either end into the dusk. He nervously flipped away his cigarette and seemed confused and midecided, listening to the sounds of con- viviality within. A moment later he swung himself onto his horse and dashed away down the echoing street. At the foot of Alvarado he caught the sharp smell of the sea and a fleeting glimpse of the smooth glinting bay through the arches of the Custom-House. The place was hung with many lanterns and a few graceful white figures moved about the galleries ; tonight was the reception to the Comandante. Castro did not slacken his speed, however, but swerved up a side street and past some mean fisher huts. He drew up sharply before one of these and was quickly met by the master, who worked over-late ar- ranging his nets before the door. The fisherman was short, grizzled, and pi- ratical looking, in striking contrast to the Spaniard, who sat his horse with an easy reckless air, his tall peaked sombrero rakishly tilted sidewise on his head. Castro waved the little man a greeting and cried, ' ell what of my promise now, Duarte ? The wicked looking Duarte appeared both enraged and frightened at this careless speech and strode quickly to his stirrup and said harshly, Not so loud! Do you want to tell all Monterey? You under- stand all about this business now. Are you ready to take it ? Rahelio had of late fallen in with plenty of such men, many worse and some better than this Duarte, but his ofifensive rasping voice and evil ex- pression as he grasped his saddle made Rahelio wish the afi air well over. He answered, quickly looking away, Yes ! I am hidalgo, bandalero, what you please. Duarte was satisfied and thrust some papers into his hand and passed him a small ship ' s lantern. Show it three times, China Cove, and hurry! Rahelio, digging in liis spurs called Adios ! as he leaped away. He took the streets leadin.g ha.ck of the town and rode hard, anxious to drive all thought from his mind. 11

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THE FURIOTTS FACK AND THE FLASH OF A KNIFE Mexico and my uncle for his future ; of course Senorita De La Torre was included. He did not know just how to go about it. but he kn.ew it was necessary she should go with hini. His horse took the course he pleased and this brought him out on the flat sandy beach. This broad quiet solitude well suited Rahelio ' s mood, and as they ambled along the shore, sometimes splashing thru the shallow flood of the sleepy little waves, he dreamed gloriously on. The familiar air of a fandango aroused Castro sharply from these plans. He found himself under the beach walls of the Custom-House. alive to the call of the twanging guitars and the voices of the dancers. As he recognized the swinging tones of old Simineau ' s accordion, he must at least have a look, so he left his horse to watch below while he climbed the old wave beaten stairs. He slid into a corner bench where he watched the dance, himself unseen except for the glowing tip of his cigarette and the dark outline of his sombrero. He peered through the crowd for a glimpse of Guadalupe and burned three cigarettes with feverish speed in the vain search. Rahelio was about to give it up when he noticed three men strolling down the gallery. They stopped close behind him and he waited for them to move on, but they seemed in no hurry and he o erheard their talk. The name of De La Torre caught his ears and he was immediately bristling at- tention. Rahelio turned slowly to see who spoke and heard plainly. 13