“i have said, se?orita, that the blood of the hidalgoes is in my veins. perhaps you did not know that miguel hidalgo, the priest, was the organizer of the first conspiracy against the spanish provincial government in mexico. that was in the year eighteen hundred and ten. for some time my people had been saying among themselves that they could survive and flourish independent of a foreign government. there were the signs and the spirit of nationality and independence. they wished to become a nation in many respects like the united states. the influence of the spanish government was already declining when miguel hidalgo started the insurrection in the province of guanajuato. at first it was a mere speck on the horizon. at the beginning he had less than a hundred men, but his army grew swiftly until it finally became a host of a hundred thousand men. he was brave and energetic, and would have succeeded in his scheme had not he been betrayed by treacherous enemies. he fell into the hands of the spanish viceroy and was executed.
“that did not end the matter, however. although the patriots were broken up into small bands, another priest, by the name of morelos, soon placed himself at their head and carried on the war. a national congress was convened, and an act was passed declaring the independence of mexico.
“it may seem strange to you, se?orita, that with a hundred thousand men hidalgo could not accomplish his design. it may seem strange that, although as many men, and still more, flocked to the leadership of morelos, they were unable to crush the power of spain. i will explain why this was. the spanish army came equipped in the best possible manner, while hundreds of the patriots were without any arms save such implements as they could manufacture themselves. being thus poorly armed, they were unable to cope with their enemies, and in december, eighteen hundred and fifteen, morelos was taken and shot.
“that was simply the beginning. in eighteen hundred and twenty-one one of my ancestors, the son of aneta hidalgo, began again the work of rousing the patriotism of my people. he was a young man, but full of fire and energy, and he stirred up enthusiasm in a most astonishing manner. in the same year came the news that the revolution had broken out in spain, and almost immediately the agitation in my country was renewed afresh. at this juncture a great soldier arose, colonel don augustine iturbide, and under him the son of aneta hidalgo, guerrero del norte, fought with bravery and distinction. this movement drew the support of the better class of the mexicans, and in the end the revolt was successful. the government in the provinces was quickly overthrown, and the spanish viceroy, don juan o’donoju, was cooped up in the capital. this city soon fell into the hands of the nationals, and on august twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and twenty-one, o’donoju signed a treaty at cordova by which the independence of mexico was recognized.
“now followed the thing that marred all the great work which had been accomplished. the patriots proclaimed the victorious iturbide emperor, instead of forming a government similar to that of the united states, as had been first contemplated. the disappointment of guerrero del norte was intense, and he refused any compensation or reward from the hands of the new emperor. he retired into the northern provinces, where he gathered about him a band of desperate men, who pledged themselves never to submit to the rule of the emperor and never to lay down their arms until mexico had become a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
“in the course of a few months another insurrection broke out at vera cruz, under the leadership of santa anna, and guerrero del norte hastened with his men to place himself under the command of the new leader. thus it happened that my ancestor took part in the struggle that followed, and was one to be highly rewarded when santa anna finally conquered and the mexican republic was organized with nineteen states and five territories. del norte was rewarded for his services by a large land grant in northwestern mexico. already he had traveled over the territory awarded him, and had discovered that it was rich in minerals. in many ways he was in advance of the people of that region, and he believed the mines on his property would make him vastly wealthy.
“without doubt, se?orita, you will know how the new government was forced to face a revolution in turn, and the chief magistrate was driven from office. since that time there have been many changes, but the course of events finally placed general santa anna at the head of the new government, and he at once reaffirmed guerrero del norte’s claim to a large tract of land in eastern sonora. thus you will see that del norte had a double right to this property, yet since then there have been many vicissitudes and many persons have arisen desiring to secure possession of that land. the title to it finally descended into the hands of my father. he attempted to open up some of the mines, but found the region swarming with brigands and hostile indians. on investigating, he discovered that the indians were incited to drive away certain parties who should venture there, and the brigands were in the employ of enemies who held counterclaims to the land. these counterclaims had been granted by a chief magistrate, whose authority to make such grants no one in all mexico now recognized. nevertheless, my father’s enemies were persistent, and misfortune placed him in such a position, that he was unable to raise the needed capital to carry out his plans.
“finally he decided that he would seek to employ american capitalists. he concluded to interest americans and form a syndicate that would open up the mines down there on his land. i was a very young boy then.
“on the night before my father intended leaving tampico by steamer for the united states he was murdered, as i have before told you. the murderers sought to gain possession of his papers, but failed, as they were at that time safely locked up in a vault. these papers were placed in my hands by my mother when she died. i have them, and, at last, i have decided to carry out the plans formed by my father. for that purpose i am in this country. i came here to interest capitalists who will join me in opening up the region that belongs to me and in developing the mines down there. in pursuance of my purpose i became acquainted with henry crossgrove, and was invited to join him on this cruise.”
del norte paused a moment, and then added:
“i am very glad it happened so, even if i had not succeeded in interesting se?or crossgrove. i am very happy, for it has been a delightful cruise, and i have met you—you! pardon, se?orita; i can’t help it! i tell you frankly that i always speak what comes into my heart. i can’t repress it. i can’t hold it in check. i am very, very sorry you ever met se?or merriwell. wait, se?orita; i know it’s now too late for me to speak. my tongue must forever remain silent. some day when i form the syndicate in which many rich men are now interested—some day when i have taken possession of all my land and my mines—some day when the railroad we shall build runs through my property i will be a very rich man. in that time, se?orita, it would give me untold pleasure to have one like you to share my success and my riches. ah! even wealth will not give me perfect happiness without that one. when i think of that my heart is heavy and sad. when i think that in a few days more we must part, perhaps never to meet again, there are tears in my eyes.”
inza did not attempt to repress a laugh.
“se?or del norte,” she said, “you will meet some one ready enough to share your wealth with you. the american girl is looking out for the main chance. just convince her that you have the money and she’s yours—or, rather, you will be hers, for she generally proposes to take charge of affairs.”
“you can’t make me believe, se?orita, that you have so little romance in you,” he protested. “do you not feel it—does not the night thrill you? and is it possible you have no regret because we are to part so soon? ah, well! i will simply smile, though my heart is torn with anguish. i will try to hide my secret, but now—now let me say—adios!”
ere she suspected his purpose he had seized her hand and pressed it to his burning lips.
instantly she sprang erect.
“se?or del norte, you are impudent!” she exclaimed. “if frank were here——”
“he is here,” said a quiet voice as frank merriwell himself stepped forward.
so interested had del norte become in inza, and so interested had she been in his story, that neither of them had observed the approach of the little boat that brought frank back to the yacht. as they were sitting on the port side, and he came aboard on the starboard side, neither of them became aware of his presence until he spoke.
for a single instant porfias del norte seemed startled. then he bowed with courtly grace, his guitar in his left hand, saying:
“at last you have returned, se?or merriwell. the se?orita was lonely without you, and i sought to interest her with music, song, and chat.”
inza felt that frank heartily disliked del norte, and she saw in merry’s manner a trace of suspicion and doubt. he glanced searchingly at her, and then once more turned to survey the suave, smiling mexican.
“you’re a very interesting person, se?or del norte,” he said, in a cold tone of voice. “from what i have seen of you i fancy you are a great admirer of the ladies.”
del norte laughed softly and pleasantly.
“my dear merriwell,” he said, with a touch of polite familiarity, “all the men of my country admire the ladies. it’s as natural for them as it is to breathe.”
“quite so,” nodded frank. “but you know there is such a thing as too much adoration. an admirer who is both obnoxious and persistent becomes a terrible bore in time. however, if you have amused miss burrage while i was absent i am pleased.”
“he told me the most interesting tale, frank,” said inza. “he told me of his family, and the history of the del nortes seems closely interwoven with that of mexico’s struggle for liberty.”
“i fancied you were startled by something, inza, just as i appeared,” said merry in a low tone. “was i mistaken?”
“if you could hear se?or del norte’s story i believe it might startle you, frank,” she answered evasively.
it was not inza’s intention or desire to deceive merry, but she knew how quickly her lover would administer reproof and chastisement to del norte for his conduct in case she revealed what had happened. not wishing to bring about an encounter on board the sachem, she thought it best to evade revealing the truth at that time.
the girl now urged merriwell to listen to del norte’s story, and once more asked the mexican to go over it.
it’s possible that del norte was relieved when he discovered she had no intention of telling frank what had taken place. he seated himself once more, after inza had resumed her chair, and invited frank to draw up and be comfortable.
“see how the moonlight turns the water to silver,” he said, stretching out his hand toward the shimmering waves of the harbor. “see the town nestling there at the foot of the dark mountain. look yonder on the top of the nearer and smaller mountain. up there you can behold a star, but it’s a light in the window of the hotel. to-morrow we are to go up there. se?or crossgrove has arranged it. we may climb the mountain on foot or be taken up in carriages, just as we choose. they say we will be entertained up there and be given a fine dinner, if we wish it. ah, how surprised my countrymen would be could they look on this beautiful scene away up here in the so-called barren north! but they tell me this land is buried deep in snow in the winter, while my own land is blooming with flowers and is sweet with fragrance. it’s only for a very short time in summer or in early fall that the inhabitants here really enjoy life.”
“that’s where you make a mistake, se?or,” said merry. “they enjoy life the whole year round.”
“how can it be?” asked the mexican unbelievingly. “they must work like slaves during the pleasant weather in order to protect themselves from hunger and cold through the bitter winters. thus while they work at the most beautiful time of the year they lose all the pleasure they might have; and in the winter they are compelled to huddle by their fireside. to me the people here are much like slaves. they know nothing of the real enjoyment of life.”
“on the contrary,” denied frank, “they enjoy life more fully than most people. to them labor is enjoyment. they are ambitious, and not only do they labor that they might eat, and drink, and be clothed and housed, but they labor to accomplish something that will make the world better and brighter. it’s from this frozen north that the most ambitious, most energetic, most brainy men go forth into the world. by this i do not mean that it’s from the state of maine alone, or even from the new england states, that such men go forth. it’s from the entire north, the temperate portion of the country. the people of the far south are inclined to be slothful. it’s in the atmosphere. the climate affects them. if they have ambitions, they say to-morrow we will begin; but for them to-morrow never comes.”
“still,” persisted del norte, “i can’t see how any one who is forced to labor may possibly be happy. to me it’s like slavery.”
“nor can you comprehend, i presume,” said merry, “that the people of the north labor from choice. it’s a fact that many rich men and many rich men’s sons labor because they love to work—they feel they must work. it’s in their blood to do, to accomplish, to be something. but we have strayed away from our subject, se?or del norte. you have been telling miss burrage an interesting tale of yourself and your family, and you promised to repeat it for me.”
“ah! yes, so i did,” murmured the mexican as he rolled a fresh cigarette. “i have thought for some time that i would tell you that story, se?or merriwell. i know you are interested in mexico.”
he struck a match and lighted a cigarette, at which he puffed a moment in silent meditation, his head bowed. it was a shapely head, with dark hair, in which there was the slightest wavy curl. his profile as shown by the moonlight of the far north seemed to carry with it the warm atmosphere of the tropics. still, there was about it something sad and poetic.
finally he began speaking, and once more he went over the story as told to inza. at times he turned his dark eyes toward frank, and watched the young american keenly, as if seeking to know the effect of the narrative upon him.
“a most interesting tale, se?or,” said merriwell when it was finished. “it is indeed too bad that the grant of land accorded your family should have been made at such a time and by president pedraza, whose power was only temporary and passing, and whose acts have been recognized by few of his followers in office as legitimate.”
del norte laughed softly.
“but you have forgotten, my dear se?or merriwell, that the grant of president pedraza was reaffirmed by president santa anna.”
it was frank’s turn to laugh.
“it happens, se?or del norte,” he retorted, “that i know a little something of mexican history. it happens very strangely that i know something of this very affair about which you have been speaking. i have found it necessary on my own account to look into the legality of many old land grants in mexico. president pedraza had the misfortune to be overthrown by santa anna, who previously overthrew don augustine iturbide. in this new uprising of santa anna, guerrero del norte must have been actively concerned in order to win favor of the victor. santa anna conquered and was made president.
“it was about this time, se?or, that the people in what now is known as texas became uneasy and restless. the central government of mexico was changed under santa anna. the constitution of eighteen hundred and twenty-four was abolished and a new form of government, and more substantial, was produced. although the office of president was retained, the executive powers were extended in a manner that constituted a virtual dictatorship. now, santa anna was no man to rule by love. he was harsh, and cruel, and vindictive. texas refused to recognize his authority and bow beneath his iron hand. then came the uprising of the texans and the war which followed in the rebellious province. santa anna himself headed the army and attempted to crush the rebellion by ruthless butchery. when captured, the texans were not treated as prisoners of war, but as traitors and spies, and were in many cases murdered in cold blood. the name of santa anna is held in the greatest detestation by the people of texas. he sought to crush the texans, but he himself met defeat in the battle of san jacinto, where he was captured. in this manner texas won her independence, and for a time santa anna had no hand in the government of mexico.
“during this time there were revolutions, and counter revolutions, and broils, and turmoils unmentionable. the country was in a state of disquietude and unrest, and no man knew that what he to-day called his own would not belong to his neighbor on the morrow. old laws were changed and favors granted to citizens were annulled. it was during this time, se?or, that guerrero del norte was himself proclaimed an outlaw and a price was placed upon his head.”
porfias del norte gave a slight start at this declaration, cast his cigarette over the side, where it struck with a sizzling sound in the water, and folded his arms.
“am i not right, se?or?” asked frank, facing him squarely.
“it’s possible you are right,” admitted the mexican. “in those days the man who one day was a patriot the next day was declared a brigand. your knowledge is very wonderful, se?or. it gives me great surprise.”
in del norte’s musical tones there was hidden the keenest sarcasm, which the young american did not fail to observe.
“i told you at the outset,” said merry, “that i had looked up many things in connection with mexican history. from the fact that i possess certain interests in eastern sonora, i was led to investigate the career of guerrero del norte. i found that not only was he proclaimed an outlaw, but he became a leader of bandits. he retired to what he called his own land, a vast stretch of mountains and plains, and gathered about him a band of desperadoes and cutthroats. they did not labor, but they lived on the fruits of others. they made various raids to the south and to the north. at one time they ventured across the rio grande into texas, but were driven back without success and with great loss of life. guerrero, the chief, was himself seriously wounded. from this time until his death i believe he remained practically an outlaw and a bandit.”
“wait a minute, se?or,” urged del norte. “have you forgotten that in eighteen hundred and fifty-three, for the fifth time, santa anna was made president of mexico? you must remember that general santa anna had reasons for feeling most friendly toward guerrero.”
“perhaps that is true,” nodded merry; “but by this time the life guerrero had been leading had taken such a hold upon him that he could not abandon it. he had become a lover of brigandage. he chose to remain a bandit and a plunderer to the end of his days, and thus did he remain. se?or del norte, i happen to know that in the end the grant of land made to guerrero was revoked and annulled and a price placed on the head of your bandit ancestor. these are facts. you can’t deny them.”
once more the mexican laughed, but this time there was a trace of annoyance in the sound.
“i must again confess,” he said, “that se?or merriwell’s knowledge of mexican history and my own affairs is most astounding. it seems strange indeed that he should know so very many things about my family.”
“it’s not so strange, se?or del norte, when you consider that at the present time i have a mine in eastern sonora located on territory given to guerrero in his land grant.”
“ha!” cried porfias. “then your mine is on that land? i thought as much! i was confident it must be! se?or, i am very sorry, but that mine belongs to me!”
“you never made a greater mistake in your life,” said merry quietly. “before spending any great sum of money in opening up that mine, se?or, i took pains to investigate thoroughly my right to the property. that’s how i came to know so much about the history of your family. i found in the city of mexico a record of the old land grant made to guerrero by pedraza. i found a record of its affirmation by president santa anna. i also found a record of its annulment at a later period by president santa anna. for your sake, se?or del norte, i am sorry; but for my own i am glad that you have not the remotest right to one inch of that land.”
“we shall see!” cried the mexican, his eyes flashing. “you think, like all americans, that possession is nine points of the law. well, it may be; but again i say we shall see. you have money. you are seeking to interest capitalists in opening up that country with a railroad. ah! se?or merriwell, i am not idle. it’s not always my way to disclose my plans, but, feeling sure of my ground, i tell you now that your railroad will never be built. instead of that, it’s i who will build the railroad. it’s i who will reap the reward to be taken from that rich country. i shall not fight you with violence, for the day of violence in mexico ought to be past. i shall fight you with the hand of the law.”
“very well,” said frank. “you may fancy that i am not aware that at the present time you are doing everything in your power to induce the mexican government to reaffirm that old land grant. i happen to know all about that. se?or del norte, every move you make in mexico is known to me. i have men on the ground who are ready to meet those moves and baffle them. president diaz is a just and honorable man. he is also a wise man and cannot be bamboozled. your efforts will be vain, se?or del norte.”
“we shall see! we shall see!” muttered the mexican, all the music gone from his voice. “it was a strange chance that threw us together on this yacht, se?or merriwell, but i am very glad it happened. although we met here as friends, we know now that we are enemies, and i promise you, my dear gringo, that i will keep you busy. you have boasted of the energy and ambition of the men of the north; you shall see something of the energy and ambition of the men of the south. i will give you no rest, se?or. if you become tired, beware lest while your eyes are closed i gain a step on you. beware lest when you awake you find your vaunted possessions have passed from you and are in my grasp. oh, it shall be a noble struggle! ha! ha! ha!”
the laugh of the mexican sent a chill through the body of the listening girl. instantly she started up, grasping frank’s arm.
“come!” she said. “i am cold. escort me to the cabin, please.”
del norte rose, bowing most profoundly and most gracefully.
“good night, se?orita,” he breathed. “may your dreams be as sweet as the dreamer. good night, se?or merriwell; but beware lest you dream and awake to regret it!”
