Chapter 9
The old patrón held his peace throughout the remainder of the afternoon. In fact, the old man didn't even venture out of the stage during a stop to change horses. Of course, Bernardo hadn't either. He not only wanted to stay on guard to make sure Zorro remained safe, but the outlaw was still using his shoulder for a pillow.
Conversations between the señorita and her aunt remained in low tones. However, Bernardo figured it wouldn't have mattered if there was a fiesta outside; Zorro would have slept through it. His patrón shifted in his sleep, forcing the old man to move his own legs aside. Bernardo saw this as poetic justice.
It was late afternoon. The stage should be arriving at the inn for the night. That would be the most perilous time. Zorro needed a horse. If they could arrange that, and he could get away without being stopped, then Bernardo felt his patrónwould make it home without further incident.
Within an hour, the driver announced their impending arrival at the way station. Anna Teresa reached over and shook the sleeping man's arm. Zorro sat up quickly, grasping for the pistol, which wasn't there. "Señor Zorro," the señorita said with a smile, "We are approaching the way station. I assumed you wished to be awake when we got there."
Bernardo handed him the pistol, and Zorro tucked it back in his sash, nodding his thanks. He knew Bernardo had saved him from some kind of dangerous situation while he slept. He would inquire about it later. "Gracias," he told the señorita. "Indeed, I did. And I must insist on leaving the coach first, por favor."
Zorro noticed that the old patrón was strangely quiet. He suspected that not only Bernardo, but also the señorita had protected him in his sleep. Embarrassed at his vulnerability, the outlaw realized it couldn't be helped. A little lunch and a siesta can do much for a tired and famished man, and he felt better for it.
While the stage was covering the last mile, Zorro asked the young woman, "How long did I sleep, by the way?"
"All afternoon, señor. I would guess about five or so hours. It will soon be dark," she replied. "I do hope you are feeling better." Then she laughed lightly, "You even slept through a changing of horses, señor."
Zorro laughed with her, her humor was infectious. "I do feel much better," he answered. "And I thank you for your hospitality. Patrón," he spoke respectfully to the old man, "I am truly sorry for my rudeness earlier. Please forgive me."
"Pretty words coming from a common bandit and thief," the old man huffed. "I still believe you should be treated as a criminal and not as an honored guest on this coach. Maybe I will yet get a chance to see your execution."
Zorro saw no point in verbally sparring with the old caballero. "Perhaps you will, patrón." The coach came to a stop and Zorro slipped out the side closest to the wall of the inn. Quickly making his way around the back and towards the stable, he realized the old man was right in one thing; he was going to be a common thief. He had to have a horse.
Slipping into the stable, Zorro checked out the animals. Most were coach horses, which were strong, but he needed something quick and agile. Near the end of the line of stalls, he was astonished to see his own horse. Tejas had been well taken care of; he was brushed and fed. An old saddle in the corner of the tack area caught his eye. It was so small he assumed it was an Englishman's saddle. He didn't have time to be particular. Zorro quickly saddled his horse.
As he was slipping on the bridle, the stage driver approached. "Señor Zorro, you must leave. The old patrón is spreading the word you are here." He glanced at Zorro's choice. "A good horse, señor, but I have been told it belongs to a hacendado in Los Angeles, the de la Vega's. They might be upset if they found it had been stolen while in our care, but I think you have greater need right now."
Zorro realized the driver's worry would not be the reason for upset at the hacienda. Father would be worried sick wondering what had happened. All the more reason to hurry. "Would you open the door, por favor?"
The driver did so and Zorro led the horse out as discreetly as he could. The driver closed the door and walked back to the inn. Zorro heard a noise from around the corner of the building and saw Bernardo motioning. Leading the horse around the corner to where Bernardo was waiting, and seeing no one else, Zorro pulled the government papers out of his sash and handed them to the manservant. "Somewhat the worse for wear, but make sure you get them to Father. Some are from the governor's office." He noticed a look of surprise on Bernardo's face as he saw Tejas and Zorro laughed. "Don't be so surprised. I am only half a horse thief. I stole the saddle and it is such a tiny thing that I believe it will not be missed. Apparently Tejas showed up near here earlier. Your horse was well used, but she should make it home soon, just minus some shoes." Bernardo looked puzzled. "A long story, but one of the shoes was defective and that was how I was being tracked. She will lead no one to the hacienda, now."
Zorro continued. "I have been warned to make haste. As soon as you get to Los Angeles, please inform Father I am all right. They sent word about finding my horse and, well, you know how he is." Bernardo nodded and studied his patrón with a worried look. "Bernardo, I will be fine. Stop worrying." The outlaw assured him by putting his arm around the smaller man's shoulder. "It will work out, my friend. A man could not have a better compadre."
Zorro started to swing into the saddle. The stirrups were just bits of metal and adjusted too short as well, so he made a short, running leap and vaulted onto Tejas' back. The stirrups could be adjusted when he was well away from the station. The gelding was well trained to respond to leg commands with full tack or without.
He heard a commotion from the inn. Numerous vaqueros and caballeros were milling around the old man from the stage. Some were preparing their horses for pursuit. Sighting him, one of the men raised a shout. The outlaw booted Tejas into a gallop and the horse leaped ahead. There was no doubt in Zorro's mind that once he reached the open highway, he would be able to elude these pursuers, especially since some of them were inebriated. Zorro was startled by a pistol shot ahead of him. He felt a burning sensation on the outside of his left arm.
Zorro shouted to Tejas to increase his speed. Directly in front of him, Señor Wheeler and a young vaquero were attempting to block his way. Their horses looked winded, but still capable of stopping him. They had guessed his mode of transportation and destination. If it had been full daylight, he would have chanced finding a path among the rocky outcroppings, but he could not risk that in the evening dusk.
The outlaw decided his sword would be useless and pulled out the damaged knife from his sash. A shot from behind was too close. Holding the knife between his teeth, Zorro jerked out his pistol and fired at the closest man behind him. His pursuers were more careful now as their comrade fell moaning to the ground. Shoving the pistol back in his sash, he concentrated on the confrontation ahead of him.
Tejas was at full gallop by now and Zorro decided the best course of action was a direct assault. The vaquero was busy trying to reload his pistol and was unprepared for a large horse ramming into his mount. The young man was dumped on the ground, unconscious. Wheeler was undeterred by Zorro's headlong rush, and turned his horse to block the gelding's impetus.
The palomino skidded to a halt and reared. Zorro clamped his legs tightly against the horse's side as Wheeler aimed his pistol point blank at his head.
"Now, I will kill you; you devil from hell." He laughed hysterically.
"Señor," Zorro shouted, "How many men has it taken you to get to this point? You have not put me into the ground yet and I have no intention of letting you do so now." Zorro's recourse was to ride in as close as he could and slash out with his knife. A line of blood appeared down Paulo Wheeler's arm, although it was not enough for him to drop his weapon. Zorro guided Tejas even closer and slashed again. Wheeler roared with anger. His fingers tightened their grip on the pistol before he could aim.
The weapon discharged and a searing flame of pain shot up the outlaw's right leg from his foot to his back. With a cry of rage and agony, Zorro closed his fingers tightly around the handle of the knife and slammed his fist into the side of Wheeler's jaw, dumping him onto the trail, unconscious.
Shoving the knife back in his sash, Zorro drew his pistol and pointed it at Wheeler's head, forgetting it was empty. The pain kept slicing its way up his leg with every jolt the nervous horse was making. But even in pain and anger, Zorro couldn't shoot an unconscious man. Urging Tejas toward the highway, he ran his two antagonists' horses before him, galloping south towards home.
The innkeeper ordered several vaqueros to carry the unconscious and wounded men into the inn. Bernardo had been witness to the entire scene and was desperately afraid for his patrón. He had heard the second pistol shot and seen Zorro knock his attacker out of the saddle. The manservant was shocked when Don Diego drew his pistol on the unconscious man, something Zorro never did.
Bernardo drew the only conclusion he could… the ball had hit its target and shock had nearly driven his patrón to do something he would otherwise never consider. The mozo ran to the place of the fight, praying he was wrong. When he got there Bernardo found a small, dark area in the dust, which he knew was blood. Looking up the highway he saw a few more droplets in the dust. Perceiving the same thing he did, several mounted men saw an easy way to earn two thousand pesos and galloped down the King's Highway in pursuit of Zorro.
Bernardo felt a touch on his arm. Anna Teresa looked concerned, and he realized she had also seen the confrontation. "He was shot, wasn't he?" she asked and went through the motions for Bernardo to understand. Despairing, he just nodded. She made motions again, that of two close friends.
"You really like this Zorro, don't you?" she asked.
Bernardo made the sign of the "Z" and nodded. Suddenly he had an idea. He quickly motioned to the señorita what he had in mind.
She had to make him slow down, but when he went through the motions again she understood. "So you want to rent a horse and try to follow Zorro and help him."
Bernardo opened his pouch. Only a few pesos remained. Anna Teresa understood. "I have enough to help you." She opened her purse and showed Bernardo, then grabbed his hand and they ran to the stable master.
The only animal available was an old coach horse. The man was happy to rent the horse. Glaring at the old nag in frustration, Bernardo had no choice but to accept the animal. With Anna Teresa's help, Bernardo was able to secure a saddle also. Mounting the old horse, Bernardo turned in the direction Zorro had fled, fervently praying his patrón would be able to elude his pursuers until he could find and help him.
