Chapter 2

The following days were peaceful. The alcalde had apparently decided to take it easy for a while and not worry about who had and who hadn't paid the taxes on time.
After Diego and Felipe spent an entire day checking the fences on the west side of their property, even his father was pleased for the moment.
The lancers dutifully made their patrols and encountered nothing out of the ordinary. And even the weather seemed to cooperate with a constant light breeze.

Diego had plenty of time to work on the next edition of the Guardian and pay another visit to the orphanage. He explained to Padre Benitez what his idea was, and the padre agreed happily. And that's why Paco, Felipe, and Diego spent an afternoon together. Diego asked the boy to take off his shoes and walk up and down the room a few times.

"Paco, it seems like your right leg is a bit shorter than your left. That's why it's harder for you to walk." He explained to the boy.
Diego estimated that it was nearly two inches. He picked up a few pieces of wood, all having different thicknesses, that he had brought from home.
"Paco, will you stand against the wall, please." After several attempts, Diego could make a combination of pieces so that Paco stood, no longer crooked. "Maybe if we get you different shoes with one sole made thicker, you'll be able to walk better."

"That won't work, Don Diego." the boy stammered as he stared out in front of himself, seemingly emotionless.

"And why not?" Diego wanted to know.

The boy's voice faltered as he explained why what the don suggested seemed impossible to him. "We never get new shoes, but always the shoes that no longer fit the older children. Or, very occasionally, shoes that people donate because their children no longer fit them. They cannot walk in shoes with a thicker sole."

Diego looked at the boy and smiled reassuringly. The boy was worried about nothing. He would happily buy a pair of special shoes for the boy. "We could have new shoes made for you?" he therefore suggested.

"New shoes? For me?" For a moment, Paco sounded thrilled with excitement as his mouth dropped open in surprise. The next second he had regained controlling his emotions. "That costs way too much money. And then only I can wear them, and nobody else. I can't ask the padre for that. He does his best to take good care of us. No, I don't want that. So much money better can be spent on some new clothes for the smaller children. Those wear out so quickly." Paco swallowed and stood as straight as he could when he said. "It doesn't matter, don Diego. I don't mind that I can't run."

Diego was in doubt. From his view, the solution was basically simple. But he admired and wanted to respect Paco, his sincerity and pride.
He began to grin as an idea came to him naturally. "I have a business proposition for you. What if you can earn yourself the money to buy shoes?" he suggested to the boy.

There was that bright shine running over his face, only to realize it was an illusion. "But who wants to pay me? Everyone thinks I can't do anything because I can't walk well."

"Can you sweep a floor, wash dishes and carry firewood? I know Señorita Escalante is looking for a helper for Saturday. Let me talk to her. I think she'll be willing to pay you two pesos a day."

"Two pesos!" It sounded like an immense amount to Paco. "And how expensive are shoes?" was his next question as his enthusiasm waned a little, and Diego saw by the boy's face that he had trouble controlling his enthusiasm over the idea.

Diego tried to answer as honest as possible, "I don't know exactly, but we'll figure that one out. Let me loan you the money, and you pay me back when señorita Escalante give you your salary. If you want to be able to work hard, you must also be able to walk well." Paco wanted to say something.
"Paco, I don't want to hear anything else. If the padre agrees, we'll go to my shoemaker in Santa Paula as soon as possible. In fact, I was planning on going anyway. I can use some new shoes myself." That last part was a lie, but Diego wanted to help the boy as soon as possible.

The boy hesitated, in the end, finally reaching out his hand. "That's fine, but only if I have a job. And I'm going to pay you back every centavo, don Diego."

Diego couldn't resist the temptation to run his hand through Paco's hair. "Paco, I don't expect anything else."

After lunch in the tavern, Diego walked to the counter where Victoria was cleaning glasses. "And don Diego, was everything to your liking?" she asked, looking up from her activities for a moment.

"It was perfect, as always."
Victoria had been walking up and down the room, serving customers all the time. And it had distracted him so much that he had no idea what had been on his plate. He vaguely remembered that it might have been an empanada.

Diego placed 30 pesos on the counter. Victoria looked amazed at the amount of money.
"Diego, isn't this a bit much for a simple lunch? Or," Victoria tried to joke. "Are you planning to buy lunch for the whole garrison next to Mendoza?" Victoria used to the generous tips the don always gave her, but this was way too much.

Diego shook his head. "Let me explain. Victoria, do you remember a few days ago, you suggested you could use some help on Saturdays?"

"Um, yes. Are you applying?"

"No, but that boy I told you about, Paco, is his name. According to both the padre and Felipe, he is a friendly, helpful boy. He has a hard time walking because one leg is shorter."

"Yes, I remember." Victoria was not sure if she understood what Diego wanted of her.

"Victoria, you suggested that Paco might work here so that people can see the things he can do. And I think you are right. Once people see he can do everything, he might have a chance to get adopted. And I might even have a solution for his walking. I believe that by having special shoes made, he can walk normally."

"That would be nice." agreed Victoria, reaching out to put away a glass. "But what does that have to do with all this money?"

"In addition to being friendly, Paco is also thoughtful and proud. He does not want the padre to buy him expensive shoes that the other children cannot wear after him. He also does not want to accept them as a gift from me."

"I still don't get it."

Diego continued with a slight apology. Perhaps he had been too hasty in telling Paco that he could work in the tavern, and Victoria had changed her mind. "Well, I told him he might be able to work here, like you suggested. He could help with food prep, washing dishes, sweeping, getting firewood, that sort of thing. And I said you might be willing to pay him two pesos a day. That way, he doesn't have to feel guilty because he can buy the shoes with the money he has earned himself."
The glimpse that briefly lit up in her eyes made Diego's heart skip a beat. For a moment, there was that glance that she kept especially for Zorro. It lasted less than a second, but he didn't care.

Victoria gave the don a look of admiration.
Diego often cared about the less fortunate. He was always willing to share his knowledge and advise anyone. It was actually a shame that Diego's interests were only on the passive side. Like just now, he was trying to help a child who everyone else would say had to learn to live with the disability. Diego often had good ideas. She smiled and answered enthusiastically. "What a great idea. I can help Paco, and I immediately get extra help."

Diego gave a small nod in the direction of the money. "So the knife cuts both ways, and therefore the thirty pesos. I estimate that the shoes will cost about twenty-five pesos. That leaves three pesos for my lunch and two as a tip."

Victoria took five pesos from the pile and shoved the rest back toward Diego. "Two pesos a day is reasonable, and I'll gladly pay it to Paco if he's going to save for such a good cause."

Diego picked up about half the money. "Let's do it together. It was my idea, And I don't want to burden you with additional costs."

"Well, all right. We'll do it together," Victoria admitted grudgingly.

Diego greeted Victoria and walked out of the tavern across the plaza straight to the poor box. He then deposited the pesos he had taken from the pile there and walked back to his office.

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Somehow, Victoria had heard that he had promised Paco to travel to Santa Paula together for his new shoes in the short term. The padre probably told her when Victoria went to ask if Paco could work for her on Saturdays. The boy had been ecstatic and grateful that the padre gave his consent. Of course, Diego had already discussed everything beforehand, and the padre was fully aware of the shoe plan.
When Don Alejandro was at the tavern the next day, Victoria had asked him if Diego would mind if she accompanied him and Paco to Santa Paul and preferred to travel in her cart.
She needed fresh supplies, and though she'd rather not admit it, Victoria was always a little hesitant to make the long journey alone. There was always a chance to encounter a less pleasant company who were up to no good.

If this happened, don Diego wouldn't be much use either. But the chance that a man got mugged while travelling was simply smaller than when a woman was travelling alone. And now, Diego was planning to go anyway, she just as well could take the benefit of travelling in company.
Diego was a good friend, and she could get to know Paco a little better along the way, was what she told the don.

And Alejandro saw more advantages in this question that he did not share. He was always worried when his son went on a long journey on his own. Things were going well in the vicinity of the pueblo and the grounds belonging to the hacienda. But his son was had the talent of getting lost on a straight road.
Victoria had a good sense of direction, and the don admitted it did reassure him the tavern owner would not travel alone. The roads in California were dangerous for a single traveller, let alone a woman.

Alejandro, therefore, did not have long to hesitate to make the commitment on behalf of Diego, and Alejandro informed his son that evening that he expected no other than that his son would travel to Santa Paula at a time that best suited Victoria.
Diego, of course, had no objection to it. But he did object for a moment that he would have preferred his father to have discussed it or at least asked.
After two sentences, the older man stopped listening, only muttering that Diego could read a book a day later if he could please a good family friend in such an easy way. After saying that, Alejandro walked out of the library on his way to his office to do some paperwork.

And so early the following Wednesday morning, a horse and wagon stopped in front of the hacienda carrying Victoria and Paco on it.
A journey by wagon was slower than on horseback and would take the entire day to and fro.

Felipe also joined the small travel company and looked forward to visiting the somewhat larger city. Something he didn't have the opportunity to do very often.
And so it happened that this time Victoria travelled to Santa Paula in the company of three men.

Felipe and Paco made themselves as comfortable as possible in the back on a few blankets. And Diego had taken place on the seat next to Victoria, who was driving.

"Don Diego, if you like it better, I don't mind you steering the cart." Victoria started the conversation.

"Why? I think you're doing an excellent job. Besides, we travel with your horse and cart." was Diego's answer.

Victoria shot a glance at the man next to her, then she admitted, "I always feel that most men prefer to steer a cart themselves. It doesn't happen that often you see the woman steer when there is a man around."

"Victoria, I'm not like most men." Diego sounded apologizing, or so Victoria thought to hear in his voice.

"No, you are indeed not." For a moment, Victoria allowed herself to let her mind wander to what her ideal man would look like. In her mind, Diego and Zorro had many outward similarities, though they were so very different inwardly.

Diego wasn't sure whether to take this as a compliment or not.

Paco remarked from the back. "Zorro is also not like most men. Still, I think he would insist on steering himself. If he were on a cart, I mean."

"You can say that, but it isn't," answered Victoria, interrupted her thoughts on hearing her secret lover's name. "I once gave Zorro a lift when Toronado was crippled."

Unnoticed, Felipe made eye contact with Diego.

"Gosh, then he was lucky to meet you and not the alcalde or one of the lancers," Diego remarked casually.

The memory of the event brought a smile to her face. "At that moment, yes. Unfortunately, we encountered a patrol a little later."

Paco, interested in the story, asked. "And then, what happened next?! Did Zorro fight all the lancers and beat them?"

Somehow, Victoria was sorry she had brought up the subject. It was a cherished memory. And for some reason, Victoria always had the idea Diego was uncomfortable when the conversation turned to the local hero. She suspected this was because Zorro reminded Diego of everything he wasn't and never would be. And that could cause friction with his father, who always was complaining about how Diego avoided trouble.
She went on telling what had happened that day. "Oh no, the lancers didn't even see Zorro. He hid under the canvas, and by the time the lancers drove off, Zorro had disappeared without a trace." a regretful sounding sigh escaped her mouth. "Paco, I know you admire Zorro and like to see him fight, but Zorro is not a violent man. He fights if necessary, yes. But if he can prevent it, he always will." Victoria explained to the boy with the knowledge she had gathered about the hero.

Paco seemed slightly disappointed. "So Zorro let you steer the wagon?"

"Yes, indeed he did."

For the rest it was a pleasant journey where they chatted about various topics. About three miles from Santa Paula, the conversation turned to the small town and the plans everyone had.
Diego and Paco would go to the shoemaker first. Assuming it would take some time to get the shoes properly measured.
Victoria would use this time to go to the bank.
And Felipe wanted to look around on his own.

All agreed to have lunch together in one of the local taverns, after which the three men promised to assist Victoria in loading the wagon.

Paco had never been to such a large city and was amazed at the many shops. "This must be the largest city in the world!" he remarked, feeding his eyes.

Patiently, Diego explained that although Santa Paula was larger than Los Angeles, it was small to many other cities.

"And have you ever visited such a city?" the boy wanted to know.

"I even lived and studied in one for years." he confessed to the boy, "Madrid, the capital of Spain, is fabulously beautiful. And many times larger than you can imagine."

Victoria pretended that the subject had difficulty arousing her interest. The truth was that she had dreamed of seeing more of the world, and she had never left the territory.

"But Madrid is very far away. Mexico City is much closer and also has its charms." Diego decided when the wagon arrived at the blacksmith's, where they would leave the horse and cart.
"And Santa Paula is big enough for what we're planning. Will you come with me, Paco?"

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I have trouble estimating the value of money in the series. For instance, a customer was staying at Victoria overnight for 5 pesos. Including breakfast, and eventually, she settled for 2 pesos.
The passenger tax is 5 pesos, and Mendoza earns 10 pesos a week.
But the alcalde paid 400 pesos for a pair of boots without blinking his eyes. So that is about nine monthly salaries from Mendoza. While the horse de Soto bought was 7,000 pesos. (Correct me when I am wrong, it was a lot anyway.)

There was also an episode where two strong men couldn't lift a 6000 pesos bag. But in the end, Zorro managed to lift a 10,000-peso bag effortlessly and even throw it off the roof at Risendo's feet.

In short, it is difficult to make an estimation towards what is a fair, reasonable amount of money for various purchases using what I remember of the series.
So, like in the series, I am just doing what feels right at that moment and hope it seems somewhat believable. ;)

Maybe I'm still missing things that could put me on the right track, but I don't know the series well enough for that.
And because they should have used the real instead of the peso, it doesn't make it any easier to get an impression of the correct amounts.

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