Chapter 10
Days later….
Diego and his father sat in Victoria's tavern eagerly hoping that today was the day that Don Eduardo would arrive to investigate the goings on in Los Angeles. They had not heard from him and prayed that he had not forgotten…
"Please to meet you, Sergeant," the man stated as he descended from his horse, "it has been a long journey. Where can my friends and find accommodations? We are not from Los Angeles, but we have heard a lot about it…."
The sergeant looked at the man and his friends...The older man appeared to be a man of means accompanied by his vaqueros. "Victoria's Tavern is a very good place to stay. I am sure that you will find that it is very comfortable…I am Sergeant Jaime Mendoza. Permit me to welcome you and your friends to our pueblo de Los Angeles...First, I am afraid that I have to collect the traveler's tax. There is a slight traveler's tax on all tourists…"
"Traveler's tax? This is preposterous! I have never heard of such a thing…How much is it, Sergeant?
"I am under orders to collect it. I apologize…Five pesos. It's not much but it adds up."
"The Alcalde becomes very angry and that is not a pretty sight, Señor," Mendoza admitted
"And what if one refuses to pay such a tax," Don Eduardo stated as he spotted the de la Vegas coming out of the tavern.
Diego and Alejandro glanced at their friend. The younger caballero forestalled his father's reply...Maybe it is part of his plan, Diego thought….
"Believe me, Señor, the traveler's tax is nothing compared to the death tax. My men are highly trained lancers."
''Sergeant, this is ridiculous. These men are strangers to Los Angeles," Victoria interrupted, "If the government could, they would tax the very air that we breathe."
"Actually, the Alcalde is working on something," Mendoza stated.
"Victoria…Excuse me…Sir, I'll be happy to pay your traveler's tax," Diego reached into his pocket for the needed amount of money.
"Excellent thought, Don Diego. There is no sense in anyone getting hurt. I would have hated to arrest this man," the sergeant confessed
"Thank you, Senor...Don Diego…I am in your debt…and you must be, Victoria," he said as he greeted the young woman, "I am Eduardo Hernandez and these are my vaqueros. I heard that your tavern is the finest in Los Angeles."
Victoria smiled at the man's compliments. "I am honored, Senor. Would you and your vaqueros like something to eat? I have rooms available if you plan on staying for a while…"
"We are, Señorita," he responded, "would you join me, young man? I would like to repay this you for your kindness…"
"My name is Diego de la Vega and this is my father, Don Alejandro de la Vega," the younger man went along with the ruse, "welcome to Los Angeles."
The alcalde's office…
"Oh si, mi alcalde. A Senor Hernandez and a group of vaqueros…Don Diego paid the traveler's tax for them," Mendoza placed the coins on the desk…
"What do you know about the man, Sergeant," Ramón frowned although he was pleased to collect the money...
"They are just passing through Los Angeles…"
"Find out all you can about this...Senor Hernandez... and what they are doing here," the alcalde smirked, "to be forewarned is to be forearmed…"
"Si, mi alcalde…I will work on it right away," Mendoza saluted his superior officer.
"Senor Hernandez…I am sorry about having to collect the traveler's tax from you this morning," Mendoza walked up to his table, "I hope that you and your friends will enjoy your stay in Los Angeles."
"Thank you…Sergeant…Mendoza, is it," Eduardo replied, "We are just passing through...I have heard quite a bit about Los Angeles...I wonder if I will see this notorious outlaw called Zorro…"
"Only if the alcalde is causing trouble," Victoria interrupted, "you know that it is true, Mendoza. Zorro is not an outlaw, in my opinion...he fights for the people..."
"Si, Senorita Victoria...you know how the alcalde gets. I…I must be going…there is work to be done," he said hurriedly.
"Don't judge Mendoza too harshly. He was only following orders," Victoria stated, "honestly speaking, the sergeant secretly admires Zorro..."
"In order to keep his position, he must follow orders whether he likes them or not...This pueblo needs taxes to make life easier for the people who live here."
"I don't object to paying taxes if they are used correctly…but when they are used to pay for the alcalde's new boots or to buy a hacienda…the government is supposed to serve the people not abuse them."
"I admire your honesty and your candor, Senorita. Why haven't you voiced these concerns before…to the governor."
"We have sent letters in the past…Los Angeles is a small pueblo," Victoria confessed, "when someone like Don Alejandro cannot be heard then what hope is there for the rest of us…"
"Don't give up hope, Senorita. Change takes time…"
"I won't give up, hope. As long as we have good men like Don Alejandro…and Zorro then I won't…"
"This Zorro was declared an outlaw by the government. He has a bounty on his head...what was he done to earn such a designation," the older man stated. I want to find out her opinion on this as well…
"Zorro would not be needed if the government was not corrupt…He is one man, but he has done a lot of good for the pueblo…he is the only man willing to stand up against the alcalde...for the good of the people..."
The older man thoughtfully considered Victoria's words. Things are just as Alejandro said…The evidence against the alcalde was piling up…It is definitely time for a change….