THE BORDER EAGLES

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE CALIFORNIANS PART TWO

Rancho Agua Dulce, 27, July 1849.

The family was up early and after a hearty breakfast began moving the Duarte's possessions into the house. And getting everyone properly settled, including rearranging spaces in the bunkhouse for the vaqueros that came with Don Luis.

Kate, at four months along in her pregnancy was developing a nice baby bump, and Lanie insisted on examining her.

"You're looking good, Catalina, everything looks fine. Are you having any sickness?"

"No, thank goodness. The good Lord has been kind to me as has Saint Margaret. I think that I was so sick with the twins that the powers that be think that was enough. Kate sighed. I hope it continues that way."

Lanie said;

"Well, for most women if they get past the third month the morning sickness goes away or lessens. You just got a head start.

Kate said;

"Lanie we are in California now, we mostly speak English in this house, So, you should call me Katherine or Kate. You're my friend, not a servant. You brought all your herbs and medicines with you, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did."

"Good, you can stay here as long as you want and work out of here, but I think as soon as you get known, set up shop in San Fernando. We will lend you the money to get started."

Lanie hugged Kate and said;

"You are such a lovely friend, Kate. I can't believe my fortune, I get to help another little one into the world and find a good place for myself here with your family and soon my own shop, better than I had in Mexico. I thank you with all my heart."

The next week was spent familiarizing Don Luis and his vaqueros with the rancho and surrounding terrain.

Rancho Chula Vista, San Fernando valley, 02, August 1849.

The rancho was one of the few that Davidson tried to acquire through intimidation and bullying.

Don Alfredo got it back but now wanted to sell out and move to Mexico. He had family in Baja. Rick and Luis were visiting, trying to work out a deal.

Rick and Vincente introduced Don Luis to Don Alfredo. Rick said;

"Don Alfredo Fuentes, May I present my very dear friend Don Luis Duarte. Don Luis wishes to purchase Rancho Chula Vista, and all its' stock at a fair and mutually agreeable price, Don Luis has assured me that the purchase price will be paid in full, in hard currency. Vincente is Don Luis' son and partner. I will now leave you gentlemen to discuss business in private."

Don Alfredo said;

"Thank you, Don Ricardo, but I would be a poor friend if I allowed you to leave without at least a glass of wine."

"I accept, with thanks but one glass only. I have matters of my own that need attention." Rick rode back to Agua Dulce.

The discussion took several hours and a shared meal. Don Luis and Vincente rode in in the late afternoon with expressions of satisfaction on their faces.

"How did it go?"

"It went very well Ricardo. Don Alfredo agreed to sell everything at a price that is fair to both of us. His vaqueros and even his Segundo have agreed to stay on, Especially as I offered them a five percent increase in their wages. Vincente is drawing up the papers tonight.

I will take him the money tomorrow. I must ask you for an escort, just to be safe."

"That's no problem, Luis. Patrick, Sean, And I with four of our vaqueros will escort you."

"Very good. He'll start a round up, tomorrow, so there will be an accurate count of the livestock. He plans to wind up his affairs and be gone in two weeks. We'll begin moving into operations in one week, Don Alfredo will help us with the transition."

Rick said;

"Don Alfredo is a good man. It's a shame that he will leave with a bad impression of most Americans."

Kate said;

"At least he will be thankful for you, my Darling. Without you he would have never got justice."

Rancho Chula Vista, 23, August 1849.

As promised, Rick, Patrick, Sean and four men escorted Don Luis, Vincente carrying the money to Rancho Chula Vista. All the men were heavily armed with rifles and pistols. Rick carrying a coach gun as well as both of his Colt Dragoons.

Don Alfredo and his men had run an honest round up and Don Luis had ended up with about eight hundred, head of cattle and around one hundred horses, most of it very good and some of it, prime stock.

While the house was not as large as the house on Rancho Agua Dulce, it was just as well built. Don Alfredo had left all the furniture and most of the furnishings. All that Luis, Elenora, Vincente and Carlotta had to move in were their beds, sheets and blankets, China and silverware and a couple of good pieces they'd had shipped from Mexico. They had moved in, got well settled and the ranch operations were running smoothly.

Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, 25, September 1849.

Rick and Patrick had been called into Los Angeles to meet with the mayor and the colonel. The colonel said;

"Gentlemen, I don't know if you are aware that there have been reports of cattle rustling from the smaller ranches i8n the county. The large ranches seem to have been left alone because you have enough men to adequately ride herd on your stock. A couple of hotheads have even tried to blame the rustling on the large ranchers. There has been talk of forming vigilance committees and hanging any rustlers caught on the spot. I cannot, I will not allow vigilantes!"

"What do you propose to do about it, colonel?"

"Until a county sheriff is elected and deputies appointed, I want to appoint you acting county sheriff. Pick some deputies from the ranches. The mayor will pick four deputies from the town of Los Angeles.

"No sir, I will not accept that appointment. I have a ranch to run and a family to take care of. Furthermore, you cannot order men to be deputies. You can temporarily deputize men for a specific incident, a posse say, but not for long term assignment.

The militia will continue handling law enforcement as we have been but not forever. We must have a civil government organization."

"Very well, Major you are probably right. Will you help with setting it up?"

"I'm no expert on a civil police force. What I can do is ask around to see if anyone is interested in being deputies.

I have heard serious talk about Statehood, sometime as soon as next year so the groundwork for local government should already be in progress."

"It is, Major, but it's not in place yet."

"As I said, sir. The militia will do its' duty until a civil force takes over."

"You are dismissed, gentlemen."

Rick and Patrick rode back to the ranch, and Rick sent Antonio over to Chula Vista to bring Luis and Vincente to a meeting. He explained the situation. Don Luis said;

"I am not yet too old. I will join the militia as will my vaqueros. That will give you twenty more men."

"We will be glad to have you, it might seem a little disrespectful but I can only commission you as a lieutenant with you Segundo as a sergeant You'll need to pick two corporals."

"It is not disrespectful, Ricardo. You are a soldier. I have never been one. I will learn from you." Rick swore Luis in, gave him a set of rank insignia and one of the Walkers. He had Luis swear in his men.

The next day, Rick, Patrick, Sean and two vaqueros took a wagon and rode to Fort Moore to see the colonel. Rick explained that he had twenty new men and wanted to draw twenty-five of the turned in muskets to equip the men and have a few spares.

The colonel said that he could do better than that. The Dragoons had received a shipment of the new M1847 Cavalry carbines and after only a week of field testing, rejected them, opting to retain their Hall breech loading carbines.

That made the M1847 cavalry carbines surplus to needs, Rick snagged twenty-five of them as well as their cartridge boxes, they were .69 caliber so plenty of ammunition was available. He also was able to wheedle wheel caps and wooden U.S. marked canteens

Rick had heard complaints of musket balls rolling right out of the muzzles of the 1847's. He solved that by acquiring slightly oversize balls and swaging them to the bores then following with a tight patch.

Don Luis had plenty of money to spend, so by the end of the third week his detachment had the designated militia uniform.

The rustling troubles continued to simmer under the surface. The rustlers were clever, striking at night and having the cattle on the move before daylight. The militia patrols had to be rotated so that all the men were involved they had caught six rustlers and recovered some cattle but the thefts continued, obviously a large, well- organized gang or gangs.

Jack Dugan, a Texan, one of the small ranchers was the loudest voices in arguing for a vigilance committee and accusing the large ranchers of the thefts.

He was haranguing a crowd in the Oriental saloon when Rick, Sean, Patrick and four of his men all in militia uniform walked in. Rick fired a blank round at the ceiling. There was instant silence.

"I am Major Richard Rodgers of the California Mounted Volunteers. I am here to inform you that by proclamation of the governor any vigilance committee or other armed group not sanctioned by authority of the governor shall be deemed to be in open rebellion and dealt with accordingly. Or in terms that all of you understand, night riders will be arrested and if they resist will be shot."

Rick then took off his jacket and cap, handed them to Patrick and spoke

"Now I am speaking as plain Richard Rodgers, or as the Californios call me, Don Ricardo. Owner of Rancho Agua Dulce. I have heard that Jack Dugan has been the loudest voice in accusing the large ranchers of rustling, I can speak for Agua Dulce and Chula Vista. As far as that goes, Jack Dugan you are a damned liar."

Dugan was a big man, unshaven and dressed in greasy buckskins. His face red from drinking, his gut hanging over his belt.

"Nobody calls ole Jack Dugan a liar and gets away with it."

"I just did and not just a liar, but a damned liar."

Dugan got a good look at the man calling him a damned liar.

He was even bigger than Dugan and without his jacket it was obvious that he was all hard muscle not the lard belly that Dugan was. Nonetheless, Dugan was just drunk enough to try and attack, anyway. He tried a bull rush with a looping swing of his right hand. Rick easily evaded the rush, ducked under the swing and drove a hard fist into the middle of the gut.

Dugan doubled over, the air rushed out followed by the beer and cheap gin, he'd been drinking. Groaning, Dugan straightened and tried again.

Rick evaded that swing as well and delivered a short chopping blow to Dugan's nose, breaking it. Dugan screamed and put both hands over his face. It was plain for all to see that he was a loudmouth and a bully, but no fighter. All his life he'd relied on his size and noise to bully and bluff.

Now he'd come up a real fighting man. Rick spun Dugan around and delivered a kick to the back of his knee dropping him to the floor.

Rick turned away from Dugan and said;

"Now all you potential vigilantes see what your self-proclaimed leader really is. I will tell you this. I have posted No trespassing signs and put the same in the newspapers, so this is fair warning. All my riders are well armed. Any man caught on my land without my permission will deeply regret it. I speak for Rancho Chula Vista as well.

Rick put his coat and hat on, turned and left the saloon, his men following him.

After they left, Dugan, got to his feet and muttered.

"I'll get him for this. I'll get him."

Randall Griggs, another rancher sneered at Dugan.

"No, you won't, you ain't got the gumption, but if you find it and try, you'll be pushing up daisy's a lot sooner than you figured."

Rancho Agua Dulce, 09, October 1849.

Rick wasn't sure whether the rustlers had spies, in the ranches or it was just luck, there had been no cattle raids for the last two weeks. It was neither. The rustlers figured that if they laid low for a while that the militia patrols would ease off, giving them easier pickings. I t was another case of underestimating your opponent. Rick called a meeting of his officers.

"I am not sure why there has been no rustling the last couple of weeks, but I'm sure it won't last. There is too much of a demand for meat to feed these idiots headed to the gold fields. So, we are going to increase the size of the patrols by one man on each and vary the routes in a random pattern and use a little deception.

Sean, I want you to take a six- man patrol to the north. But run it in an apparently sloppy manner, as if you're getting bored and careless. Have Sergeant Chavez take a four-man patrol out past San Fernando, making sure that they are seen. Then tomorrow night, we send out no patrol at all. Thursday Friday and Saturday nights we send out four patrols, leaving after dark, in civilian clothes. I think that the rustler's greed will overcome caution and they'll try something, even it only a small raid, to test the waters. If they do, I don't want the patrols to attack, merely track them to their hideout and report back. If they raid, we'll hit them in force the following morning at first light. So far, they haven't killed anyone so we won't go in shooting unless they resist. If that happens, we use whatever force is necessary."

Rick's strategy paid off. On Saturday night, five rustlers raided Rancho Cielo Hermosa taking about twenty head of cattle, taking them to La Tuna canyon. Corporal Quinones' patrol spotted them and holding way back traced them to the rustler's camp. One of the men, who knew the canyon scouted the camp without being seen.

He reported that the camp looked to hold between ten and fifteen men and around fifty head of cattle. Leaving one man well-hidden to watch the camp the patrol rode back to the rancho to report what they'd found.

Rick guessed that the rustlers would try to get another twenty-five or thirty head before moving the herd out. Even if it was after midnight, he sent a rider to Don Luis. They would take half of Rick's men and half of Don Luis' men. That would give them a force of twenty armed men. With the element of surprise, easily enough to subdue the outlaws.

The men grumbled about being turned out so late, but by four o'clock they were armed, assembled and rode out. They stopped about half a mile from the camp, near first light. Their watcher joined them and reported that the camp was quiet with only two men to watch. One was sitting by the fire, drinking coffee. The other standing with a rifle in his hands but he'd made the mistake of staring at the fire for a few moments and his night vision was shot. Rick had his men dismount, load their weapons and begin entering the camp. The standing guard heard something, maybe a boot slipping on a rock.

He turned toward the sound and his eyes went wide as he saw a man. He fired at him and missed. The trooper returned fire and didn't miss.

With the shots, all hell broke loose. The outlaws begin scrambling out of their bedrolls, some grabbing guns, others tangled in their blankets had sense enough to lay down. There were a few brief fights but they were quickly over. No one was killed outright, but several outlaws were wounded two, seriously.

A wagon was sent for to take the badly wounded outlaws to San Fernando but the men died before the wagon got halfway back to the small town. There had only been twelve men in the camp to begin with. The two gone, it left ten to be put on their horses and taken in.

The ten remaining outlaws had their hands bound tightly then lashed to the saddles. Rick said;

"You are being taken in for trial. Just be glad that we didn't decide to hang you on the spot. However, if any of you do try to escape, you will be shot down like the curs that you are."

All of the weapons were collected, bedrolls piled up and burned.

Three of the militiamen were left to guard the cattle, Sean and five men were detailed to escort the prisoners to Fort Moore, repeating what he'd said to the rustlers. Orders to shoot to kill if any escape attempt was made.

It was nearly ten o'clock when Rick rode into the rancho. Dead tired. That afternoon, four fresh men were sent out to relieve the guards and drive the cattle to Cielo Hermosa. Where they would be held until the other ranchers who lost cattle could be notified.

The outlaws were put on trial two days after being caught. The judge and another attorney newly arrived from the east, were appointed by the governor to hold civilian trials. The rustlers, among themselves managed to scrape up enough money to hire a lawyer.

Not that he did them much good, there were too many solid witnesses that were on the scene when the rustlers were caught red-handed. The court room was packed to watch the trial. The crowd was a little raucous until the judge threatened to fine the next spectator to make noise ten dollars.

All ten rustlers were found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison, The old presidio in San Francisco had a prison that the Mexican military had used. When the sentence was read, one man burst out;

"Prison? Down in Texas we hang rustlers."

"This isn't Texas, mister and that will cost you ten dollars or twenty days in jail."

The result of the successful capture by the militia and the prison sentences quieted things down for the next couple of months, the local bandits lying low.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 14, December 1849.

It was about three o'clock in the afternoon when Kate called out;

"Lanie, come quickly, my water just broke." Lanie had been staying close to Kate as her due date neared. She ran into the kitchen where Kate was standing awkwardly. Lanie smiled and said;

"Let's get you cleaned up and into bed, Consuelo, come help us. They got Kate up the stairs, undressed and into the bathtub, Warm water had been kept continuously on the stove for the past three days. They got Kate into the tub, bathed and put to bed. Consuelo cleaned up the mess on the kitchen floor. Lanie sent one of the Vaqueros to fetch Rick who had gone over to talk with Don Luis and another to bring the doctor from town. Although Lanie didn't believe he was really needed, she was a very experienced, skilled midwife.

In less than an hour, Rick arrived at the rancho, with Luis, Elenora and Carlotta close behind in a carriage. By the time the doctor was located and brought to the rancho, some six hours later, James Richard Rodgers was cleaned up and happily nursing as his mother's breast.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 17, December 1849.

Rick was busy writing a letter to his family in New York, announcing the birth of his son and advising them that he planned a trip to New York starting Next December, right after Christmas. He wanted to wait for James to be a year old before risking the long trip. He needed the two halves of his family to meet. He knew that his parents would love Kate, the twins and James from the moment they met.

He had written a very long letter explaining is marriage, receiving the rancho and the fact that he wouldn't be returning to New York to live. He had sent the letter with Robert, figuring that it would be the quickest way to get it there. A return letter had finally caught up with him in September of 1848 acknowledging the situation and hoping for a reunion as soon as possible. They had exchanged several letters since each letter taking a month to a month and a half to arrive.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 24-25, December 1849.

Christmas Eve. Luis, Elenora, Vincente and Carlotta had come over to celebrate Christmas Eve with Rick, Kate, the twins and ten days old James. As Tres Arboles had, Agua Dulce had a room that doubled as a chapel when needed. They held the religious observance at midnight. The Duartes stayed overnight.

On Christmas day after breakfast, they gathered around the large pine tree that Rick, Patrick and Sean had gone into the hills, cut down and brought back to serve as the Christmas tree. The tree was sparsely decorated but it was enough to remind Rick of the Christmases in New York. Patrick, Consuelo Sean and Lanie were included with the family. In The afternoon a Christmas fiesta was held for the vaqueros and their families from both ranchos, The vaqueros taking turns. One group watching the cattle while the others ate. Rick and Luis sharing the cost of the food and drinks.

In the evening the family held Christmas dinner. Or should a feast would be a better term There was a beef roast, a pork roast, potatoes, a salad, rice and tamales. Kate baked and apple pie and Consuelo made flan. Local made wine and a very good local beer were available as was coffee and chocolate.

After supper the men gathered for cigars (In Rick's case a pipe) and brandy while the women enjoyed tea and conversation. The men were discussing the political situation. It was obvious that California would become a state within a year. Rick had been asked to run for county sheriff, which he had declined, for the same reasons that he'd refused the appointment by the military government. He was then asked to run as a legislator, which he also declined. He voted, but other than that, avoided politics.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 02, January 1850.

Rick wasn't up as early as he usually was. He'd slept in, recovering from New Year's Eve Ball held at Fort Moore followed by a day long New Year's Day fiesta hosted by both ranchos but held at Agua Dulce.

The owner of Rancho Cielo Hermosa. His family and some of his vaqueros attended as did citizens of San Fernando by the end of the day, Rick was exhausted and hung over. I was one of the very few times that he'd over indulged in the very good, strong, locally brewed beer. He hauled himself out of bed when he smelled the fragrance of great coffee. He quickly shed his nightshirt pulled on a pair of pants and a shirt, when Kate came into the room carrying a large mug of coffee on a tray.

"Good morning my Darling. I knew that you would be in a bad mood if you didn't have a cup of coffee after last night. So, drink this, then go have your bath. The water is already hot and waiting. When you have finished your breakfast will be waiting for you. The children and the others have already eaten but I wanted to wait and eat with you."

Rick grumbled but did as Kate ask. He drank the very strong coffee in one long draught, then bathed, shaved and dressed for the day. Kate was waiting for him in the dining room, kissed him then had Consuelo serve their breakfast of huevos rancheros, ham, pan dulce and of course. More coffee. He took his black, hers was heavy with cream and sugar. Breakfast over, Rick took some time with the twins, looked in on a sleeping James then went about the business of running the rancho.

The humans might have had their holidays but the needs of the animals went on unchanged.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 19, April 1850.

Rick opened the letter that he'd received from his parents and almost dropped it as he read. They'd written that rather than wait the year until it was safe for James to travel, Duncan and Martha were coming for a visit that would last several months. Duncan had retired from the Army a few months ago. Robert was moving out to California permanently. Jessica was now Jessica Marten, married to a lieutenant of engineers, stationed at Fortress Monroe.

Duncan's attorney would handle his business affairs while he was away and Duncan's nephew and their housekeeper would take care of the house.

Rick called Kate in to tell here the good news.

"My parents are coming to visit, they'll be here around June first and will stay for the summer, at least. Robert is coming with them and will move out here to live, just like we planned."

"That is wonderful news, I will finally get to meet them. As will the girls. They will be thrilled. She paused. Are you sure that they'll want to be grandparents to the twins?"

"I am sure, Sweetheart. Mother's letters are filled with excitement. She always wanted more girls in the family. Now she'll get three."

"Three?"

"Yes, three. You and the twins. Father always spoiled Jessica a little he will do the same to the twins."

Rancho Agua Dulce, 02 July 1850.

The Rodgers household was preparing for the Independence Day celebration. There would be a band concert, patriotic speeches and fireworks show held at Fort Moore, the whole thing started by a canon salute. In the afternoon, Rick and Luis had gone together to host a barbecue and fiesta, again held at Agua Dulce with several prominent families invited.

Duncan, Martha and Robert had arrived on the second of June and as things were getting a little crowded, Luis offered a room in his house for Robert to stay. It was an advantage for both Robert and Vincente as they would study Blackstone together, eventually setting up the law offices of Duarte and Rodgers.

As predicted, no sooner than Martha met the twins than she accepted them as her own precious granddaughters and within days the twins loved her. James, as the first male grandchild became the apple of his grandparent's eyes.

Los Angeles, 10, September 1850.

The celebration of California's statehood outshone even the Independence Day festivities. More speeches, fireworks, a parade and in the evening, a grand ball. Kate had regained her normally slender figure and was ravishing in an ivory and navy- blue gown Rick wore a black tailcoat over a white satin oat and black trousers. Patrick, Sean, Robert, Vincente and Luis dressed in a similar pattern.

The ladies emulated Kate's dress but in their preferred colors Although the grand ball was a prestigious event a few rowdies managed to crash the gate They fund out, the hard way that most gentlemen were armed. And quite willing to use them,

TBC

Author's note, An Epilogue to follow f you have onest propts send them my way, Trolls will be stompted

Swordwrter