Two weeks ago
Over the next few days a large amount of Serrano Indians arrived at the mission San Gabriel. The wild fire had spread at San Bernardino affecting two thirds of the land, the most fertile around the settlements, and the Serranos knew they could not survive in those conditions. There was not enough space to shelter them all at the main building, and some of them were sent to Los Angeles to be temporarily accommodated at the newly built orphanage.
The Indians were angry and blamed the violent white men who had so forcibly pushed them away from their villages, and they grew increasingly restless when they realized nothing was going to be done about it, their complaints totally ignored by the authorities.
On the other hand, that sudden increase in the number of Indians in the pueblo had caused concern among the white settlers. Some of them were extremely racist, and expressed their opinions about the Indians rather too loudly.
"There are blooming Indians everywhere!" Don Martín complained at the tavern, bitterly.
"Don't be so harsh. You know their land burned completely on that wild fire. We haven't seen a drop of rain in months. Without the help of the Padres they'll die of hunger. It is not their fault," Don Alejandro said.
"I don't like them. They are thieves, murderers, and vicious filthy people. I hope they go away soon, for good," Don Manuel said.
"They are also motivated, disciplined hard workers. I have seen them at work, and they could be an excellent addition to our farms if we give them a chance," Don Alejandro interceded again.
"They are savages, up to no good," Don José stated.
Irritated, Don Alejandro gave up and moved away from the other dons to sit at a table with his son.
"Diego, I don't like the situation with the Indians. People are bitter, and they may turn violent."
"I know. I am worried too."
Since he had witnessed the fire last week, Diego had been wondering who was behind it, as he doubted it was due to natural causes. Unable to figure out what was happening, he suspected the presence of gold would be at the centre of it. Besides, the Indians had complained about some mysterious white men who had pushed them away from their villages before the fire started.
"However, Father, there is not much we can do at the moment. Let's hope people will get used to them."
"Yes, let's hope so, because if I hear any more senseless racist complaints, I am going to lose my good temper," Don Alejandro said with clenched fists.
"Calm down, Don Alejandro," Victoria said. She had approached them with two glasses of orange juice in a tray, hearing the last bit of the conversation. "People will soon realize the Indians are harmless. No need to worry so much."
"Thank you, Victoria. You are such an optimist," Don Alejandro said taking the glasses. It was quite hot inside the tavern, and Victoria was sweating again.
"It is so hot in here!" she complained. Affectedly, she wiped her forehead with delicate touches with the back of her hand.
Diego couldn't help but laugh when he recalled the other night and how resolutely she had sorted out the same problem then.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said, rather too fast to sound true. Victoria looked at him suspiciously, and she was about to say something when Pilar called her from the counter. Victoria walked away then, looking a bit cross.
"What's the matter with her?" Don Alejandro asked.
"I don't know," Diego said feigning ignorance, shrugging his shoulders. "Women…"
"Yes, Son, as if you knew about them," Don Alejandro teased, tapping Diego's arm.
ZZZ
Don Alfonso was delighted with the situation. The fire at the Indian settlement went out of control through the extremely dry vegetation, and the trio of conspirators and the rest of the men had to abandon the mountains in a rush to avoid being surrounded by the flames. After the initial fear for his own life and the anger at his men's clumsiness, Don Alfonso realized that a scorched barred land could be the perfect excuse he needed to buy it, and he welcomed the mishap.
A few days later he was at San Gabriel, offering to buy the land. Thanks to the disaster, he could even make the Padres believe he was a charitable man, rather than a scoundrel.
"But that land belongs to the Church, it is not an asset of the Mission," Padre Fernández said at the San Gabriel Mission. "I don't have the authority to dispose of it so easily."
"Yes, I am aware of that. My offer to buy such a useless plot of land is my humble way to serve of assistance to these poor Indians. You know it will take many years for that land to be fertile again, especially in the draught conditions be are suffering at the moment."
"I can see your point, and I agree, Don Alfonso, but I need to confirm with the Padre Superior if this arrangement is possible. After all, the land grant was given to us by the King of Spain."
"I am sure the Padre Superior is a wise man and will realize this is a golden opportunity to increase the much needed funds for the Mission. Sadly for the Catholic Church, Ecclesiastical confiscation and expropriation of land and properties is a reality in Spain at the moment, which will soon reach California. My offer won't stand for long. If I wait, I may get the same land for next to nothing," he said, extremely calmed.
Padre Fernández didn't like the not so veiled threat in Don Alfonso's words, but he knew that man was right. The government in Spain was expropriating the Church's land all too easily nowadays, and similar laws and edits were probably on their way to the colonies. However, the Padre could sense the overweight don was hiding his real motivations, and dismissed him with the promise he would try his best to accommodate his demands.
ZZZ
The De la Vegas visited the mission to offer their help. The school and orphanage building had been completed just in time to accommodate the newly arrived Serrano Indians, who were packed in the small space, not intended for such large number of adult dwellers.
Diego spotted the little boy in the crowd and saluted him.
"Hello. How are you?"
"Fine, thank you," the boy answered politely.
"Do you remember me? I helped you the other day to carry the logs," Diego said. The little boy nodded, smiling. "I see you have finished the fence. It looks nice, and strong as well."
"My father good builder," the boy said, swollen with pride.
"Is he also good with crafts? Can he make weaved baskets?"
"Yes. Baskets. Good baskets," the boy said with a radiant smile.
"Can he make collars too, like that pretty one you are wearing? I like it. Did he make it for you?" Diego asked, trying too hard to sound casual.
The smile disappeared from the little boy's face when he realized he was still wearing the collar for everybody to see, against the chief's wishes. He quickly hid the precious collar under his tunic once again, then shook his head and ran away, leaving Diego perplexed. The boy had obviously been told to keep the gold out of sight from strangers.
ZZZ
Oliver entered the alcalde's office carrying a small chest.
"Alcalde, Don Alfonso has reconsidered his offer. Even a tenth of the profits seems an excessive amount now that he is negotiating to buy the land from the Padres himself. He can offer the contents of this chest if you can provide the deeds any faster."
"Very well. Open it," the alcalde ordered. The small pieces of gold glittered in his greedy eyes when Oliver opened the lid. "Where did he find this? In San Bernardino?"
"Don Alfonso travelled from Mexico to California carrying gold as a better currency rather than money or Mexican Bonds, of course," Oliver said, thinking fast. "He didn't find this anywhere. This is a small part of his personal fortune. The rest is in the bank."
Although this was partially true, and in any other circumstances payment in gold would have been acceptable, trying to bribe such a devious person with gold had been an unfortunate mistake in the current situation. The alcalde already looked suspicious.
"Of course," the alcalde said, incredulous. Gold. That has to be the reason why the portly don wants to get hold of the rights for that useless land in San Bernardino, he thought.
"I think I can help you. Tell him I accept his offer, and I will get a document to prove he is the new owner of that land," the alcalde said then, although he had no intention whatsoever to do so.
ZZZ
The citizens of Los Angeles had become increasingly uneasy and resentful with the Indians, and vice versa. Diego feared they would attack violently at the slightest provocation, so he travelled to the pueblo as Zorro to try to calm them down. As he feared, when he arrived to the pueblo there was an angry mob surrounding the church and mission grounds.
"Zorro, please, put a stop to this madness!" Padre Benítez said, relieved to see the masked man approaching. The priest was standing at the church's entrance, which was closed behind him, keeping all the Indians safe inside. All except one, an unfortunate man who was being abused and jostled around by the aggressive crowd at the plaza.
"People of Los Angeles," Zorro called from Toronado's saddle while the stallion paced restlessly, whirling over his hind quarters, ready for action. "You should learn to live in peace and harmony with the original settlers of this land, the Indians. They have been living here much longer than we have. We should be grateful they let the Padres establish the Missions and the colonies in California a while ago so the white men can all enjoy their haciendas today."
"They are thieves! And murderers!" someone in the crowd shouted. A rumour of approval followed.
"There are also bandits, thieves and murderers among the whites. And we don't classify ourselves as such, as a whole. You can't blame an entire population for the actions of some of its members. Who is the thief you are talking about? Who is the murderer?" Zorro asked.
"He is!" Don Martín cried, pushing the Indian forward. He was surrounded by the angry mob, and he looked battered. Zorro recognized him. He was the little boy's father.
"What has he done?"
"He stole my chickens!" Elías Modrego said. He was a well-known merchant who had a small store at the pueblo, with a little corral at the back.
"I did not," the Indian said.
At that moment, the alcalde —who was aware of the abuse at the plaza but had chosen not to intervene— came out of his office to check what had put an end to the commotion. He spotted Zorro in the middle of the crowd.
"Lancers! Come quickly! Zorro is here!" Ramón shouted, going back into his office to get his musket. He reappeared in seconds, followed by a calmed and curious Oliver.
The alcalde aimed at Zorro and, with total disregard for the safety of the crowd, he fired, missing the target. Zorro grabbed the Indian's hand and helped him to climb onto Toronado's back.
"Mind your manners, alcalde," Zorro said mocking him, saluting with his right hand. He urged Toronado to a frantic gallop, and they disappeared quickly out of sight before the lancers had a chance to get ready to chase them.
"I can't believe it! He escaped again!" Ramón cried in a foul mood, throwing his musket to the ground.
"You are doing it wrong. Shoot the horse. It is a much bigger target," Oliver said, casually. "That's what I would do."
"The horse! You are right. That would be easier. Not neat, but feasible. Thank you, good advice. I will try that the next time."
"Happy to help," Oliver said. They came back then into the alcalde's office. "Now, what about the Indians?"
"What about them?"
"We need to do something with them. Stealing those chickens was not enough. If the people of Los Angeles could see the Indians as a real threat, we could use it in our advantage. They could be the ones to drive the savages away for good, not us," Oliver said.
"How do you intent to do that?" the alcalde asked, curious.
"I have a plan. Just give me a bit of time to prepare. I'll let you know when I am ready, because I'll need your help."
ZZZ
The Indian tapped insistently at Zorro's back.
"Have to go back. My son at the mission," he said, pointing to the pueblo.
"I can't take you back while the people are so angry. I am going to take you to the Hacienda de la Vega, where you can hide safely while they calm down. I can go back to the mission to bring your son there with you, if you wish."
"I don't trust white men."
"I am a white man. Do you trust me?"
The Indian nodded, reluctantly. "Yes."
"Diego de la Vega is a good man. You should trust him too, because he will help you. And so will his father, Don Alejandro."
"Don't like white men. Only Padres. Or you. Others are bad, only want to have things and destroy nature. Shot us away from our villages. Then burn our land. Alcalde do nothing," the Indian complained.
"The De la Vegas are different. Give them a chance to prove it."
ZZZ
Don Alejandro was outside watering the geraniums when he spotted Zorro approaching the hacienda.
"Zorro, what are you doing here? Can I help you?" Don Alejandro said at the hacienda's entrance.
"Yes, Don Alejandro. I wonder if you could shelter this Indian at your hacienda until the people of Los Angeles calm down. They accused him of stealing chickens, but I believe he is innocent," Zorro said, helping the Indian to jump off Toronado.
"Yes, of course, Zorro. We have plenty of space here," Don Alejandro said. "Actually, I offered Padre Benítez to shelter some of the Indians here as they are quite crowded at the mission, but he thought it would be better if they stayed together."
"What's your name?" Zorro asked.
The Indian answered in his native language. Zorro and Don Alejandro looked at each other, unable to reproduce the sound.
"Call me…" the Indian said, thinking of a suitable translation. "…Eagle Eye."
"Welcome home, Eagle Eye. Come on in," Don Alejandro said with a broad smile.
"What is your son's name?" Zorro asked.
The Indian answered again in his language.
"Hi…ki…" Zorro hesitated, attempting to say the name. "Never mind. I'll find him," he said, giving up, and turned Toronado urging him to a gallop back to the Pueblo.
ZZZ
After he delivered the delighted boy at the hacienda, Diego changed his clothes and reappeared at the house, pretending to be unaware of the situation. His unsuspecting father welcomed him warmly.
"Ah, Diego. You are finally here. Come, I have to introduce you to our guests. Eagle Eye, this is my son, Diego. And this is…" he stopped, afraid he would not be able to repeat the name correctly. The little boy helped him out, saying his name loud and clear.
"There, that's his name," the old don said, laughing, still unable to pronounce it.
"You can call my son Grasshopper. That his name in your language," his father said in a cold tone, deeply uncomfortable to find out the praised Diego de la Vega was the man interested in the gold in his son's collar. Not a man he could trust. Not at all.
"Nice to meet you, Eagle Eye. Buenas tardes, Grasshopper. How are you?"
"Good, señor. Zorro got me here. I rode Toronado!" he said, excited. Even little Indian boys regarded the masked man as a hero to look up to, an interesting role model.
"Really? How exciting! Zorro was here? Did I miss him again?" Diego asked his father. Will he ever realize he has never seen the pair of us together? he wondered as so many times before. Someday, maybe. But not today.
"Yes, you did. Zorro rescued Eagle Eye from an angry mob at the pueblo and brought him here. And then he went back to collect his son. Where were you all afternoon, Diego?"
"I was at the canyon, collecting some rock samples for my experiment," Diego lied, nonchalantly. "So, you rode on Toronado. Fantastic. You are so lucky. I envy you, young man."
The little boy grinned from ear to ear. His father maintained a serious expression, the distrust easy to see on his face. Diego regretted to mention anything related to collecting rocks.
"Thank you for help, Alejandro. We going now," the Indian said, grabbing his son's hand.
"What? But, why?" Don Alejandro said, perplexed. "I thought you were staying hiding here for a few days."
"We have to go," the Indian insisted.
"If you must… Well, in that case, let me get María to prepare some food for you," Don Alejandro offered, and he headed for the kitchen.
"You don't trust me. I can see that," Diego said after his father left. "But you have nothing to be afraid of. Is the gold in your son's collar what you are worried about?"
The Indian didn't answer, just looked at him with a penetrating gaze, like trying to see into his soul. Maybe that's why they call him Eagle Eye, Diego thought.
"I am worried about the gold in your son's collar too. I am worried some greedy white men can try to get the gold in your land. I think you should learn to mine it yourselves before that happens."
"We don't mine. Gold belongs to Mother Nature. She gives what we need."
"Yes, I know. I guess you collect little pieces from the river. But that could be enough if you get organized. With that money, you could buy protection, and…"
"No need protection," the Indian interrupted.
"Don't you? Someone has already chased you out of your villages and set your land on fire. Are you sure? Even Zorro thought that you needed protection, and he brought you here."
The Indian didn't answer. He continued to look at Diego intently, and walked a few steps around him to look at his back from every angle. It was unnerving, and Diego finally turned around to face him.
"You like black?" the Indian said at last, looking at Diego straight in the eye, not blinking while waiting for an answer.
"What?"
"Black. I think you like black," he said with a hint, lifting his chin up. Diego hesitated for a moment, stiff.
"Yes. I do. Black is my favourite colour," Diego said slowly then, with his eyes still locked on the Indian's.
"Zorro likes black too," the innocent little boy said happily.
"Yes, he does. What a coincidence," Diego said softly, still looking at the boy's father.
"I see. We stay then," the Indian said, breaking eye contact when Don Alejandro reappeared with the supplies.
"Do you? What made you change your mind? I thought you wanted to leave. What's going on?" the old don asked, puzzled. The two men were standing face to face in an awkward position, and he could feel the tension between then.
"Nothing," Diego said, relaxing. "Eagle Eye is worried about the other Indians at the church, but I assured him they will be safe with Padre Benítez."
"That's right, they will. Come on then, I'll show you your room for the night," Don Alejandro said, taking the little boy's hand.
"We'll talk about this later," Diego whispered to the Indian when Don Alejandro left with the boy. "Please don't say anything. My father doesn't know."
The Indian nodded in silence, and they followed the others down the corridor.
ZZZZZ