Fathers and Sons Chapter Four: The Old Lion
The two immense bronze lions guarding the entrance to the grounds of the Rancho Montoya gleamed in the mid-afternoon sun as the three partners paused their mounts before passing through.
"Welcome to the old Lion's den," Mano announced. "Sometimes known as the road to hell," he laughed.
Roy stared, open-mouthed and mute, at the lofty sculptures. Two men, one at the base of each statue, stood with rifles, magazines of ammunition draped across their chests. Mano nodded to them and they nodded in return. Buck tipped his hat.
"Buenos dias, Don Manolo," the older and taller man said.
"Buenos dias, Alvarez," Mano replied, then looking at Buck and Roy, "Gentlemen, shall we proceed? Roy, recuerdas? I mean, you remember what I told you, sí?"
"Sure do, Mano. I won't say nuthin to nobody about nuthin."
"Bueno," Mano said. I hope so, muchacho, he thought. I hope so.
Buck grinned.
The three urged their horses down. Roy gasped. A grand white stucco arch crowned a massive wrought iron fence surrounding the largest hacienda he had ever seen. White buildings glittered in the sun. Back of the main house he spotted corrals, a huge stable, barns, out buildings. Roy's mouth stayed open and his eyes remained wide as they rode into the compound. Beyond the arch lay fountains and gardens. A small chapel-distinguishable by a bell and a cross-opened off the central courtyard, across from the hacienda. So much shining white reminded Roy of how Mama used to talk about heaven. Only here they's a lotta fellas got guns, he thought.
In his dining hall, Don Sebastian sat alone at the head of an elegant and massive carved oak table. He raised a silver goblet to his lips, tasting the wine and nodding his approval to the steward who continued pouring as another served the patrón's soup. As the hacendado lifted a spoonful of delicate broth to his mouth, a door opened. Footsteps and voices echoed from the entry alcove of his hacienda. The Don frowned.
"Pepe, what is all that commotion outside?" he asked the white clad servant now standing in the doorway of the dining hall.
"Visitors, Patrón."
"Visitors? At the time of my afternoon meal?"
"Sí Patrón."
"Well send them away! I do not wish…."
"Buenas tardes, Papá!" Manolito called as he brushed past Pepe and paused at the empty chair on his father's left.
"Ay caramba! Never mind Pepe, I believe I know this saddle tramp."
"Gracias, Papá, I, too, am happy to see you as well," Mano smiled and inclined his head. His eyes were tinged with fatigue and a hint of regret. His timing was bad...as usual.
"Manolito, why do you interrupt my meal?
If only once my querido Papá would kill the fatted calf and welcome home the prodigal, Mano thought. At least act happy to see me. Eh. So it goes. I am still a disappointment to him.
"Sorry, Papá, but we had no choice. We were attacked by comancheros last night on our way here, and we had to leave camp in a hurry."
"Banditos! Again?"
Mano smiled a tight-lipped thin smile that didn't reach his eyes. Papá always knew just what to say to goad him, like spurring a fine horse.
"Papá I would like to present Roy Lauder to you. Roy is a friend. Buck, you already know."
"Señor Lauder, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Señor Cannon, it is good to see you again."
"Thank you, Don Sebastian. It's good to see you too, sir," Buck replied.
Roy nodded but said nothing. His eyes widened and his mouth hung open. The magnificence of the hacienda and the grand old man occasioned only wonder. This here's Mano's daddy, he thought. I ain't never seen nobody as fine as this. Look at all that shiny silver an' purty pictures an' things. He did not move or even blink.
Who is this idiot? Don Sebastian thought, his brow furrowing as he looked at Roy for several seconds and then glanced at Buck as if to enquire.
"You will please join me, gentlemen," Don Sebastian said at last.
"Roy, permiso. Come in and sit here." Mano indicated a chair upholstered in gold brocade beside his at the huge table. Buck pulled out a chair opposite, to the right of Don Sebastian, and settling his frame, removed his hat and placed it on the chair beside him. Servants scurried in with cutlery, china, and linen napkins for the new arrivals. Within moments, bowls of soup on silver chargers appeared in front of them.
"Manolo, since you have arrived in time for this meal, perhaps you would be so kind as to ask the blessing?"
"Papá! Por favor!"
"It is a small thing, a brief prayer before we eat, please?"
"For the food before us, we give thanks and pray God's blessing."
"Thank you, my son."
For some reason his father's expression of gratitude touched Mano more than he thought possible. In these few words, his father's love seemed palpable, and he looked at the old man with tenderness. Suddenly the food needed his full attention and there was only silence while they ate their soup and servants filled their plates and goblets. Silence continued as the food and wine were consumed. Even Buck ate without noise.
"That shore was good, Don Sebastian," Buck said at last. "Thank you." The Don acknowledged the compliment with a courtly nod.
"Gentlemen, let us repair to the salón where the servants will bring us coffee, eh? This way we may sit in some comfort," Don Sebastian stood and gestured toward the doorway as the meal concluded.
Mano, Buck, and Roy followed the old Lion, seating themselves on velvet sofa and chairs while Don Sebastian installed himself in an enormous armchair near the fireplace. Servants brought coffee in delicate bone china cups supported by even more delicate saucers. Roy didn't know what to do with such small, breakable things. He was used to tin cups in the bunkhouse, an' this sure wasn't no bunkhouse. No wonder Mano had such a fine way of talking and dressing. He was from a fancy line of Mexicans, Roy realized.
"So Manolito, what brings you and your friends down to see me this afternoon?" Don Sebastian opened, his tone syrupy.
Why do you have to be so patronizing Papá? Mano thought. You always treat me as if I were still twelve years old, ay yi yi!
"We are here to buy some cattle for John, Papá. He needs about 500 head to replenish the herds, and he wants to be sure we select the best stock, if you are willing to sell."
"Oh-ho! You have been sent to ensure this? You?"
"Sí, Papá, I have been asked to do this thing."
"And what do you know about cattle, may I ask?"
"Oh, Papá!" Mano grimaced, annoyed.
"Uh, Señor Montoya, we would sure be pleased to see some of your fine breeding stock. We know the Montoya bloodline. Course John's mostly interested in what's fer sale but I'd like to see your herds. Could you mebbe show us aroun' some tomorrow?" Buck jumped in, conciliating, flattering the old man. "I'm, uh, sure we could pick up a thing or two jus from seein'."
"Hmmmph." Don Sebastian grunted. "Señor Cannon, I am certain that I can have Rodrigo show you the best of my cattle, but whether you or my son will understand what you are shown is another matter."
"Buck, never mind, amigo, Rodrigo will show us. Obviously, Papá is too busy en este momento. We can ride out with Rodrigo in the morning, early," Mano said. "Gracias, Papá," he added with a hint of sarcasm.
"Well, aw right, Mano, if'n yore shore."
"Seguro que sí!"
"Aw right then. We do that."
"Pepe?" Don Sebastian called, his eyes not leaving his son's.
"Sí, Patrón."
"Please show my guests to their rooms. I am sure they are tired and require rest before we dine this evening. Ensure that the chef understands there will be three more for dinner."
"En seguida, Patrón."
Pepe hurried away to the kitchen, then returned, while Roy looked on with his mouth still open. Mano's pa don't seem too happy about us bein' here, he thought. But he followed the others as Pepe led the way upstairs.
Ay Papá, why do you make things so difficult? If you would only… Mano banished the thought and climbed the stairs with weary steps.
"Amigos, the servants have placed your saddlebags in your rooms. If you wish, you may leave your clothes outside your door and they will clean them for you. You will find dressing gowns-er, robes, hanging in the wardrobes," Mano told Buck and Roy. "You can even arrange to have a bath. I intend to do so after I rest."
Pepe nodded and gestured to a little boy of about ten standing at the end of the hall. "Don Manolo, Paco will attend you. Please, señores, let this one know of any needs you may have." Pepe turned to Paco, "Niño, me vas a buscar si los caballeros desean alguna cosa, entiendes?" The muchacho nodded.
"Hey, Pacquito, ven aqui," Mano exclaimed, smiling as the boy hurried over. He tousled the child's dark hair. "Gentlemen, this is the son of Rodrigo."
"Howdy," Buck grinned.
"Pacquito, no lessons today eh?" Mano enquired.
"Patrón, in the mornings Don Sebastian arranges for the tutor," the boy replied.
"Eh? Bueno, muchacho. Someday you will go to the university, no?" Mano asked with a chuckle.
"Oh no, Don Manolo. Someday I will work for you!"
"Paco, callate!" Pepe scolded. "Do not be stupid."
"Pacquito, I hope you set your sights higher than that, amigo," Mano laughed, giving the boy's cheek a playful cuff. "Gracias, Pepe."
"De nada, Don Manolo," Pepe smiled and gave a slight bow, his affection for Manolito evident. Don Sebastian he admired and respected but he loved Don Manolo, who never failed to be courteous...even when he was drunk.
Roy's mouth gaped even further when Mano showed him into the biggest bedroom he had ever seen-at its center, a huge carved wooden bed piled with blankets and pillows. I'm gonna fall in that bed and never be seen agin! Who sleeps with all that, that, stuff?
"Roy, are you quite well?"
"Er I'm f..f...fine Mano. I jes never seen such a big bed afore."
"Don't worry, Roy, you only have to sleep in it for a couple of nights," Mano added, with a small laugh. "I will be in the room at the end of the hall if you need anything."
"Okay, Mano. I'll be fine, I think."
Mano went next door to check on Buck and found his brother-in-law sitting on the edge of another enormous bed.
"Buck, is something wrong, compadre?"
"Well, I don't rightly know, Mano. I ain't slept here but a few times, but these beds seem awful, aw I dunno, awful fancy for just one person. I ain't never shore whether I should git in or just lay on top."
Mano laughed, "Buck, hombre, you only need to remove your boots and hat. Your clothes, too, might be a good idea. Then get under the covers and sleep. I will wake you before dinner. My room is at the end of the hall."
"If you say so, Mano, I do it."
Mano left him pulling off his boots and looking uncomfortable. Papá why must I feel worse than the guests in my own home? Ay Bendita, Manolo, your Papá is a hard man to understand. He shook his head and sighed. Perhaps that is the way with fathers and sons.