Loius L'Amour Fair_Blows_the_Wind_v1.0

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The general shrugged. "I ask only to serve. When we lack for government or
army of our own, some of us must needs find careers where we can. I am loyal
toSpain because it isSpain that gave me opportunity to be so. But you are
right. Those who do not wish to be bothered with service to their country soon
find there are others only too willing to occupy the places they shun. Those
who shunned service soon become the servants rather than the masters."
Suddenly I was restless. Too long had I remained inactive and I wished to be
about my business. I was never one who could spend my days in social activity,
no matter how pleasant. I said as much.
"Soon," O'Connor said. "We are preparing now to send men to theLowlands . I
shall see that you are among the first to go." He paused then, walking to the
window that overlooked the narrow street. "You know," he suggested, "there are
worse lives than this. You have started well. You have made a place for
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yourself here.
"Don Vicente likes you. You are important to him as evidence of his first
success, but he obviously likes you personally, as does his family. They have
great power here, and I am sure your every success would be considered a
success of their own."
"That may be as you suggest," I replied, "but my future must be elsewhere. I
must return to my own country."
"Sooner or later they would find you out."
"That may be, but there I must go. I will serve with you, and serve you well,
but sooner or later I must return toIreland ."
"Very well." He buckled his sword. "It is time for me to go. You are meeting
Don Vicente?"
"I am. We are going to some races. I "
"A moment!" O'Connor lifted a hand. "I have been meaning to warn you. There
are family feuds here inSpain as well as inIreland , and Don Vicente and his
family have enemies. Only last night one of my people informed me that Don
Vicente is in grave danger.
"He is fiercely proud, as are allhidalgos. His enemies intend to destroy him,
and with him the pride of his family. For as you know, he is an only child."
"Destroy him? How?"
"One of their number is DonFernandSarmiento . He is one of the finest
swordsmen inSpain , and lately returned toSpain fromFrance , where I
understand he killed two men in duels. For one reason or another, he is
desperate to establish a pretext for challenging Don Vicente."
"You are sure of this?"
"I am. One of the principal ways of remaining secure in a country not your
own is to be aware, to know where the power lies, and what moves are being
made. Long ago I established my own lines of communication. Believe me, my
information is reliable."
I considered what General O'Connor had said and debated what best I might do.
Warn my friend? That would do no good, for his pride was such that he would
not flee from danger, or even try to avoid it. In fact, to warn him might only
precipitate the situation I would be trying to avoid.
I had fenced much with Don Vicente, and held my skill from sight, careful not
to seem too proficient, but to let him have the better of me at times. After
all, he was my friend, and what had I to gain by proving myself better than
he? With a skillful swordsman for an enemy, Don Vicente would have no chance
at all.
The place we had elected to start out for the races could scarcely have been
worse. It was at the top of theCalle Mayor where stood thechurchofSan Felipe
el Real, where people of the arts writers, painters, dramatists, and others of
the theater were wont to meet. Mingled with them were young gallants of the
town, soldiers home from the war and many another who called himself soldier
but who avoided any battle other than those found in taverns or boudoirs.
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Standing there, awaiting Don Vicente's arrival, I listened to the talk and
laughter, the witticisms and attempts at such with only a piece of my mind.
Rather, I wondered what it was I should do.
Don Vicente's conduct toward me had been most courteous. Without his
influence I should have been in prison or pulling an oar in a galley.
Suddenly I heard a strange voice behind me. "Luis? This is my friend
DonFernandSarmiento ."
"A pleasure,se�or !" said the man named Luis. "You are to be inMadrid for
long?"
"A few days only. I regret, but it is true. A small mission here, and then I
shall return toMalaga ." Another voice broke in. "Quiet now! He comes." And
indeed I saw Don Vicente approaching. They must have known of his coming, and
been awaiting him here. He must often come this way ... that might be it. But
there might also be a spy in his household, someone in Vicente's own
establishment. Yet the servants whom I knew were fiercely loyal, or seemed to
be.
Don Vicente came up the steps. "Tatt! You are here before me! I am sorry, for
I would not have you wait."
"Think nothing of it," I said. "Down the street there is a place "
DonFernand had turned sharply, bumping into Don Vicente. Instantly, I stepped
between them. "Se�or!" I spoke sharply. "You are rude!"
For a moment he hesitated, his eyes going from Don Vicente to me. It was
Vicente with whom he wanted to quarrel, not I.
He was a narrow-visagedman with piercing black eyes and a face somewhat
pocked, a lean and savage man. "Out of my way!" he said. "I have no business
with you!"
"But you do,se�or . And you have a sword with which to conduct it."
Trapped, he glared at me. Dropping his hand to the hilt of his sword, he
spoke in what he meant to be a menacing tone. "Once more,se�or , I command
you,Step aside ! I do not wish to kill you!"
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"Have no worries,se�or . It will be my pleasure to see that you do not."
He frowned, furious, yet hesitant. It was Don Vicente whom he intended to
kill. Who in God's name was I, this interloper, this stranger?
"Who are you?" he said. "I know you not!"
"CaptainTatton Chantry,se�or . At your service,if you are not a coward? "
"Acoward? For that I'll !"
"But not on the steps of a church,se�or . There must be a secluded corner [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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