A Novelization
by Karla Gregory
Synopsis
Capitán Enrique Sanchez Monastario has been expanding his reign of tyranny throughout the region surrounding the pueblo of Los Angeles. Don Nacho Torres dared to speak out against the injustice and found himself a prisoner. He was set free by the masked bandit, El Zorro, and is on his way to seek the help of the Governor in Monterey. His wife and daughter were then taken as prisoners by Monastario and are being held in the cuartel jail. Don Alejandro de la Vega can not just stand by and let two gentle Spanish women lanquish in Monastario’s jail. He is determined to do something about it even to the point of rousing the other dons in the area to attack the cuartel. Diego de la Vega knows this would be suicide and finds himself helpless as Diego to stop the slaughter. As Diego, he must bear the burden of his father’s disappointment in him. But as Zorro, he rides in the night to try and save the dons from being annihilated. Will he succeed and at what price?
Softly the morning light filtered through the trees along the roadside, and the light breeze promised a welcome coolness to the day. The birds were happily singing their love songs to each other and to the world in general. A finely dressed older man was cantering his horse along the road. The rider’s horse was well bred, and it could be observed that he was well trained. Moving at a steady pace, he responded instantly to the slightest wishes of his rider. His eye was lively and he took great interest in everything around him, throwing his ears forward and then back to catch the slightest sounds. The morning light also fell upon a fine herd of cattle grazing on the green hillsides; fine enough to bring pride to the heart of their owner . . . if he had been looking.
Don Alejandro was the rider who traveled through the midst of all of this, but he did not notice the beauty of the morning or his surroundings as he rode to the pueblo. The restless night he had spent thinking about Señora Torres and her daughter being held in the jail cell of Capitán Monastario had done nothing to improve his mood. He felt that he had to do something to help those gentle ladies. Don Nacho had eluded capture with the help of the mystery man known as Zorro and was hopefully on his way to see the Governor and plead his case with his Excellency. But his wife and daughter had now been arrested in his place. What he, Don Alejandro, could do for them he did not yet know, but he had to do something. He had been hoping that Diego would ride in with him this morning, but his servant, Bernardo, indicated that his master was still asleep. Don Alejandro was disappointed, but he did not awaken his son.
“Let him sleep,” he thought. “I cannot wait any longer to go and see those poor unfortunates in the jail.” And so he had ridden alone to the pueblo. His thoughts turned occasionally to wonder just who this Zorro was who had so courageously helped Don Nacho, and he was grieved in his heart when he thought of his own son sleeping the morning away.
As he arrived at the pueblo, the coach to Monterey was just pulling out, and he nodded to the cochero as he rode past. The plaza was busy with people as they went about their daily tasks, drawing water or displaying their wares, but Don Alejandro only spared them a glance. His destination was the cuartel. As he rode up, he saw the sentry posted in front of the closed gates. He dismounted and tied his horse to the post.
Drawing himself up, he presented himself before the sentry with all of the dignity he possessed. “I am Alejandro de la Vega and I’ve come to see Señora and Señorita Torres being held here as prisoners,” he announced.
“I am sorry, Señor,” said the soldier barring his way. “It is the order of the Commandanté that no one speaks to the prisoners.”
Don Alejandro was not in the mood to be denied. Clasping his hands behind his back, he said resolutely, “Kindly inform the Commandanté that this is not a request. It is a demand for legal rights of visitation.”
The soldier hesitated for a moment, but the look in Don Alejandro’s eye convinced him that he should at least inform Sergeant Garcia and let him face the ire of this don. Sergeant Garcia came and opened the gate and took one look at Don Alejandro’s face as the sentry told him of the demand. He decided that he had better take up the matter with the Commandanté. He gave a quick bow in the older man’s direction and made his way to the Commandanté’s office leaving the sentry to endure Don Alejandro’s glares as he waited..
Capitán Monastario had finished his breakfast earlier and was leaning back comfortably on the bench in his office, enjoying a cigar, while Licenciado Piña, the lawyer, was reading a legal document to him out loud. Last night’s escapade with the de la Vega caporal masquerading as Zorro, and his subsequent rescue by the real Zorro, was a fading memory. It did not matter. He still had the two Torres women in his jail and that is what mattered. The document that Licenciado was reading sounded much like music to his ears. He nodded his head in time with the rhythm of the words.
In that singular manner born to lawyers, Licenciado was reading the document in his hands. “And it is further charged that Señora and Señorita Torres did knowingly and willfully conspire to defy the legal representatives of the king’s army and to. . . ,” Piña’s recitation was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” asked Monastario over his shoulder.
“It is only me, Sergeant Garcia, Capitán,” came the cheerful response from the other side of the door.
Sighing to himself for the interruption, and with a slightly irritated look on his face, Monastario said without bothering to turn around, “Come in, Sergeant.”
The portly sergeant stepped into the room and came to attention, saluting smartly. Monastario continued to smoke his cigar, not deigning to look at him. “Don Alejandro de la Vega is outside the gate,” the sergeant reported. Monastario spared one mildly interested look at Garcia as the sergeant waved his hands nervously. “He demands to the see the prisoners, Señora and Señorita Torres.”
“You have your orders, Sergeant,” said Monastario focusing his attention on the excellent cigar he was smoking. He did not care what the old man wanted.
Sergeant Garcia said, “I know, Capitán. B-but he will not take no for an answer.” Monastario stared up at the Sergeant, cigar momentarily forgotten. “He insists!” said Garcia helplessly.
Perturbed, Monastario sat up on the bench and said, “Who gives the orders here? The Commandanté or Don Alejandro?”
Licenciado spoke up. “Don Alejandro is a very influential man, Capitán. He is not to be slighted. It would not be wise.”
Monastario stood up and moved towards his desk. He was suddenly amused at how serious the two men in his office treated the demands of one old ranchero. He poked fun at the lawyer. “This is legal advice, Licenciado? The Commandanté should take orders from any ranchero who comes pounding on the gates?” Smiling to himself, he puffed on the cigar again. Licenciado was not deterred. If anything, he was even more serious.
“Don Alejandro is not merely a ranchero,” he said earnestly. “And this is not legal advice. It is the advice of one who has lived long with these people and who understands them.”
Monastario was forced to reconsider his position. He glanced at Licenciado and thought perhaps this Don Alejandro was someone to reckon with after all. But he was also someone who could be used. He came to a decision.
“In that case,” he said putting out his cigar, “we shall employ the plan I discussed earlier.” He brushed the lawyer out of his way as he turned to confront Sergeant Garcia. “Sergeant. Hurry! Apologize to Don Alejandro for the delay and show him to the prisoners.” He poked the Sergeant in the stomach to punctuate his next order. “And be sure you do.”
Sergeant Garcia had snapped to attention as the Commandanté was giving his orders and was nodding his head, but then the words began to sink in and he realized just what he was being told to do. He could not believe it. “Apologize?” he asked. “To Don Alejan.. . .,” he trailed off. “Are you serious, Capitán?” he asked, hoping to find out that he had misunderstood.
Monastario was growing irritated by now. “Even when I explain it to you in simple words you do not understand!” he growled.
“Uh, uh ... of course I do . . . yes....” stammered Garcia, wishing that he did.
“Do as you are told!” ordered Monastario.
“Si, Capitán!” said Garcia saluting smartly. He turned and headed quickly toward the door, glad to make his escape.
He paused just at the doorway as Monastario spoke again, “Oh, and clear the yard. I want the lancers sent to their barracks.” Sergeant Garcia ran to do his bidding. Stepping over to the open door, Monastario looked out and saw just the man he wanted. “Corporal Sanchez!” he called. The man instantly stopped what he was doing and approached the office. “Come in,” said Monastario as he gestured him to enter the office. As soon as they were away from the door and Monastario could see that he had the Corporal’s full attention, he said with a smile, “I have a little job for you, Corporal.” He was gratified to see the eagerness in the eyes of the smaller man. He would perform his job well. The Capitán was sure of it.
Sergeant Garcia hurried over to the cuartel gates and ordered them opened to admit Don Alejandro. He was supposed to apologize to this man? Screwing up his courage, he escorted Don Alejandro over to the cells. “I am very sorry, Don Alejandro, to keep you waiting,” he said with all the sincerity he could muster.
As they approached, he addressed the soldier on duty saying, “Guard, open the cell door.” Turning his attention back to the man beside him, he tried to put it in the best light that he could, jabbing with his finger for emphasis.
“I told the Commandanté, I said, ‘Commandanté, you should not keep Don Alejandro waiting.’ That’s what I said. My very words. I. . . .”
Don Alejandro barely spared him a glance. His eyes were drawn to the jail cell containing the two women. He went into the cell without delay and the guard locked the door behind him. His heart went out to these two women. Señora Torres, even in her time of trial, wore a look of quiet dignity that even her mean surroundings could not diminish. Her daughter also carried herself well; she even smiled in gladness to see him. Their clothing was wrinkled, but clean. They had cleaned the cell as well as they were able, trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Señora Torres spoke first. “How nice of you to come and see us, Don Alejandro,” she said as if she was welcoming him graciously into her own sala.
His heart full, Don Alejandro got right to the point. “I have come to learn what you want. What you need to make your stay in this foul place more endurable,” he said earnestly. The lack of privacy for the women offended him greatly. They had no way to escape the watchful eyes of the soldiers of the cuartel. He bit back the more vicious comments he might have made in deference to the ladies. He was surprised at Señora Torres’ reply.
She held out her hands and said, “But we need nothing, Don Alejandro. The Commandanté has been most generous to us.” She seemed quite calm as she spoke, as if nothing was amiss.
Stepping carefully, Corporal Sanchez worked his way over to the cell and stood just out of sight near the storage room. He was in a perfect place to hear everything that was said without being seen by the cell’s inhabitants. He listened closely. He had done little jobs like this for the Capitán in the past and had been well rewarded for his discretion.
Don Alejandro did not let his surprise at Señora Torres’ remark reach his face, but he did relax a bit. He smiled and said, “I did not hope to hear such welcome news when I came here today.” Taking a deep breath, he decided to tell the women something that he had just decided in his own mind only a few moments before he had entered their cell. “It is almost as welcome as the news I bring to you,” he said.
“You bring welcome news, Don Alejandro?” said Señora Torres with hope. Elena’s face mirrored that hope.
Looking about to see that he would not be overheard, he motioned them closer. “I have decided to listen to my son, Diego, and to an idea he has often expressed. I’m going to ask a number of the larger landholders to attend a secret meeting at my hacienda this very day. This may be the beginning of the end for tyranny,” he announced in a quiet voice. Suddenly, he felt the need to be going. There would be much to do if such a meeting was going to take place today. Turning to the cell door, he called for the guard to come and let him out. He paused just outside the cell and bowed farewell to the women and turned to leave. He did not notice the Corporal who had moved aside and who pretended to be preoccupied with something else. He was in a hurry to implement his plan.
The Corporal wasted no time in reporting to the Commandanté in his office. Monastario was elated that his plan had born fruit. “So, Don Alejandro is going to hold a secret meeting, eh?” he thought to himself. “I must know what will be said at that meeting!”
Addressing Sanchez who was standing across the desk from him, he said, “Corporal, I want you to go to the de la Vega hacienda. You will disguise yourself as a peon and stay out of sight as much as possible, but you will bring back a full report. I must know the names of the men who attend the meeting and what is said. I must know what they plan to do. Now go.” Corporal Sanchez saluted smartly and exited the room. Monastario noticed Licenciado looking at him. “What are you staring at?” he demanded.
Licenciado gave a small shrug of his shoulders. “Nothing, Commandanté. It is nothing,” he said. Monastario glared at him for a few seconds and then returned to his perusal of the legal documents concerning Señora and Señorita Torres.
**********
Diego had just finished his breakfast on the patio when his father returned from the pueblo. Bernardo had told him that his father had inquired of him earlier, but upon finding Diego still asleep had gone into town without him. Diego regretted not being awakened although he had returned very late last night. As Zorro, he had rescued Benito from being hanged at the cuartel as the lovesick vaquero had gotten himself caught when he tried to free Señorita Elena by impersonating El Zorro himself.
After the real Zorro had delayed the soldiers and Monastario by entertaining them at the church while the vaquero rode away, he had ridden after Benito and told him in no uncertain terms that he was not to return to the pueblo and attempt something so foolish again. Benito hung his head and said that he was only trying to free his beloved. Zorro promised Benito that he would see that Señora and Señorita Torres came to no harm and told the vaquero to ride into the hills and stay with some of his relatives until he received word to come back. Benito seemed ready to defy Zorro but relented as Zorro’s sword suddenly gleamed in the moonlight. He made a promise to stay away from the pueblo. Diego smiled at the thought that Zorro’s admonition to Benito had succeeded whereas his had not.
He greeted his father warmly. “Buenas Diás, Father. I hope you had a pleasant ride this morning?”
Don Alejandro withheld any comments he might have made concerning Diego’s late rising. He motioned to Bernardo that he wanted a glass of wine and sat down at the table next to his son. He was determined to enlist Diego’s aid with this meeting of the Dons that he had planned. After all, it was Diego’s idea in the first place.
“Buenas Diás, Diego,” he said. “I have just returned from seeing Señora and Señorita Torres being held as prisoners in the cuartel.” Bernardo came with the glass of wine and set it down before Don Alejandro who nodded his thanks. He took a sip of the wine and continued, “Diego, it is intolerable what those women are going through. Something must be done.”
Diego remained outwardly calm, but he was afraid of what his father might say next. His father was not known for being coolheaded. He was therefore astonished and pleased at his father’s next words.
“My son, I have decided to listen to you and call for a meeting of the larger landholders this afternoon. We will discuss what is to be done about this situation. It would please me if you would attend such a meeting.”
“Of course, Father. I will be there,” said Diego fervently. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. His spirits rose.
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Table of Contents
