Amigo looked longingly at the pile of used stall material, but one look from Bernardo was enough to convince him to give up the idea. But there was one thing he could do and that was shake off all this water. He began to shake himself, sending out a spray of water in all directions.
Bernardo was obliged to hold his hands up in front of his eyes and got thoroughly wet all over again. Shaking his finger in front of Amigo’s face, he picked the dog up and carried him back over to the post, tying him with the cord. He made sure that the pool was refilled with clean, clear water and then went to dispose of the aromatic waste material so that Amigo would not be tempted again.
By the time Bernardo had cleaned Diego’s jacket and hung it up to dry, Amigo was dry and looked more like himself. Together they went up the stairs and into Diego’s room. Not finding the young man there, Bernardo went to look for him. He found both Diego and his father relaxing in the sala. Diego was playing the piano and Don Alejandro was reading a book.
Don Alejandro said, “What is this dog doing in my house?”
Bernardo had to pretend not to hear, of course.
Diego turned around and said, “Oh, the dog. Bernardo found him in back, near the stables. He must be lost. We don’t know who he belongs to, but he has been taught to do some tricks, so someone must have spent some time with him. If we cannot find his rightful owner, I have told Bernardo he could keep the dog as a pet.”
Don Alejandro shook his head. “Dogs are for working cattle or for chasing coyotes. I have no use for pet dogs. I hope you can find the rightful owners and give it back to them.”
Amigo looked up at Don Alejandro and cocked his head at the man’s tone. Don Alejandro found himself pulled into those deep, brown eyes.
Diego smiled to himself. His father always sounded gruff, but his heart was soft if you knew how to get to it. He suspected that this little dog would soon have him wrapped around his little finger, so to speak. “Father? Um, . . . Father?”
Don Alejandro started a bit as he looked at his son. “Yes, Diego?” He pretended to ignore the little dog now.
“Bernardo has promised to keep the dog clean and out of your way, so you do not have to worry about that. He has a way with animals and I know that this dog will be a model of deportment even as he is.” He was saying this to his father, but really he was pulling Bernardo’s tail. And Bernardo knew it. They exchanged looks.
“Well, see that he does,” said Don Alejandro gruffly. Diego had to smother another smile. “And do not waste too much time before you try to find the real owners will you?” Don Alejandro turned back to his book.
“Yes, Father.” Diego pointed to Bernardo’s clothing.
Bernardo looked down and realized that he was a mess. Amigo might be clean, but he certainly was not. He nodded to Diego and motioned to Amigo as he turned to go, signaling Amigo to follow him. He should have changed before bringing Amigo to meet Don Alejandro the first time. First impressions were so very important.
Bernardo spent the next two days doing his usual chores and playing with Amigo; his mishap in the cave being forgiven. Bernardo found out that Amigo had quite a repertoire of tricks. He could fetch, roll over, play dead (he already knew about that one), beg, shake hands, and dance. He would stand up on his hind legs and twirl around and around, dancing on his hind legs to Bernardo’s delight.
Twice, Bernardo had used Amigo to deliver some item to Don Alejandro. Amigo would stand with his paws on the edge of the chair with the object in his mouth until Don Alejandro took it from him. Bernardo even caught Don Alejandro smiling and petting Amigo when he thought no one was looking. At night, Amigo slept on the foot of Bernardo’s bed, but morning would find him snuggled up under the blanket with Bernardo’s arms around him.
When Diego and Bernardo finally went to town, they took Amigo with them. Zorro had ridden during the last two nights and had cheerfully disrupted Monastario’s sleep by freeing some peons that had been jailed on trumped up charges. But now something else was brewing and Diego needed to sound out Sergeant Garcia to see what he could find out from him. Diego drove the carriage and Bernardo held Amigo in his lap.
Bernardo was hoping that they would not find Amigo’s previous owner. He had become very attached to the little dog.
Diego knew this was so. He said, “You would be sorry to see Amigo go?” Bernardo nodded. “You remember that we said you could keep him only if we could not find the true owner?” Bernardo nodded again. Gently, Diego said, “Well, try not to be too disappointed if we do find Amigo’s owner. He really belongs to that person you know.” Another nod.
Bernardo stroked Amigo quietly as they rode along. Amigo just looked up with him with his brown eyes. Bernardo couldn’t help it. He pulled Amigo up into a hug.
Diego saw this and hoped for his servant and friend’s sake that they did not find the true owner of the dog.
They found Sergeant Garcia at the gate of the cuartel as they rode into the plaza. “Ah, Don Diego, good morning! And you too little one!” he greeted them. “I have not seen you in the pueblo for a few days. I hope everything is well with you?”
“Si, Sergeant, everything is fine. We had a few things to do today and I was wondering if I might invite you to stop by the tavern and join me for a drink?” Diego truly liked the Sergeant, but he was a fountain of information if one primed the pump, so to speak.
“Oh, Don Diego. I would be delighted to share a drink with you in the tavern. But wait. What is this dog that your mozo is holding? I did not know that you had a dog, Don Diego.”
“That is one of the things we were going to do today, Sergeant. You wouldn’t happen to know of anyone who has lost a dog such as this would you? He showed up at our hacienda a few days ago and we were hoping to find its true owner.”
“As a matter of fact, there was a don here about two days ago speaking with Capitán Monastario about just such a dog,” said Garcia. “I do not know his name, but I can find out who he was and where he is staying. Wait here, I’ll be right back.” So saying, he went back into the cuartel.
Diego watched Bernardo who was looking very solemn. He put his hand on the servant’s shoulder and squeezed it gently. Bernardo nodded his head, but did not take his eyes off of Amigo.
Soon the Sergeant was back. “Don Diego. The man who was asking about the dog was Don Raul Martinez. He is a guest at the hacienda of Don Alfredo.”
Diego said, “Sergeant. You would not mind waiting for your wine for a bit while we drive over to Don Alfredo’s and see if this dog belongs to Don Raul Martinez would you?” Before the Sergeant could answer, Diego said, “Good, good. Adios, Sergeant. I will see you later, eh?” He started the carriage on its way to Don Alfredo’s.
After they were out of town, he said to Bernardo, “I thought it best that we find out right away. Some things are best done without waiting.” Bernardo nodded.
Don Alfredo’s hacienda was blessed with a yard full of grand old oak trees that gave it a wonderful shade. They pulled up into the courtyard and were met by Don Alfredo’s servant. He went to announce them as they alighted from the carriage. With open arms, Don Alfredo came to greet them. He was followed by a man about thirty-five years of age.
“Diego, so good to see you,” said Don Alfredo warmly. “May I present Don Raul Martinez? Don Raul, this is Don Diego de la Vega.” The two men greeted each other. Bernardo stayed back behind Diego during all of this.
Diego said, “Don Raul, I heard in the pueblo that you had been looking for a lost dog. I believe that perhaps we may have found him?” He motioned to Bernardo to step forward.
“Si, that is Pepe!” cried Don Raul. “Our little daughter was heartbroken when he was lost. Where did you find him?” Don Raul’s face was lit with a smile.
“He came to our hacienda and my mozo, Bernardo here, found him at our stables. He has taken good care of him since then.”
“Si, si. I can see that. Let me go and get Eugenia. She will be so happy!” Don Raul practically ran back into the hacienda.
Don Alfredo said, “Please. Come into my house and make yourselves comfortable. Yes, it will be all right to bring the dog in too.”
Diego and Bernardo followed him into the house. Diego seated himself and Bernardo stood behind his chair holding Amigo, or rather, Pepe. His heart was very sad that he would be losing his little friend so soon. Pepe licked his face.
Soon Don Raul was seen coming into the room leading a little girl of about nine years of age. Diego stood up and said, “Buenas Tardes, Señorita Eugenia,” as he bowed. Eugenia did not acknowledge him.
Don Raul said, “Don Diego, I must explain. Eugenia cannot hear you. She had an illness that left her completely deaf when she was four years old.”
Bernardo’s eyes locked on Don Raul for a moment and then he looked at the young girl. He only pretended to be deaf. This little child was deaf. His heart went out to her. She was a beautiful little child. Bernardo noticed Diego looking at him. He nodded subtly to him that he was all right. How could he think of keeping this child’s companion? No, he would never to that. Slowly he walked over to the little girl. Her eyes were on the floor and she did not see him at first.
Diego said to Don Raul, “My servant, Bernardo neither hears nor speaks. But I think he knows how special you daughter is. Look.” And he pointed to the two of them.
Bernardo knelt down in front of Eugenia. Her eyes met his and he smiled as he handed her Pepe. Eugenia’s face changed from that of a solemn child, sorrowing over the loss of her pet, to one of happy tears streaming down her face as she held her beloved Pepe to her. She smiled and it was as if the sun’s rays shone from her face.
Bernardo’s smile was just as radiant. He hugged them both and then stepped back.
Eugenia ran to her father holding up Pepe for him to see. He picked them both up in his arms and held them tight. Turning to Diego and Bernardo he said, “How can I ever thank you? You have made us so happy. I thought the dog lost forever and now look. You have done a wonderful thing.”
Diego looked at Bernardo, whose eyes were brimming with tears, but they were tears of happiness not sorrow. “You need do nothing, Don Raul. Seeing your happiness and that of your daughter’s is reward enough. We are happy to have been of service in this small way. We will be going now.” He motioned for Bernardo to follow him.
Suddenly Bernardo found a set of arms locked around his leg and a small dog dancing in front of him smiling his toothy, little dog smile. He turned and found Eugenia holding her arms out to him. He knelt and she hugged him with all of her strength and planted a kiss on his cheek. He picked up her hand and kissed it gently. Pepe jumped into his arms then and licked his face over and over before jumping back down to dance and run around his young mistress.
Bernardo waved goodby several times as they walked to the carriage. Eugenia waved back. Diego took his leave of Don Alfredo and soon they were back on their way to the pueblo. Diego was driving again. They said nothing for a long while.
Finally, Diego said, “I believe I can safely say that you have never been kissed so sweetly in all of your life, have you?” Bernardo shook his head. “Do you have any regrets?” Diego asked.
Oh, no! motioned Bernardo. He pointed to his ears and held his hands up, then he pointed to his heart.
“She cannot hear and that touched your heart,” Diego interpreted.
Bernardo made the sign for dog and pointed back to the girl. “The dog belonged to Eugenia.”
He made the sign for dog and shook his head as he pointed to himself. “The dog did not belong to you.”
He made the sign for gift and then the sign for love. “She made you a gift of her love.”
He made the sign for the world and then threw it away. “And this gift was worth more than anything in the whole world to you?” Bernardo beamed.
Diego said, “You are a jewel among men, Bernardo, to have the love of such a lady.” Bernardo agreed and took the reins from Diego in order to drive them the rest of the way back into the pueblo. He knew he would never forget the little dog who came into his life, or the little lady who loved him so much.
End
