by Olga
It was a warm and bright day in early June in pueblo de Los Angeles. The sun was shining, people were walking on the streets, busy with their everyday work. In the tavern were more customers than usual, everyone was discussing the rumor that the governor was going to come to the pueblo the next week.
There was Don Diego slowly sipping wine and talking to Sergeant Garcia.
"So, is it true what people say, Sergeant? The governor will come for a visit?"
"Si, Don Diego. He will come on an inspection. He visits several towns besides us. We're expecting him at the beginning of the next week."
"How come you know all these details? Did you receive a letter from the governor?" questioned Diego in his light non-persistent manner and smiling that wonderful smile of his.
Sergeant took the wine mug away from his mouth and put it on the table. But he didn't have a chance to answer Don Diego, as the door of the tavern was thrown open with a loud bang against the wall, and in came a tall haughty gentleman about thirty with a belly too fat for his age.
As the door opened, everyone turned to face the newcomer. But he didn't pay attention to anyone, and quickly approached the table where Don Diego and Sergeant Garcia were sitting. The sergeant stood up quickly and greeted the visitor.
"Senor Juan Vasques, let me introduce you to Don Diego de la Vega."
"My pleasure," said Don Diego, standing up and bowing a little.
But Senor Vasques didn't bother himself to answer in exchange as courtesy demands. Instead he bowed his head in a way that looked more like a scornful nod.
"Senor Vasques," explained Sergeant Garcia to Don Diego, "is sent here by the governor himself to tell people of his coming."
Don Diego said "I'm sure that his excellency will not be disappointed when he comes here. Sergeant Garcia keeps our nice town in perfect order!"
Hearing this, Sergeant Garcia presented his broad smile and nodded. But Senor Vasques interrupted, pointing with his finger to Sergeant's belly. "How can Sergeant Garcia possibly keep the whole town in 'perfect order' if he cannot keep in order himself? Ha-ha-ha!" He was so amused with this joke of his that he didn't notice that he was the only one who was laughing in the tavern.
The sergeant was upset. Senor Vasques believed himself to be a witty person with a sharp mind and he didn't care if anyone thought it wrong.
"Will you, Senor Vasques, join us?" asked Don Diego, politely showing him an empty chair, hoping to relieve tension caused by the inappropriate joke.
"No, muchos gracias, Senor, but I have many things to do," answered Juan Vasques in his sharp voice.
"You will not go to other towns to make them aware of the governor's coming?"
"No, this dirty pueblo is the last in the list of towns the governor intends to visit. So I'll stay here and wait for the governor."
It wasn't only Diego who was surprised by his words but also Sergeant Garcia. He exchanged looks with Diego and the sergeant sighed.
Meanwhile Senor Vasques kept on saying, referring to all customers of the tavern, "I've been to all the cities of California, some of them were really wonderful, but regretfully I should admit that I've never seen such a poor and foul town as yours."
Don Diego's face grew serious hearing these words, and he rose up from his chair to speak what everyone was thinking of. "But our town is considered to be one of the best and most prosperous towns in all California."
"Hehe," laughed quietly Senor Vasques, "Maybe it WAS... Ten years ago. But now many things have changed, new towns were founded, and those which lie in the North part of California now prosper and can be considered equal to the wealthy Madrid."
"But what can we do now?" asked one of the tavern's customers.
"That is why I'm here," said Senor Vasques. "I'm here to help you to do everything you can to make his excellency the governor think that your town is better than any other town in all California." He paused for a while to draw a breath, then he continued. "First of all, I came here to announce that we should collect some money to make visible changes on those streets where the governor is likely to pass when he arrives. So, the minimum contribution for the people is thirty pesos. For Dons we'll have a bit more than that," He added he with a grin, casting a side-long look at Don Diego.
People started to mumble, each of them saying that they cannot pay 30 pesos for the sum is too big for them. But the haughty Senor paid no attention to that and added, "We'll start accepting contributions right now, out on the plaza. Those who contribute will be given a paper confirming that. You must keep it. Because those who don't have such paper will be considered traitors and put in jail until their trial." With these words he turned on his heels and walked away.
Don Diego seemed quite puzzled with this person, looking deep in his thoughts. Now he gazed up on the Sergeant and said "I still cannot understand why we should deceive the governor by turning our good town into a theater with all those decorations and actors. Besides, most people have no money to pay this contribution Senor Vasques has demanded. Can you talk him out of doing this useless performance?"
Sergeant shrugged his wide shoulders. "Don Diego," he said still being unsure of what to say, "Senor Vasques knows what he's doing, he is the right hand of the governor himself..."
"Did HE say that?" wondered Don Diego.
"Si, Don Diego."
"It's strange, I've never heard of him before, maybe he is new in the governor's service."
"He said he came from Spain a year ago and since that time lived in all towns of California until he was introduced to the governor, who found him to be a very capable and very loyal servant of the King."
"If you excuse me, I need to see my father and tell him of his excellency's coming and we'll certainly pay a visit to Senor Vasques in the afternoon."
"Very well, Don Diego," said the Sergeant and stood up from his chair, putting the empty mug on the table with one hand and taking his hat with the other.
In the de la Vega's hacienda Diego was telling his father the current events, and Don Alejandro was quite displeased. "Why does this Senor Vasques need to repair our streets? And there's less than a week left until the governor arrives, and he didn't collect any money yet."
"Well, Senor Vasques seems to be a busy man, who cannot spend a day without doing something..."
"So, let him do something, but without collecting people's money. And on what conditions! Either pay or you'll be treated as a traitor. What kind of MAN is he?!!"
"He's bursting with new ideas, and he's eager to do something for everyone to remember that."
"I'll go to talk to him, maybe a little repair won't hurt anyone, but the contribution still could be less."
"I'll come with you, Father."
With these words Don Diego opened the door of the house, letting his father out, and followed him, making sign for Bernardo to come.
Of course, Don Alejandro failed to convince Senor Vasqu how bad his plans were and hence gained nothing but the obligation to pay one hundred pesos as his family's contribution.
After Senor Vasques collected a small sum, he started to hire workers and to buy up all that was needed for repair. Of course, he started from the plaza. Some old houses were renewed a bit - just enough to seem new-built at first sight. Some fences were rebuilt, all walls were painted snow-white by the soldiers from the garrison.
In a short time the old plaza became unrecognizable. And seeing that, all people rushed to Senor Vasques to make their contribution for the repair of their beautiful town. Senor Vasques seemed quite busy with his duties. He was managing soldiers, who were in their turn managing workers. Three days passed in one moment. The governor was expected to come the next day. Considering that almost every man in pueblo de Los Angeles made his contribution, Senor Vasques gathered a very good sum.
Into the plaza rode Don Diego with Bernardo following behind him. Suddenly they stopped and began to watch. Big and fat Sergeant Garcia was walking to and fro, collecting garbage from the ground with his right hand, while he was still keeping his left hand on the hilt of his sword.
Corporal Reyes followed him carrying a huge bag, which was half full of garbage, collected by the sergeant. And each time the sergeant bent to pick up another piece of garbage, he uttered a groan, and when he straightened himself up, he sighed, shook his head and looked sadly at corporal Reyes. Each time was just the same.
Don Diego seemed amused with the sergeant's manner of working, but still he was puzzled. He rode right up to the sergeant. "Good day, Sergeant."
"Buenas dias, Don Diego! Buenas dias, little one!" and he waved his hand to Bernardo, who answered with the same, smiling.
"Sergeant, what are you doing here, in the plaza? Aren't you supposed to be on guard today?"
"It's all Senor Vasques... He said we were doing nothing but bothering him, and ordered us to go to do something useful - to collect garbage from plaza for it to be clean when the governor comes. I'm a soldier, Don Diego, I cannot collect garbage, it's so... uncomfortable for me" said the fat sergeant, putting his big hands on his enormous belly and smiling in anticipation.
"I see, Sergeant," said Don Diego. "I'll talk to Senor Vasques right now"
It was just what the Sergeant had expected, but still he pretended that it was a surprise for him.
"Oh, it's so nice of you, I didn't even think about asking you to do that for me, I..."
"No, no, Sergeant, I have my own business to discuss with Senor Vasques, and I'll try to talk with him about your problem also."
"Very well, Don Diego!" cheerfully exclaimed the sergeant. And he made a sign to Corporal Reyes to take the bag with garbage away, and he obeyed, dragging the heavy bag slowly across the plaza with an upset look on his face.
Don Diego and Bernardo dismounted and left their horses outside the garrison. They entered the door of the comandante's office after knocking at it and saw Senor Vasques sitting at the comandante's table and calculating something on a sheet of paper.
"Oh, Senor de la Vega!" he said absentmindedly.
"Si, Senor," answered Diego with a small bow. "I've come to give you the money for contribution and to talk over tomorrow's events. So, you say, the governor will come in the early morning?"
"That's correct," said Senor Vasques, accepting the money and drawing the confirmation of payment. "Yesterday one of his excellency's soldiers came here with a letter saying when exactly the governor will come. Oh, it will be a great event for all this poor pueblo!"
"This pueblo is not that poor, as you could have noticed yourself, Senor."
"Oh, but I have spent two thousand pesos for all those repairs I've made, and I have left only about three hundred, which I intend to spend when the governor arrives. We'll have a big fiesta, where all people can come, it will take place on the plaza of Los Angeles."
"That's a good idea, Senor!" said Diego. "And one more thing."
"Si?"
"Sergeant Garcia is collecting garbage out on the plaza. But it's not a proper work for a Sergeant of his majesty's troops, don't you think so? It will strike on the reputation of all soldiers and people might mock them and stop being as obedient as they always were before."
"Hm... Well, but there was nobody else to put to do this job, and besides, that fat Sergeant was going about all the time, bothering me."
"Bothering you?" Don Diego politely asked. "But with what?"
"His fat belly alone makes me nervous, and when he starts to speak he becomes completely intolerable!"
"Oh, I see, Senor. So, what will you decide about our Sergeant? I still don't think he should undertake a job of a garbage collector, but continue with his duties."
"Si, si. So, go and tell him to return back here, but if he still bothers me with his talks I'll lock him up behind bars forever!"
"All right, Senor. Muchos gracias," smiled Diego.
"Ahh, forget it."
Bernardo opened the door for Diego, and they both left the comandante's office.
Back at the plaza the Sergeant was eagerly waiting for their return, so he rushed to meet them, smiling pleasantly with Corporal Reyes behind him. He became all ears.
"It's all right, Sergeant, you may return back to your duties," announced Don Diego.
"Oh, Don Diego, thank you... Corporal, thank Don Diego for his efforts, because without him we would spend our time collecting garbage instead of being on guard."
"Thank you, Don Diego," said the corporal.
Sergeant shook his head, whirling his eyes around. Don Diego said good bye to the sergeant and corporal, and went towards the horses, when a sudden noise attracted their attention. Five workers from those who were helping to repair the plaza walked towards comandante's office, trying to draw passerby's attention by talking in a loud voice.
But they hadn't yet reached the commandante's office, when Senor Vasques opened the door and went out. He stopped and asked them loudly "What do you want?"
They hesitated a moment, then one of them spoke "We want nothing more than what we've earned with our hands, sweat and blood while making preparations for the governor's arrival."
"I owe you nothing."
"But how can that be? You offered us good work for reasonable money, and we accepted. But we haven't seen any money."
"So, what do you have to offer?" chuckled Senor Vasques.
"I think you should pay us what we have earned."
"And I think you think too much! Sergeant!"
"Si, Senor!"
"Put this man into the carcel! And anyone who comes here with such requests as well. Understood?" The last word referred more to those four men than to the Sergeant, who didn't notice that of course.
"Si, Senor!" he said, and ordered the soldiers to grab the man to be put in jail.
"Consider that you have contributed the money which you earned. Anyway it is YOUR town you were repairing... And now go. Your friend will stay here for a night, then he'll be free to go."
Four men with their chins on their chests, walked slowly towards the gates to the plaza.
Don Diego exchanged a quick glance with Bernardo. He drove Bernardo aside, in the shadow, which the garrison wall provided, and said "Senor Vasques collected enough money to pay to all workers of California, why didn't he pay those poor men?"
Bernardo shrugged his shoulders.
"He cannot be broke because of several pesos which he had to pay them. So, what is wrong then?"
Bernardo looked down as though thinking about something. But he could not figure out why the men didn't get their hard earned money.
Diego's eyes were wandering around the empty plaza when he saw something which drew his attention in an instant. There was a cart with a load of wood and the variety of tools used by those who worked on the plaza. It was all that was left unused by workers and now it was put away so the governor, who wouldbe passing here tomorrow, wouldn't see it.
There were three men working with the cart and a poor old horse who could hardly make one step after another. Diego clutched Bernardo's arm and walked rapidly across the plaza towards those workers.
They saw Don Diego approaching, and stopped the horse, though it didn't make much difference.
"Buenos dias, Senor," they greeted him.
"Buenos dias," answered Don Diego. "And this wood- where do you take it?"
"It is what was left after the repair of the plaza, and we're taking it back to Karlos, he supplied Senor Vasques with wood and tools."
"Who is Karlos?" ssked Don Diego.
"It's me, Senor," said one of men, stepping forward. It was a slim man wearing old clothes and with dirty hands, like all carpenters have. But he was evidently proud being a carpenter.
"And you surely were paid well for your job," said Diego, smiling a little.
"No, Senor, not a peso. When we came to Senor Vasques he said that we did it for ourselves and for our governor, so he owes us no money."
"But he surely paid for your wood and tools," persisted Don Diego. But Karlos only smiled sadly to that.
"Unfortunately, no, Senor. We didn't even see our money."
After having talked with Karlos and his men everything became clear to Diego. Senor Vasques did all repairs in the pueblo at the expense of workers, and the money, which people of Los Angeles had contributed for that purpose all became his own property. And being the right hand of his excellency the governor, provides a good defense for him not to be bothered by simple men wanting their money.
Diego went to his father's hacienda as it started to grow dark. He quickly told his father about what was happening in the pueblo and went upstairs to the secret room to change his clothes. Bernardo, obeying his order, went down to the cave to saddle Tornado. Diego quickly took off his clothes, put on his black shirt and black pants, tied the black banda around his waist, covered his face with the mask, put on his hat, grabbed his sword and rushed downstairs, where Bernardo was already waiting for him. There he jumped on Tornado and disappeared into the night.
He came into the pueblo, stood on his horse's back and went over the garrison wall and approached the comandante's office. There he hid himself behind a small cart, which wasn't used very often by soldiers, but still it remains in that place near the wall of comandante's office.
He waited there a while, then he saw Senor Vasques going out of the door and heading towards the gates. Evidently he went there to check if the soldiers were on guard, being obsessed with order in the army service.
Zorro left his hideout and sneaked through the door of the office. Senor Vasques returned soon and sat down at the comandante's table. But suddenly he felt cold steel being pressed against his own back. He was startled.
"If you call your men you'll die in an instant!" warned Zorro.
"Who are you? What do you want?" asked Vasques with an effort not to chatter his teeth.
Zorro chuckled beneath his mask. "People call me Zorro. And I want justice."
"If you want justice then why do you threaten ME?"
Zorro laughed. "So, you believe that you're doing the right thing by misappropriating money collected by you using threats and on the pretext of using it for the necessary repairs?"
"I don't-"
"Senor!" thundered Zorro's voice. "I don't advise you to say lies at the point of my sword!"
Senor Vasques gasped and couldn't utter a word. His tongue seemed to be stuck to the roof of his mouth and he was unable to make any move to speak lies.
"Well, Senor, where do you hide the money you've collected?"
"I will not tell you, you highwayman! You'll never have the money!"
"Si, Senor. I will never have it, but the people from whom you've taken it, they surely WILL! I give you my word!"
"Your word! Ha!"
"I shall pay no attention to this 'ha!' of yours this time, Senor, but I warn you that there will be no other time. You will not live if you say it again!"
Haughty senor shut his mouth obediently. "The money!" reminded the masked man, pushing gently on his sword for Vasques to feel its coldness better.
"It's here, under the table."
"Oh, it's so nice we don't have to go anywhere, Senor! Now stand back, your face to the wall. That's right. Now put your hands back. It's just the matter of being sure that you won't do anything to make Senora Death come for you so early." And with these words Zorro tied his arms with a piece of rope, which was lying under the table.
Senor Vasques did everything he was told and remained standing like this while Zorro heaved a big and heavy purse, which made a chinking sound of golden coins.
"Oh, here must be no less than three thousand pesos!" exclaimed Senor Zorro in astonishment.
Senor Vasques appeared to be too angry to answer. Now Zorro paid all of his attention to Vasques. He took the keys to carcel from the table, and directed him to the door still pressing his sword against Senor Vasques's back. Zorro opened the door a little, made sure that there were no lancers anywhere around, opened the door completely and headed towards the jail.
He stopped at the cell where the poor worker who had been arrested today for nothing was placed. He opened the door of the cell, bid the man not to cry and go out of there, then he gagged Senor Vasques with a handkerchief found in his pocket and threw him inside the cell, locked the door and said for the worker to go wait for him near the wall. He obeyed.
"The money," addressed Zorro to gagged Senor Vasques, "will be given to the real owners." Then, hesitating a little, he came to the door and broke the lock with a knife which he took out of his boot. "There," he said, "I believe, now you'll lose some weight while sitting here and thinking upon your deeds, Senor Vasques!" But he heard nothing but sounds, which could be curses if the Senor's mouth wasn't occupied at the time.
Zorro carved a Z on a wall outside the cell where he put Senor Vasques, turned on his heels and rushed towards the wall. Then he lead the way over the wall to the poor worker. Luckily they could escape without being noticed by anyone. Zorro took the man to his home, and leaving him there, he gave him the heavy purse and said "This money should be divided tomorrow between those who have a paper of their contribution. Will you do that?"
"Of course, Senor Zorro, you may trust me. I will not hide a peso!"
"Very well. And this," continued Zorro, giving him another purse, which was smaller than the first one, "and from this purse you shall pay to those men who worked honestly renewing the old pueblo. Understood?"
"Si, Senor."
With these words Zorro turned his horse around and rode away, and the wind carried the sound of his voice from afar "Adios, amigo!"
The moon peeped out of the clouds and Zorro's silhouette on his horse was seen perfectly as he waved his hand good bye. Some moments later he disappeared from sight.
The man sighed and entered his house. His wife woke up and lit the candle. "What happened, Jorjito?" she asked.
He showed her two purses filled with gold. She gasped. "Oh, Jorjito, let's take some pesos for us and our children! It will hurt nobody! And no one will ever know about it!"
"Silence, woman! Zorro WILL know!"
Z End.
