La Doña Negra

CHAPTER 11: DANGER FOR EL ZORRO AND DOÑA NEGRA

Capitan Gabriel Guiterrez surveyed the carnage of his mercenaries’ battle the previous night on the road leading to Coalinga Pass. Eight of his men were dead, and another half a dozen of his thugs suffered serious injuries from being assaulted by their former captives.

“WHAT HAPPENED HERE?” His loud voice echoed all around the arroyo’s rocky walls. “Was it that cabron Zorro? And was that bruha the Dark Lady also responsible for this disaster? Tell me!”

Jose Melendez was more afraid of La Doña Negra than he was of his capitan. “Capitan Guiterrez, you do not understand! That woman fought just like a caballero! She was the Devil in the flesh!”

“Nonsense, porco! How could a mere woman kill Jorge Manero in the manner you described? He was one of my finest fencers! It cannot be true!”

“No, mi capitan! I speak the truth -- and mi amigo Jorge is dead because of her!“ Jose trembled before Guiterrez and his mule whip, which the capitan was slapping against his desk.

“Out with your tales of fantasy! I SAID GET OUT!” Guiterrez snapped his whip again. “Corporal Reyes, get in here!” Guiterrez shouted.

Poor Corporal Reyes stumbled through Capitan Guiterrez’s door. “You sent for me, mi capitan?”

“Sí, Corporal Reyes. Has there been any message from Santa Barbara?“

Reyes hesitated. “Oh, Si Commandante! I nearly forgot!“
Guiterrez flicked his whip just inches from Reyes’ nose and the corporal jumped back nearly to the office door.

“BY ALL THE SAINTS! Give it to me now! Corporal, you are dismissed from guarding my office! Return to your barracks and remain out of my sight!”

“S-sí Commandante, at once!”

The capitan sighed heavily. “With soldiers like Corporal Reyes.... Santa Maria!”

He opened the missive with dread! ‘Had his business partner already heard about that night‘s fiasco?' He said to himself. The note was from his “business partner, Señor D’oro,“ in Santa Barbara. He began anxiously reading it. “Capitan Guiterrez, due to the continued disruption of our business ventures by El Zorro and La Doña Negra; I am forced to terminate all mining operations. In addition, my agents in Los Angeles have informed me that Don Alejandro de la Vega has reported our covert activities to the Governor. His Excellency the Governor has contacted the President of Mexico. We can expect military interference within 24 hours. We must leave California as soon as possible. Expect me before 4:00 p.m. this afternoon!”

Guiterrez had suspected that Señor D’oro had employed men to spy on him. ’Ha! I was right to feel paranoid! I can only imagine what kind of reports his agents had given to their padrone, Señor D’oro’

However, the Commandante was puzzled by the last paragraph in Señor D’oro’s letter. His business partner wrote that he had already finalized plans to burn down the de la Vegas’ hacienda and stampede their herds of cattle. Guiterrez could scarcely believe what he had just read. ‘Why in the name of San Juan di Capistrano did he want to unduly delay their hasty exit from Alta California? Why did he want to trifle with the extremely powerful de la Vegas?’

“By the Three Marias!” He had so much to do and very little time to prepare for his leaving La Reina de Los Angeles. “I must get rid of the soldiers in the cuartel. “Guard! Get me Corporal Reyes, pronto!“

Corporal Reyes ran into the Commandante’s office and hastily saluted, but only after tripping on his rifle‘s strap. “Sí, Commandante, you sent for me?’

“Reyes, I want you to join Sergeant Garcia, who is on patrol guarding the road leading to the San Gabriel Mission. I have just received correspondence from Father Felipe stating that new gangs of banditos have been harassing carretas traveling near the Mission. Take the entire garrison, except for Lancers Martinez, Saldar and Hueco!"

The corporal hesitated. “Begging the Commandante’s pardon-”

Guiterrez said impatiently “Sí?”

“Lancer Martinez left the cuartel three hours ago, mi capitan, and he has not returned.”

“WHAT?” The Commandante was apoplectic. “WHERE IS HE?”

“I do not know Commandante!”

Guiterrez slapped his forehead with the palm of his right hand. ‘Suppose something has happened to the lancer! I should have never employed any soldiers in the cuartel. These miserable excuses for soldiers would sell their own mothers for a mug of barely potable wine! Damn that Martinez! He probably is with that scoundrel Gomez who would rather drink the days away rather than find some work to do. Now I shall have to eliminate Saldar and Hueco as well! ‘ He thought dourly.

The Commandante tossed his whip on the floor in frustration. “Leave immediamente, Private Reyes!”

“Certo, mi capitan!” Only until much later did Reyes remember that the Commandante had reduced him in rank.

Guiterrez laughed maniacally despite the gravity of his situation. Garcia, Reyes and several other men who had served Spain in King Ferdinand VII’s Norte Americano army had elected to enlist in the Mexican Army after Spain relinquished its power over Alta California. ‘If these two men represent the best of the new Mexican army, then that government and babosos like Reyes and Garcia deserve each other!’

Señor D’oro stated in his letter that the attack on the de la Vega hacienda was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ‘I had better hurry to make things ready for Senor D’oro’s arrival. And I pray that he will not be angry with me. Damn El Zorro and La Doña Negra!’ Guiterrez had heard tales of those operatives who had failed to complete their assignments for his “business partner.” They disappeared as quickly as the Commandante dispatched the Indians who could no longer work in the gold mine.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

In the Posada across the plaza from the cuartel, Pancho Gomez ordered another round of drinks for himself and his fellow vaquero. “Capitan Guiterrez and most certainly, Señor D’oro, will reward us for our work we are about to do tonight!” Pancho said after the serving girl had brought them some more wine.

"Sí, Pancho. Imagine stealing an entire herd of 3,000 cattle at once!” Lancer Martinez cheerily agreed.

Gomez shrugged. “And the de la Vega brand is easily changed, so you, me and a couple of other vaqueros will soon have herds of our own!” He crowed. “When Señor D’oro learns of what we have accomplished, he will also give us enough money to keep us in wine and women for a long time, eh? Come, Doña Negra drink up. This is the last wine we shall have until either the Commandante or Señor D'oro tell us we may drink again!”

Unknown by the two vaqueros, one Doña Carmen’s men had overheard their conversation. Valentino Herrera quickly paid the innkeeper for his drinks and ran outside to speak to his men to get help.

Valentino Herrera and his three men easily overcame Guiterrez’s mercenaries. Doña Carmen’s head vaquero told his compadres to hurry. “We must tell Señora Rodriguez as quickly as possible. She will devise a plan to stop Capitan Guiterrez’s men from destroying the de la Vegas’ property!”

ZZZZZZZZZZ

Herrera told Señora Rodriguez that his men had captured Pancho Gomez, and a Lancer named Martinez, both of who were Guiterrez’s mercenaries. With a little alcoholic beverage and finally some physical “encouragement,“ the Commandante’s thugs had been rapidly persuaded to reveal all of Capitan Guiterrez’s diabolical strategy.

Carmen thought quickly after hearing the sickening plans. “Most of our vaqueros are on the range now, eh, Herrera? “

“Sí, Señora Rodriguez.”

“Then we shall need all the help we can obtain. Valentino, please deliver this note to Don Alfredo requesting that I meet with him at once. Tell him that his friend Alejandro de la Vega is in grave danger! I shall send word to Don Diego asking that he gather as many of his vaqueros as he is able to fight the Commandante!”

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Don Alfredo very reluctantly agreed to see Senora Rodriguez. He was one of Doña Carmen’s chief critics in Los Angeles of her lifestyle. Don Alfredo did not approve of a woman living alone, even though Senora Rodriguez was a widow. Women of genteel upbringing belonged either in the convent, or within the sacred bounds of matrimony. If their husbands predeceased them, the widows should live with either their own families or with the late husbands’ relatives. But he felt that a woman should never live alone!

One hour later, Señora Rodriguez was completely surprised that Don Alfredo sent word that he agreed to see her right away. Since he made no secret in polite society that he detested her, Carmen was extremely nervous at meeting him alone. ‘Well, Carmen you could not very well bring along Diego de la Vega for protection could you?‘

Don Alfredo greeted her lukewarmly and motioned for her to take a seat. Although her host did not offer her some refreshment, Doña Carmen swiftly decided to use as much charm as possible in dealing with his obvious aversion to her. She barely had enough time to convince Don Alfredo to help her in stopping Capitan Guiterrez’s plans to completely ruin the de la Vegas. And she still had to gather her men and plot strategy with her beloved Fox.

‘Blessed Virgin please let me find the right words to convince Don Alfredo to help me!’ “Gracias, Don Alfredo, for your, may I be frank, unexpected hospitality.”

“Señora Rodriguez,” he interrupted, “please let us dispense with the formalities! I am seeing you only because my old friend, Alejandro de la Vega, as you claim, may be in serious trouble!”

“Very well, señor. My most trusted vaquero, Valentino Herrera, has told you of the treachery that is planned against the de la Vegas?“

Herrera bowed low before Don Alfredo. “Sí, I have explained this to the padrone.“ He snapped his fingers and two of Doña Carmen‘s men dragged in Lancer Luis Martinez and Pancho Gomez both bruised and bloodied.

“I again ask for your pardon, Don Alfredo and Doña Carmen, but time is short and I had to resort to ah, other measures to obtain the necessary information. As you can see for yourself, the Capitan is also using government soldiers to perform his foul deeds, padrone!” Herrera added hastily.

Don Alfredo listened with mounting anger to the soldier’s tale of bribery, enslavement of the local Indians, and the capitan’s gold mining scheme.

“Santa Maria, I shall certainly help you, Señora Rodriguez!” He asked when would the raid start.

Doña Carmen frowned. “In a few hours, señor! We barely have time to prepare for Guiterrez's men tonight.” Lancer Martinez hiccupped, “All of you fancy gente di razon cannot stop us! We shall destroy the de la Vegas and anyone else who stands in Señor D'oro’s way!”

Valentino cuffed the man across his weasel like face. “Silencio, porco! Have respect for Don Alfredo and Senora Rodriguez!” Herrera hissed at the Lancer.

"Don Alfredo, I must leave immediately to warn the de la Vegas! Since this is roundup season, I shall try my best to bring as many men as I can spare!“ Doña Carmen said as she rose to leave.

He escorted her to his patio gate. “I thank you for trying to help my old friend, Don Alejandro de la Vega.”

“Por nada, señor! Now I really must be going!”

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Señor D'oro sincerely hoped that Capitan Guiterrez was fond of pain, for he intended that the Commandante would die in a slow and exquisitely protracted manner---after he had relieved Guiterrez of all of his ill-gotten gold. ‘That is my price for your failure to eliminate Zorro and La Doña Negra!'

How he would savor making his cousin living in the pueblo La Reina des Los Angeles suffer for not loaning him money when he desperately needed it 25 years ago! ‘Cousin, it was my business that I wanted the loan to repay my gaming debts! Many dons and most of their male offspring spent quite a lot of their leisure time in Spain, carousing - wenching, drinking and gambling. Ah, cousin, you generously gave to other members of our family throughout the years since then! You did not ask your friends why they needed money when they requested your aid!

The caballero from Spain bitterly recalled the circumstances that estranged him from members of his family. He inherited a wine export business from his family in Madrid just before Diego de la Vega was born. Señor D’oro received funds from his relatives whenever he needed it for the business. He wanted to begin a winery in Alta California, where his cousin Alejandro de la Vega’s father had already established a small but highly successful rancho near La Reina de Los Angeles. Don Alejandro was preoccupied with becoming a new father and was involved in managing his father’s business interests in Madrid.

Unknown to Don Alejandro, his cousin had become addicted to gambling with cards. Senor D’oro kept borrowing larger and larger sums of money from his company. Alejandro was asked by his cousin’s family to examine the company’s accounts. He soon discovered that D’oro used the company money to repay his gambling debts. Alejandro suggested to his cousin that he salvage his honor by selling his expensive hacienda and all of his land in Spain to repay his debts.

After having followed Alejandro's advice, D’oro asked Alejandro for the paltry sum of 2,000 pesos to cover the last of his gambling debts. Senor D’oro remembered quite clearly the contempt in Don Alejandro’s voice when de la Vega refused to loan him the money. ‘You have squandered your inheritance, ruined both the family business and your honor! If I give you the money, cousin, you will only use it to gamble! Ayi!’ As the years passed, D’oro constantly replayed that conversation in his mind. Finally, he could no longer bear knowing that Alejandro de la Vega lived blissfully unaware and uncaring about the pain he caused D’oro.

When he could not meet the remainder of his financial obligations, his family forced Senor D’oro to leave Spain in disgrace. He spent the next 25 years blaming Alejandro de la Vega for his misfortunes. By 1820, D’oro was a wealthy don in his own right. He lived in Cuba, having made tens of thousands of pesos in the African slave trade, selling them at exorbitant prices to the Americans.

Senor D’oro sat back in his elegantly appointed carreta as it rambled on the Camino Real toward La Reina de Los Angeles. Alejandro had produced a son, Diego de la Vega, who was born when Alejandro was past his forty-second birthday. But after Diego returned from the university in Madrid, it seemed that the younger de la Vega was more interested in ‘pursuing the pleasures of wine and song.' He was not concerned about learning the operations of his father’s rancho. Diego showed no sign of wanting to learn the operations of his father’s rancho. Diego also showed no sign of wanting to settle down. Everyone in Alta California knew how much Don Alejandro desired male grandchildren to carry on the de la Vega name.

‘Cousin, Alejandro, my old nemesis, I shall exact my revenge on you, with the help of Capitan Guiterrez and others in positions of authority who have been in my employ for a long time!’

And unfortunately for the de la Vegas, his plans for their ruin were well underway.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Diego was quite upset when Doña Carmen cancelled their noon meeting because he had many important things to discuss with her, especially regarding their changed attitudes toward each other! ‘And now the Capitan and his anonymous business partner, Señor D’oro, or whatever his real name is, have chosen this moment to make their exit from California! Dios!’

e angrily crushed the note marked “urgent” that she sent to him. Carmen told him about Capitan Guiterrez’s plan to stampede their cattle and torch the hacienda. ‘It seems that the greater good must once again take precedence over my personal happiness! Santa Maria, will I ever be able to marry and have children?‘ Diego whipped out his rapier and slashed at the candles burning on the pine table holding the rest of his black clothes. ‘Ah, by the virgin, better to worry about that issue later and concentrate on the current problem Doña Carmen.’

As he threw on his Zorro costume, he focused all of his thoughts on Carmen. ‘Dios! ‘Why does she have to ride as La Negra? Such a life is not fit for a woman, especially a woman of hidalgo blood! I can handle Capitan Guiterrez and his posse of thugs. Wait until we are betrothed and married! I want a wife who will --’

That new idea stunned him! ‘I TRULY LOVE DOÑA CARMEN!’ Before he donned his mask, he looked at himself in a small mirror. ‘Senor Diego de la Vega, also known as The Fox, do you know who you really are? Indeed, are you the Hunter or the Hunted? Many times you have wondered where Diego ends and where Zorro begins - or even if you want to have that knowledge! Perhaps, Diego, since you were so busy wanting to hate Doña Carmen by believing old court gossip, you should have really listened to your heart! You might have noticed her better qualities much sooner than you did!’

He chuckled to himself. ‘Well, I can certainly recommend this condition to each and every caballero that I meet in the future! Wake, up Diego! You, as the Chinese say, live in interesting times.’

As Diego finished dressing, Bernardo raced into the secret room from down below to tell him that a masked lady dressed in black was inside the cave asking for El Zorro. Bernardo was very agitated and his signing became frantic. ’How did this lady find her way to the secret cave?’ He signed. ‘Why is Tornado acting as if he recognizes her, my master? Suppose someone followed her?‘ He pulled at the small amount of hair remaining on his balding head in frustration. Zorro’s mute friend continued to sign so rapidly that the Fox grinned at him despite poor Bernardo’s distress.

”Bernardo, I realize that you are angry with me, but you are speaking too fast! Slow down! I can hardly understand what you are saying!” Zorro made Bernardo sit so that the Fox could answer his questions. Then he told Bernardo the Dark Lady’s true identity.

His manservant frowned. ‘And why did you not tell me earlier that Senora Rodriguez is La Doña Negra? Why did you not confide in me?’ Bernardo’s eyes grew misty and his complexion became very red.

Zorro knew that he had been extremely wrong to conceal La Doña Negra’s identity from his confidante. He was deeply ashamed of himself. “Si, my dearest friend, I should have told you earlier! I have not had much time lately even to think, Bernardo! Remember the night Tornado brought me home?” The Fox paused and placed his arm on his friend’s shoulder. “Well, my benefactors were none other than Doña Carmen and her maid, Maria! Some of Doña Carmen’s men have captured a vaquero called Pancho Gomez and a Lancer named Martinez. They have ‘persuaded’ the Commandante’s mercenaries to talk about Capitan Guiterrez’s entire mining operations. Now the Commandante and his financial broker, the man who calls himself ‘Senor D’oro, ‘ plan to burn down our hacienda and run off all of our cattle!”

Bernardo watched Zorro’s face become greatly animated as he began discussing Doña Carmen’s exploits against the Commandante. Suddenly Bernardo understood Zorro’s strange behavior. He smiled broadly at his master. He threw up his arms and then mockingly struck an exaggerated pose by placing his hands saucily on his hips. In the air Bernardo sketched a bow and arrow, and shot his imaginary arrows straight at Zorro’s chest. ‘You sincerely love Doña Carmen, do you not, my master?’ Bernardo finished signing.

Zorro adjusted his scabbard and tenderly placed his right hand on Bernardo‘s shoulder. “Don’t worry Bernardo, my old friend! In due time, I shall tell you everything that has been in my mind and heart!”

Bernardo just stood there wearing his “you have deliberately ignored my question” look.

“All right, Bernardo, I confess! The answer is most adamantly, yes! I deeply love Carmen Rodriguez and I intend to marry her once this affair is over.“

Bernardo slapped Zorro on his back. His face beamed his approval of his master’s decision.

Zorro and Bernardo hurried down the stairs to the cave where Bernardo finished saddling Tornado.

“Buenos tardes, El Zorro!” La Doña Negra said in the secret cave as she petted Tornado's muzzle. She bowed to him and then acknowledged Bernardo‘s presence with a wave of her hand. “Bernardo, also please extend a very pleasant evening to Don Alejandro.”

Bernardo grinned mischievously at her. He patted Tornado affectionately his muzzle and then he left the two of them alone.

“Well, I take it Señor Zorro, you received my note?“ She crossed her arms over her chest.

Zorro said nothing and stood there grinning at first, his golden brown gaze sweeping adoringly over her body. He finally nodded and then told her they must discuss his strategy to defeat Capitan Guiterrez’s and Señor D’oro’s diabolical plans.

“La Doña Negra, about the raid tonight -- you are not accompanying me to fight Capitan Guiterrez and his mercenaries! I want you to remain here. At least you will be in far less danger near the hacienda!”

“But, El Zorro, I mean Diego --I must deal with that...”

“The despicable Commandante, El Raton.’ I know. Nevertheless, I insist that you listen to me, please-” The Fox looked deeply into her dark lavender eyes. ‘You forget, El Zorro, the inner strength this woman possesses! Did she not single-handedly fight and win a duel against a most formidable opponent?’ He chided himself.

The Dark Lady had moved herself closer until she stood just beneath his chin. Her breathing became heavy and she was blinking her eyes seductively.

“Furthermore, La Doña Negra ---BY ALL THE SANTOS-- “he pulled her to his chest and then he kissed her directly on the lips. “You are driving me wild, querida!“ He affectionately held her head against his shoulder. “Will you marry me, Senora Rodriguez?”

The Dark Lady sighed audibly. “Sí, of course I will! How long I have yearned that you would ask me to be your wife! MI CORAZON!”

Seeing his face shine with love even through the mask made her heart leap inside her. It was worth enduring his earlier contempt and the gente de razon’s ostracism. Now that he had declared his love for her, she was ecstatic.


Chapter Twelve


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