The fray read the pass and handed it back.
“It passes my understanding that you possess such a paper,” he said. “Yet, on the other hand, it is not a matter to excite wonder. It is understood that the Governor is not particular to whom he issues passes.”
“I shall take it upon myself to see you punished for your insolence, fray! A man who wears a gown should know more of courtesy.”
“There is no horse here for you, señor. I have spoken.”
“You are not the only horse owner in San Juan Capistrano!”
“No man here will sell you one, nor give it you, nor make an exchange.”
“And why is that?”
“Need you question?”
“Most certainly I question. This is the first discourtesy I have found along El Camino Real. Even the soldiers at the Santa Barbara presidio aided me on my way, gave me food and wine. The good fray at San Fernando recommended me to a friend in Reina de Los Angeles. And here, it appears, one cannot even buy a horse with gold. I await your explanation, fray.”
“I have no explanation to give you, señor, nor do I recognise your right to one. If the frailes to the north have been misled, I have nothing to say. We of the south, however, have scant courtesy for men of a certain stamp.”