Don Diego felt much flattered at the consideration shown by Don Ruy for the “Relaciones”––in fact he had so pleased an interest in the really clever young pen-man that the Padre took little heed of the boy––he was of as much account as a pet puppy in the expedition––but if the would-be historian needed a secretary––or fancied he did,––the lad would be less trouble than an older man if circumstances should arise to make trouble of any sort.
So it chanced that Juan Gonzalvo and Manuel Lenares, called Chico, were the only two included in the company who had not been confessed and enrolled by Padre Vicente himself.
It was the magic time of the year, when new leaves open to the sun, and the moon, even in the bare desert stretches of the land, brought dreams of Castile to more than one of the adventurers.
“Good Father,” said Don Ruy with feigned complaint, “Think you not that your rigid rules for the journey might have stopped short of hopeless celibacy for all of us?––Why a moon like that and Venus ascendent unless to make love by?”
“The brightness of that same moon saved you nothing of a cracked pate the hour of fortune when we first met,” observed Padre Vicente drily.––“Maids or matrons on the journey would have caused broken heads in the desert as handily as in the city streets.”
“By the faith––your words are of wisdom and 81 much to be valued by his highness,” agreed Don Diego. “Make note of that thought for the Relaciones Chico, my son. This pious quest may be a discipline of most high import to all of us. Wifeless should we ride as rode the crusaders of an older day.”
“Tum-a-tum-tum!” Don Ruy trolled a fragment of love melody, and laughed:––“I have no fancy for your penances. Must we all go without sweethearts because you two have elected to be bachelors for the saving of souls? Think you the Indian maids will clamor for such salvation? I lay you a wager, good father, that I win as many converts with love songs and a strip of moonlight, as do you both with bell and book!”
Around the camp fires of the nights strange tales were told––and strange traits of character unconsciously given to the light, and to all the far seeing Padre gave note;––in emergencies it is ever well to know one’s resources.
José the Te-hua slave––caught first by the Navahu––traded to the Apaches––thence to neighbors of the south––after years of exile, was the one who had but few words. All the queries of the adventurers as to gold in the north gained little from him––only he remembered that fine yellow grains were in some streams, and it was said that other yellow metal was in secret places, but he did not profess to be a knower of High Things––and it was half a life time since his eyes had rested on his own people.
He was a silent man whose words were in the main for his Ysobel and the boy secretary. But the gold nugget worn smooth in the pocket of Padre Vicente was as a charm to find its parent stock in all good time! Men were with them who knew minerals in 82 other lands!––It would go hard but that it should be found!