Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday "Look there," cried Dolores pres- ently. "What is that under the trie?" " A man—he's hurt, I think,' said Francisco. "We'll go and see to him." , "Why, it's Rayinonc'o, one of father's men," exclaimed Dolores, as they reached the tree. " Are you hurt, Ray- mondo ? What has happened '!" " The gringos, senorita," groaned the man. "What did they do to you?" cried Franci-'co fiercely. "I ^^as bringing home some cattle last night," gasped Raymondo, "and 1 met some of the judge's men. They started firing guns to frighten the cattle, and I asked tlicm to stop." "Well?" queried Francisco eagerly, as the man btopped for breath. " They laughed, and laid about me ■with their whips. Then they threw mo under this tree. My leg's broken, 1 think—I can't move." The man groaned again, and Francisco and his sister knelt down to attend to his injuries. "Yes. I believe his leg is broken," said the young man, standing up. "I will go for help,, and then I am riding to Los Angeles to settle our account with that judge." "No, no," cried Dolores. "Dpn't make trouble with him just now, for father's sake. Go with the cattle, as you promised." "Are wo to sit still under an outrage like this ?" stormed Francisco. "I don't say that." said Dolores. " But you don't know cnougli about things in this country vot to do any good. All tlie chief gringos here are bad men. One day there will conio betlcr Americans, and then we can get justice. I'll see to Raymondo while you st.irt with the cattle. For my sake, Francisco!" she added pleadingly. "For \o\\T sake, little sister," said Francisco, taking her in his arms and kissing her lovingly. " For your sake. I will go as I promised, but—when I come back, let these accursed gringos beware!" Francisco went away to the north, and some days later he drew rein a mile or two out of the town of Spanish fJulcli. He had brought a great herd of cattle .so far in safety, cattle to be delivered to Peter Harknes,s, the American Land Commis- sioner of North California. "I want you to hold the cattle here," lio called to Pedro, one of his men. " I w'ill ride into the town with tTuan. and find where we are to deliver them." The young don rode into the town, noticing as he wont along the street that most of the houses were wooden erections, ver.v roughly built. Presently he came to the saloon, and there he stopped, for a notice on the wall attracted his atten- tion. "It has 1 een agreed hy all Americans here that all foreigners speaking Spanish better get out c.f tliis town within three days. " (Signed) Petkr HAEKNE88." BOY'S CINEMA ho read the notice. Ho dismounted, hitched his horse to a rail, and walked into the saloon, followed by Juan. " Can you tell me where Scnor Hark- ness is?" ho asked the first man he saw. "It's a hoHday," came the reply. "1 reckon he's down town somewhere making a speech. He'll be along soon." "Well, I'll wait here," said Francisco, going up to the bar to order a drink. Everyone in the saloon stared at the handsome stranger, and presently a girl came up to him. " W^on't you sit here with me, senor?" slie asked with a persuasive smile, indi eating a table. "My name is Lupe. I want you to meet my friend Carlos." Carlos, a man with dark hair, ob- viouslv a Mexican half-breed, was sit- ting at the table, and Francisco summed up the couple at a glance. The girl was probably going to try to get him to drink heavily, and then to induce him to play cards with Carlos, who was plaiidy enough a crook. But the young don was nhvavs polite to women of whatever degree, so ho bowed, sat down, and ordered drinks. A loud burst of cheering and laughter in the street brought the whole company to the door to sec a ridiculous sight. Up to the .saloon rode a burly, florid faced man. mounted on an exceed- ingly small donke.v. A tumultuous mob accompanied him on either side, scream- ing with laughter. The dignified young don. afler one disdainful glance, went back again to the table in disgust, accompanied by Lupe and Carlos. " Wlio is that—the one on top, 1 mean ?" he asked scornfully. Carlos grinned, but made no reply. Lupe, with a slight shudder which Fran- cisco did not fail to notice, informed the don that the donkey-rider was the man he had come to meet. "He's the big man of the town," she said. "'J'hat'.s Peter Harkncss, the Land Commissioner." Harkness got off the donkey at tlie door of the saloon, and came in. As soon as he entered the door he .saw Lui)c standing by Franci.sco's side, and an angry scowl came over his heavy face at once. "What are you doing. Lupe?" h^^ shouted harshl.\, beginning to push through the crowd towards the gill. Don Francisco glared across at the advancing Commissioner, while Lupe and Carlos, anticipating a row. looketl up at the young don anxiously. "The senorita has done me the honour of asking me to drink with her." b<j said suavely. ' ■ "You greaser—you dirty, low-down greaser," shouted Harkness atiu;rily. "You leave my girl alone, you Mexican .scum! 1 thought I'd run all the grea-sers oul of thit town. Take that!" Raising the whip he canied. he slashed Francisco viciously across the face, rais- ing a Jong weal down the young man's cheek. Don Francisco instantly knoc-ked Harkness down with a powerful right to the jaw. The American got up again in a flash, and charged like a wild beast, his face furious with wrath. As he camo he drew his gun. but the "greaser" was too quick for him. Francisco wrenched the gun away, hurled it through the window, and forthwith knocked Harkness down again. Tliis time the Commissioner ro.-e more slowly, and called to the crowd of Ameri- cans in the saloon to seize the "greaser." A number of men rushed forward at the call. Francisco, ably seconded by Juan, fought furiously, and several of the "gringos " of Spanish Gukh bore marks of that fight for da.vs afterward.s. But the odds were too gi'eat, and in five minutes both the Mexicans had been securely roped to posts. Then Harkness canio up to them, an evil grin on his face. "Now, Mr. tJreaser," he cried, "take that!" He hit the hi'l|)leiss Francisco in the face with all his force, and his own followers murmured uneasily at the cowardly blow. "Say vonr pravers voii Mexican iktinksi' howled Hiikness "I'll give \ou fue minute- ,itul then we'll decor ate the ne,He>t tic( with both of you." A Rtir at the dooi indifated a new uiual The ciowd mule v^ ly as a cry Francisco's face flushed with anger as Don Francisco glared across at the advancing commissioner. Octolre. I7th, 19JI