"The de la Vega Rancho"
Diego was playing the piano with Santiago standing just behind him listening with rapt enjoyment, when Don Alejandro returned home. He waited politely while Diego finished the piece and then greeted the Magistrado.
"Your Excellency, I am so sorry I was not here to greet you when you arrived," he said. "Diego has seen to your comfort? Is there anything you wish?"
Santiago smiled and said, "Do not worry, Don Alejandro. I have been well received by Don Diego. He was just playing a few songs for me at my request. We have had a splendid visit and I thank him for that. But now I should like to spend some time with you if you would be so generous? I would like to see your lands, your vineyards and your cattle. And I understand that you have bred some fine horses as well. As you know, it is my wish to become well acquainted with all those in my district."
Don Alejandro bowed. "It would give me the greatest pleasure to show you the de la Vega rancho, Your Excellency. I am at your service."
Santiago turned to Diego. "Would you care to accompany us, Don Diego?"
Smiling, Diego said with a small bow, "Of course, Your Excellency."
Don Alejandro was a bit surprised, as Diego normally took no interest in the workings of the rancho, but then he decided that Diego was coming along because it was the Magistrado who had asked for his company. It no longer occurred to him to make the effort to ask his son to accompany him as he made the daily rounds of the rancho. He had been turned down too many times. Throwing away any further dark thoughts he may have had about Diego’s choices, he escorted the Magistrado out of the house.
The Magistrado was impressed when Don Alejandro took him to the vineyards and let him see the wine making operation and the wine cellar. The three of them discussed how the soils and the climate were right for growing the grapes which produced such excellent wines. Santiago admired the many grapevines, just beginning to show the tender new leaf buds of spring. They all agreed that wine was a commodity which could be exported and they talked about how this could enhance California’s standing as an exporting colony if they could get all the landholders to join in the effort.
All three men were very knowledgeable about wine and they enjoyed their conversation together. In this subject, Diego was able to participate completely, discussing the topic without fear of exposing himself. He found a curious freedom in this.
After reviewing the winery, Don Alejandro took the Magistrado next to see his horses. He was especially proud to show Princessa to Señor Santiago. That she was Don Alejandro’s pride and joy was evident in the grand smile on his face as she was brought over to them. One of the vaqueros tending the herd saddled her for the Magistrado and he rode her in a large circuit around the valley, leaning forward and letting her fly. He was smiling with satisfaction when he returned.
"She is magnificent, Don Alejandro!" he exclaimed, as he pulled up beside Diego and his father. Princessa was breathing deeply, but was not winded. "I believe that she could run all day and never feel it. And such speed!" Santiago reached down and stroked the filly’s neck as she moved restlessly beneath him. "I have never seen a faster horse."
Proudly, Don Alejandro said, "She has never lost a race, Your Excellency. No one can catch her."
"Oh, there is one horse who might be able to beat her," said Diego, with a sly look on his face.
When the other men looked at him, he said, "Zorro’s horse, Tornado."
"Humph!" said Don Alejandro gruffly, dismissing that thought out of hand. "I would like to see him try. Princessa would leave him like he was standing still."
"Well said, Don Alejandro, well said!" said Santiago, laughing. "Perhaps we should extend an invitation to this Zorro for a match race. Then, once Princessa has beaten him, we will arrest him for being so arrogant as to believe he could win such a race!"
Diego joined in with the laughter of the other two men. He loved Princessa well, but he knew who would win such a race. Tornado had never met his match. Of course, he could not say this out loud, but it was true nevertheless.
Santiago said, "Don Alejandro, I know you could never be convinced to part with Princessa, but I would deem it a honor if you would allow me to purchase her first foal when it is time." In the recesses of his mind, he already owned Princessa and this rancho, but he must continue to play his game.
Don Alejandro was feeling quite magnanimous and said, "It would be my honor to give her first foal to Your Excellency. As a gift."
"Oh no, Don Alejandro, I could not let you do that," said Santiago. "It is too much. No, I will buy the foal from you for a fair price."
Don Alejandro would not have it. "Please, Your Excellency. Princessa’s first colt is yours and I will not accept a centavo in payment." His face was set.
Santiago did not wish to antagonize the man, at least not now, and so he graciously accepted the gift. It did not matter. By the time such a foal would be born, Santiago knew that he would be its owner one way or another. He smiled.
Reluctantly turning the filly over to the vaquero, Santiago mounted his own horse and the trio continued their tour. He was impressed at Don Alejandro’s vast land holdings and his herds of cattle. There were at least three large herds, watched over by the de la Vega vaqueros, in various sections of the rancho. Santiago noticed how Diego held back from the discussions about the cattle and the hides and tallow they produced. Don Alejandro ignored this lack of interest by his son, delving into the details of cattle breeding with gusto. Santiago listened politely.
Diego had decided he must put on his guise again before his father became suspicious concerning his newfound interest in the rancho and let his palomino drift away from the conversation of the other two men. He again began to reflect upon what he was going to do with his life if the need for El Zorro was over. This was nothing new. He had pondered the question many times. He was indeed interested in the breeding of cattle and horses, but he could not let himself appear so, not and maintain his disguise. He felt that he needed to be doing something useful with his life, but as long as there might arise a need for his services as Zorro, he would not let what he had so carefully built up as his image be compromised. However, it was becoming harder to still the restlessness growing inside of him. His attention was drawn back to his father as he was hailed. He was surprised to see how far away he had drifted.
"Diego!" called Don Alejandro across the distance. "We are going now."
Diego raised his hand to acknowledge him, and galloped his horse to rejoin the two men. They continued up into the high ground until they reached the hill just to the east of the hacienda. From this vantage point, a vast panorama was spread out before them. They could see the hacienda and all the out buildings, the corral, and the road which passed the hacienda leading into Los Angeles.
Proudly, Don Alejandro made a sweeping motion with his hand as he said, "All the land you see, Your Excellency, is de la Vega land."
"Very impressive," said Santiago, sincerely. He had decided here and now, that no matter how much land and property he was soon to acquire with his scheme, this place, the de la Vega rancho, was going to be his home. He dearly wanted to possess it. He would never sell it to the Americanos.
As if to echo his thoughts, Don Alejandro said, "This place is a part of me, Your Excellency. There is nowhere on earth I would rather be. I will never leave it. When I die, I will return to the earth from whence I came." He pointed to their left, toward a small graveyard shaded by a single large tree.
There, Santiago could see several graves, lovingly cared for, surrounded by a low iron fence. They turned their horses and approached at a walk. Santiago read the names on the headstones and knew this was the family cemetery. He could see the name Isabella on one stone and knew from the date of her passing that this must be the grave of Don Alejandro’s wife, Diego’s mother. He removed his hat out of respect. He was able to observe the look on Don Alejandro’s face and knew that the elder de la Vega still grieved for the loss of his wife. He saw how the father reached out and put his hand on the shoulder of his son, looking for comfort and offering the same. Pressing his lips tightly together, Santiago considered his own wife. She was neither living nor dead. If she were the one lying there in the ground, would it make any difference to him? At the moment, he could not imagine that it would, except that he would then have his freedom. Freedom to seek another . . . .
Don Alejandro broke into his thoughts as he said, "Well, Your Excellency, you have seen a great portion of the rancho, though by no means all of it. Would you like to return to the hacienda for some refreshments?"
Recovering quickly, Santiago said with a smile, "Sí, Don Alejandro, I would like that." With one last glance at the graves, he followed the de la Vegas as they rode down the path leading back to the hacienda. He spent a few moments drinking a glass of wine in the patio with them, then made his farewells. As he rode back to the pueblo, he mused upon all he had learned so far. The main thing which stood out from all the rest was that Don Alejandro de la Vega could not be accused of treason. He was powerful man, too well respected by his peers and with too many friends in high places, chief among them the governor. He was untouchable. No, the man he would target would have to be another. His thoughts turned to the son.
Diego de la Vega.
Yes, this had certain possibilities. While Santiago could not get at Don Alejandro directly, there was no such protection for the son. Not if he worked it right. Accuse the son of treason, with such damning evidence as Santiago was sure that he could manufacture, and there would be nothing the old man could do. Everyone already knew Diego had a certain reputation for being a non-conformist. What better cover for a conspirator than that of the idle rich man’s son who was a scholar and music lover? Then, in a moment of inspiration, from sources he did not stop to question, Santiago had it. He knew the basis for his whole plan now. From this framework, he would build his whole case against Diego and split the de la Vegas wide apart. He would use this almost mythical character of El Zorro, building him into the fearsome leader of an army concealed somewhere in the mountains. An army just waiting to be unleashed on the population of California. This outlaw would be using Diego as his front man, gathering munitions and supplies for his army along with gathering intelligence concerning troop movements and intercepting official communications. And where would Diego be able to get such information as this? Why, he would be appointed as the assistant deputy to the Magistrado, that’s where.
Yes, Santiago could see it all now. He would appeal to young de la Vega’s sense of honor and justice and prey upon his idealism. Santiago would prevail upon him to join the Magistrado’s office as his assistant. He was sure that he could accomplish this. He would use this to direct de la Vega to this place or that, to be seen with certain men whom Santiago could prove beyond the shadow of a doubt had been involved in that vile conspiracy of the Eagle’s and who had now joined the conspiracy of El Zorro. He would plant evidence here and there, building up his case behind Diego’s back until it was air tight. As a final bit of top dressing, he would have Diego arrested in the act of meeting with his traitorous leader, El Zorro. And what of Zorro? he mused. The real Zorro had disappeared. No one had seen him since the demise of the Eagle. He had vanished as mysteriously as he had come. Santiago was inclined to believe that, whoever he had been, he had either moved on or had met with some death or other. Men who lived by the sword were apt to die by the sword. Perhaps his horse had merely stumbled on some dark night and he had fallen and broken his outlaw’s neck in some out of the way place, never to be found. In any case, using Zorro’s name would suit his purpose now and he had just the man to take Zorro’s place, one of those he had hidden, so the outlaw could be seen lurking about the district when necessary.
And what would this conviction and hanging of young de la Vega do for his plans? One: it would send a chill of fear throughout this entire region of California, setting everyone’s nerves on edge. Two: It would break the old man’s heart, leaving him vulnerable in the way no frontal assault could do. Three: Santiago would continue to have rumors circulated about Zorro’s army preparing to attack. Four: He would push at old Alejandro and his broken heart and induce him to sell out to his friend, the Magistrado and leave the country. Five: With Don Alejandro’s influence broken, the dam would burst and the rest of the landowners would be ready to stampede, leaving him to pick up their lands at ridiculously low prices. Six: All he would have to do then would be to consolidate his holdings and wait upon the Americanos to come. Seven: He would enjoy the rest of his life as a rich and powerful man.
These were only the rough details, of course. Santiago knew he would spend a great deal of time carefully crafting his scheme, allowing nothing to escape his scrutiny. Never would he move in haste. No, softly and inexorably he would build his case against Diego de la Vega, just as a serpent moves in for the kill. And when he struck, there would be no escape.
