Chapter 4
by Marian Robinson
"N-E-WWW legends, you say? Forgive me for being
so inquistive, Senor. But I am curious. How can you write about
a new legend? A legend in itself has to be about
someone in the past, does it not? At least that is what I
understood in my studies in Spain."
Don Armando composed himself and continued the
conversation. "So! What new legend would you be talking
about?" he asked.
"Oh, I would say this El Zorro that came to free Don Nacho
Torres last night will become a legend in his own time. This
man, whoever he is, is a marvelous rider, sits his black steed
very well," Johnston said.
Don Armando swallowed hard but barely noticeablely. "So you
saw this outlaw up close? Do you have any idea who he could
be?" he asked, his attention fixed on the San Franciscan.
"Senor Catalano, remember, I am a stranger and newcomer to
this pueblo. I do not know many people yet. How could I
possibly identify this masked man? But Zorro reared his horse
near my balcony last night and waved to me and my friend.
Instead of racing by he seemed to risk saying "Hello" on
purpose. Now I wonder why he did this? Playing Cat and
Mouse with the lancers maybe? Oh, I might have an idea who
this Zorro could be but I am not going to say who, for fear of
getting this good man into trouble...more than he is now,"
Johnston said.
"A good man?! But Senor, he is branded an OUTLAW and an
outlaw is not to be hailed a hero!" Don Armando paled even
more, even beneath his olive skin.
"Do not worry, I will never tell. I mean, what would I have to gain
by exposing someone who fights injustice? Senor, where I
come from, injustice and tyranny should be fought." He patted
Don Armando on the shoulder and continued to walk onward.
Don Armando and Bernardo were speechless and watched
'Juan Martinez' walk away.
"Bernardo, we will need to keep an eye on this one. I sense we
can trust him, but we have to be sure," Don Armando whispered.
Bernardo nodded vigorously.
"I need to see if Don Nacho got to the mission without incident.
Monastario will eventually find him. We will do some errands first.
I do not want to arrive at the mission too early or the good padre
would put us to work picking oranges....eh?" as Don Armando
poked Bernardo and they both smiled as they went off to do their
errands.....
