*********** LAS AVENTURAS DE MACHO CABALLO ************

Disclaimer:  Macho Caballo was inspired by Ranma 1/2 by
Takahashi Rumiko.  This is a work of fiction, and no person,
place, or thing mentioned in Macho Caballo is intended to
depict an actual person, place or thing.  As fiction, the
opinions and views expressed by characters are constructs
for the purpose of telling a story, may vary wildly from the
truth, and are not intended to represent views held by any
real person, including this author.  All other mistakes and
errors are mine.

What has gone before: Ramon has escaped with Lucita from
Sinestro at Don Pedro's ranch.  Leaving Lucita at the Indian
village, he returns home to find his mother ready to train
him in being a girl. His father relates a sad story of a
sister who died.  When Machita goes to market with her
mother the next day, soldiers capture her mother and
ruffians began to chase Machita.


                        MACHO CABALLO

                    PART I: CHAPTER SIETE

                STROLLING THROUGH THE MARKET
                              

HOT PURSUIT:

In the late morning sunlight, steps slowed as shoppers and
merchants alike began to feel the growing warmth.  They were
thinking of quiet lunches with cool drinks in the shade, and
murmured conversations.  There were people strolling along
to their luncheons and Machita had to dodge around them or
throw out her hands to ward them off as she raced through
the streets.  Close behind, her pursuers were less genteel -
above her own harsh breathing she could hear the crashes and
cursing as the two men barreled through the crowd.

The stolen pantalones were loose.  They were too big and
they flapped noisily as Machita ran.  Keeping to the rear of
the market buildings, avoiding piles of dung, seeking
another glimpse of Mama before she was led away, Machita
ran.  The men behind were excellent sprinters, and they were
gaining.

"I have had enough of *this*!" she said, grabbing a club and
waiting, panting, for the foremost of her two pursuers to
barrel around the corner.

As she waited near a doorway, a hand reached out and grabbed
her by the collar, nearly strangling her as she tried to
escape.

"How dare you go about in the middle of town in those
unfeminine clothes?"  A wizened old woman kept an iron grip
on her collar and brought a fly-whisk across her head.  The
frail weapon did not hurt, but Machita flailed helplessly in
her hold.

"Let me go!" she cried, "I have to get away!"

"Not until you promise to go straight home and put on some
suitable clothing!" ordered the old woman, "Wearing men's
pants like this is disgraceful!"

"I'll do it!  I'll do it!" promised Machita, and the old
woman let her go.  She stumbled and came face to face with
the younger of the two men.  He reached for her, and she
swung the club hitting him in the face.  As he fell back
holding his face she turned and ran.

Machita hurried on, now wary of doorways.

Rounding a corner, she caught a low-reaching rafter beam and
used it to swing up onto the roof of a porch.  While the
pursuit pounded past and down the alley, she lay flat on the
sun-baked tile and gasped for air.

Too soon it was time to stir, to find where they were taking
Mama.  Still breathing heavily, Machita rose and surveyed
the alleyway for pursuers before swinging down and heading
back toward the marketplace.


Across the square was an enclosed wagon, with a soldier
guarding it.  She was walking toward it when an exclamation
from behind warned of a renewed chase.  Two different men,
young but intent, burst forth with an angry shout.  Machita
again started toward the wagon, but the guard had been
alerted and readied his pike, and it was time for her to
take flight once more.

The street was sunbaked clay, worn smooth by constant foot
traffic, and they raised hardly any dust as they sped over
it.   Someone moved in the shadows and Machita slid to a
stop, almost falling down; they were waiting at the end of
the way, cutting off escape.  A fence to one side offered a
convenient handhold, so she went up and over it, avoiding
the shards of glass.  It was not long before the chase
resumed, however.

Once more, Machita swung up onto a roof, but this time
someone saw and raised the alarm.  Loose red tiles sliding
underfoot made her footing treacherous as she raced up to
the peak of the roof and down the other side.  Here there
was an overhang with a wagon passing beneath.  It was barely
close enough.  She jumped and landed heavily on the top
crates and the drover turned to see who had hitched a ride,
then resumed his drowsy duty at the reins.

It was a freight wagon, drawn by two heavy mules.  Thanking
the saints for this providence, Machita collapsed on the hot
canvas.  It was going toward the mines.  There would be time
to rest until the wagon was well out of town.  The others
could not catch up unless they had horses.

Unfortunately, these cheerful thoughts reckoned without the
pair who had been giving chase over the rooftops.  One
appeared at the eave almost overhead and looked down at the
figure sprawled on the canvas covered crates atop the wagon.

The pursuer waved to the others and hollered, "<Aqui>! I
have found her!  Here she is!"  They set out across the
dusty field to cut off the wagon.

Machita was too out of breath to invent any new curse words,
but she tried.

She abandoned the wagon as soon as it rolled behind a sandy
rise, out of sight of the men pursuing her.  Better a dash
out on the sunbaked flat than to remain on the wagon and
certain capture.  She tied the loose ends of her outsized
shirt to keep them from flapping and dug her heels in for
more speed through the sandy creek bottom.

`<Los hombres incultos>' would be after her soon enough.

When her lungs burned with exhaustion, she slowed and looked
back.  They were there.  Just now several men were at the
stone road where she had jumped from the wagon, but they had
found her tracks and were after her again.

But in looking back, she failed to see the trail ahead and
ran into a lowhanging limb.  She lost precious seconds
climbing out of the streambed.

They were waiting for her at the dry river bed, cutting off
any escape, surrounding her.  Machita determined that she
would not surrender without a fight.  She grabbed a crooked
tree branch for use as a club and swung it expertly, taking
out a couple of the men before they pinned her arms and
knocked her down.

Her face burning from the blow, Machita glared defiantly at
her assailant.  He drew back his fist, but an older man held
him back.  "Stop!  She must be unhurt!" he exclaimed, "She
is worth nothing to us if she is injured!"

"She nearly broke my jaw!" snarled the younger man, "She is
going to pay for doing that!"

"He will cut our hearts out if one of us breaks even one of
her fingernails," said the older man, "I would rather face a
hungry <tigre> than that.  Already you have bruised her
face!"

The deep sand muffled the sound of hooves until the horseman
was upon them, barreling into the midst of the men and
knocking several to the side.  Dust billowed up about the
cowboy as he cut between them and their quarry, stopped his
horse and backed it into their path.

Sandy surveyed the toughs and fixed them with a scowl.
"<Last time I seen coyotes take down an antelope, it only
took two coyotes and they gave it a running start>," he
said.

The younger tough cursed at him.  The leader stepped back
from them while the younger man grasped the handle of a
machete in his belt.

"<Go right ahead>," Sandy said with a wicked grin, "<You
pull that pigsticker.  See what it gets you>."  He rested
his left hand on the worn butt of his pistol, and glanced
over at Machita.

There were four miners and only one cowboy, but by the time
the miners decided the odds were in their favor, three more
riders came galloping up through the dust.

"<Dang it, Sandy>!" exclaimed Calpern, "<How am I going to
keep an eye on you with you bustin' out all alone?  I bring
you back all cut up and your Ma would skin me alive>!"

"<Saw this little parade goin' on out here and thought I'd
take a look,>" said Sandy, "<Seemed to me this party was a
little one-sided>."

"Ah, Senores," Francisco addressed the miners, "I believe
that your camp is the other way, no?  It would be a shame to
tell Don Pedro that someone wandered onto his property and
was accidentally shot."  The clack of the hammer of his
scatter-gun being brought to full cock lent menace to his
words.

The toughs muttered among themselves and agreed that they
could leave peaceably.

"<Hola, muchacha>!", said Francisco, "How did you come by
such bad company?"

"They were chasing me.  I have to talk to Don Pedro," cried
Machita, "It is very important.  My mother has been
arrested!"  She tried to explain the urgency of her
situation.

"<You're going to have to give me a hand with this,
compadre>," said Calpern, "<She's jabbering so fast I can't
make head nor tail of what she's sayin'>."

"<She says the soldiers have taken her mother, and she must
get word to Don Pedro>," said Pablo.

"<Well, I got that much.  She seems to expect us to go
galloping off after her Ma.  Don't know what we could do,
just the four of us.  I guess we could offer her a ride back
into town>."

"What can I do to convince you?" said the girl when she saw
them discussing the situation instead of acting.  She pouted
for a moment and then said, "<Agua, por favor>!"

"<Water>?", repeated Calpern.

"<Got a canteen right here>," said Sandy.

Sandy handed her the canteen.  He watched her pour the water
all over herself, then stared in shock.

Calpern's horse backed away from the boy who suddenly
appeared, though it was not clear whether it was the change
that had startled the horse or the old cowboy sawing on the
reins in surprise.

"<Well, I'll be a broke-dick mule!>" Calpern exclaimed, "<I
ain't never seen anything like that>!".

Francisco removed his sombrero and slapped himself in the
face.  "I think maybe I have too much pulque last night," he
announced.

"Hey, Ramon, Machito!" said Pablo, "How'd you do that, man?"

"I am very sorry for this," said Ramon, "But I must get to
the rancho quickly!"

"<What in the blue blazes did you *do* just now>?" demanded
Calpern, who then added, "<Pues, Que cosa es>?"

"I have been cursed by the spirit of the spring," Ramon
explained briefly, "It makes me change suddenly.  Please
forgive me for startling you."

"Startled?  You scared me out of ten years growth!" declared
Calpern.  He pointed toward a white-faced Sandy, "But that
is nothing.  I'm afraid you have just about broken that
young boy's heart!"

Ramon urgently repeated his tale about how the soldiers had
taken Mama off in a covered van, and the cowboys hurried
back to the rancho.  Pablo offered to double up with Ramon,
since Sandy did not want to get near him.

"<I don't know what this critter is>!" he declared.  "<First
it's a seenoreeta then it's this guy.  I ain't lettin' it
near me>!"

"<Now, we will begin the language lesson>," said Francisco,
riding up between Pablo and Sandy.

"<Ain't in the mood>," said Sandy.

"<Don Pedro has said that you shall learn, and whatever Don
Pedro wants, he must have>," insisted the vaquero, "<This is
the first word you will learn>."  He pointed toward Ramon,
riding behind Pablo.

"<Hombre>," he said.

"<I don't care what you call it!  I done told you I ain't
havin' nothing to do with it>!"

Francisco urged his horse close beside the young cowboy.
"<Myself, I do not care if you never speak our language>,"
he said, so close the young Yanquis could smell the chilies
from his last meal, "<But you will not hurt my friend this
way.  He has had something bad happen to him, and he does
the best he can about it.  You will speak to him with
respect or I will teach you something besides language.  I
do not think you would like what I will teach you>."

"<How am I hurtin' *him*?  He snuck around, and pretended to
be a... a *girl*>!"

"<What do you mean, Yanqui, that you think you had feelings
for this girl>?"

Sandy's face turned almost purple.  "<I ain't sayin'
nothin'>!" he yelped, dug in his heels, and his horse leaped
ahead.

They rode in silence.  After a while, Pablo explained what
had transpired.

"<Gracias>," Ramon said to Francisco.  He had not understood
all of what was said, but he knew hatred and fear when he
saw it.  Francisco motioned him to say no more, and wait.

Eventually, Sandy rejoined them.  As they came to the
markers indicating the main portion of the rancho, Francisco
spoke.

"<Is he un hombre?>"

"<Yeah, I guess>."

"<Say it. He is an hombre.  At least for now>."

"<Okay.  Hombre.  Right now, anyhow>."

"<Bueno!  Soon, we will have you speaking as though you were
born here>!"

Sandy edged closer to Pablo's horse.

"<Sorry>," he said, downcast eyes studying the brush
alongside the trail.

"You have said nothing I have not told myself," Ramon said,
but some of the ache began to ease, and it did not hurt so
much to swallow.

"We must get you your own horse," declared Pablo, "You are
no longer the little kid who does not weigh so much!"



OF DREAMS:

     She had been asleep on a blanket.  Close by, there was
     a turquoise pendant hanging from a peg, and it swayed
     occasionally in the breeze.  Her dreams were of
     turquoise water, deep blue-green water at the bottom of
     a pit.  She was being drawn into the water. She could
     not cry out because the fear had paralyzed her.  There
     was something beneath the water, and it waited for her.
     When she awakened, she ran out into the sun and hid
     from the dream.



AND HARD REALITY:

It was a council of war.  Don Pedro was elected the leader
by consent, Calpern was the chief advisor, and Marié was the
caterer.  She lugged the coffee pot out to the porch where
everyone had drawn their chairs into a circle, and she
handed out the steaming mugs of brew.  Francisco, Pablo,
Ramon, and several more vaqueros were gathered about.
Calpern, Sandy, Lonesome, and the rest of the cowboys:
Thomas, Frank, and Jasper, had also thrown in their support.

"<Didn't like that pendejo the first time I saw him>," said
Calpern, "<And the more I know of him, the less I like
him>."

"<Unfortunately, as you say, he `holds all of the cards'>,"
said Don Pedro, "<While I am a landowner and a respected
member of the community, I am also a Spaniard and on very
shaky ground here.  I must move carefully.  During the
revolution, I had troops garrisoned here in this house - to
`protect' me, of course.  Some Spaniards in other valleys
were not so lucky>."

"<Ain't the Alcalde Spanish>?" asked Lonesome.

"<Ahh.  He is Creole.  There is a difference.  When we
removed the Spanish aristocracy from our government, we
inserted our own.  These are people of Spanish descent who
were born here in the new world.  Some of them are indeed
noble with good hearts and the best interests of their
people foremost in their minds>."

"<Hmmm.  I gather this Sinestro ain't one of them>."

"<I am afraid not.  But he has managed to worm his way into
our society and gain considerable authority.  Before I could
move against him I would have to have absolute proof of
wrongdoing, and even then I would be suspected of working
for Spain.  No, in order to help Senora Caballo, we must be
circumspect>."

"<Circumspect?  If that means `sneaky', then I'm all for
it>," Lonesome leaned back and sipped from his mug.

"<I still have a few friends in society>," said Don Pedro,
"<Moreso here than in La Capitol.  Perhaps we can get them
to pass us some information, if not actually help in the
search.  I suspect that Senora Caballo will be held as
hostage, to get me to agree to something.  However, we
cannot afford to wait until Sinestro decides to tell me what
he wants>."

"Ramon," he added, "Why would the Alcalde want your mother?"

"Lucita," answered Ramon.

"<Why in... What would he want with a little kid>?" Calpern
asked.

"For what reason?" asked Don Pedro of Ramon.

"For the gold.  The Alcalde believes her father knows where
there is a lot of gold.  Mama says he is looking for the
Aztec hoard."

Suddenly Ramon became aware that all eyes were on him.  He
stopped and looked around.

"What!?" he asked.

"<That's just a legend, ain't it>?" breathed Lonesome.

"<What is a legend>?" asked Sandy.

"Will someone teach these two to talk?" demanded Don Pedro.

"<We have already begun>," smiled Francisco, and Sandy
looked away.

"<When the Spanish defeated Montezuma, the Aztecs had much
treasure.  Officially, most of the gold and silver was
captured and transported to Spain.  Legends persist,
however, that some of the Aztecs secretly carried off a
large fortune of gold and silver, back to their homeland,
Aztlan.  There were supposed to be disks of gold as large as
a wagon wheel, and as thick.  Many men have given their
lives and fortunes searching for this fable>," said Don
Pedro.

"<Where's Aztlan>?" asked Lonesome.

"<North and West of La Capitol>."

"<Hell, *we're* Northwest of Mexico City>," said Lonesome.

"<No one knows where their homeland was>," Don Pedro told
him, "<And I doubt you could find what thousands of others
have sought before you>."

"<I reckon this Alcalde fellow thinks he has someone to tell
him where to look>."

"<But why does he want a kid>?" asked Calpern, "<Seems like
the kid wouldn't know>."

He thought it a good question, so Don Pedro passed it on to
Ramon, "Why would the Alcalde want Lucita?"

"After he took Arturo prisoner, he came back and got
Elizabeta, his wife.  Lucita got free somehow and Mama took
her in.  The Alcalde has been looking for her since then.
Mama thinks he wants to use her to force Arturo to talk."

"<He's gonna hold the kid until the father tells where the
gold is, heh>?" said Lonesome, for Sandy's benefit.

"<But the Senora hid the child>," agreed Don Pedro, "<And
now he holds Senora Caballo.  He will demand Lucita, in
exchange for her>."  Again he changed tongues to ask Ramon,
"Where is Lucita?"

"At the Azuma village," said Ramon.  A singular absence had
occurred to him.  "Where is Papa?"

"Also at the village," said Don Pedro.  "He does not know
about your Mama?"

"No," said Ramon, "I must find him and tell him!"

"I will go with you," said Francisco, "And so will my other
pupil.  There will be time for much talk."

Sandy was still protesting when they left the portico and
headed for the stables.

They decided to swing around and pick up Estrellita's horse
on their way to the village.  Ramon felt guilty about taking
the bay, and the thought of having an extra mount in case
trouble arose was excuse enough to spend the extra time
required.

Wolf Walker met them at the outermost lodge.  "<Hola, Senor
Francisco>!" he said, "I see you have brought some children
along!"

"<Hola>!" Francisco smiled, "I am the schoolteacher.  I must
apologize for not stopping to talk, but we must speak with
the horse-trader."

"He is coming," said Wolf Walker, sensing something amiss.

"Good.  I will resume the education of my pupils, then."
Francisco began pointing out items in the village and naming
them, first in one language and then the other.  It was much
like being in the early mission school, and Ramon
resentfully  watched Wolf Walker's superior smirk as the two
students repeated the words until Francisco was satisfied
that they had learned each one.

It was with some relief that Ramon saw his father, and he
could stop the lessons.  He told the elder Caballo of Mama's
capture, and his trouble with the miners.  When he mentioned
the man in the robe, Papa looked worried, but he was not
surprised about Mama.

"It is as we have feared," he said, "The Alcalde has learned
of things which he should not know."

"What can we do, Papa?"

"We will get her back."  Papa spoke mildly, but there was an
undercurrent of anger beneath the stillness in his voice.
"But we must be careful."

"That is what Don Pedro said."

"Did you tell him of the priest?"

"What priest?  Oh, the man in the robe?  No."

"Good.  Don't.  I must go speak to your Grandfather."  Ramon
knew that when Papa called GranPapa `your Grandfather', he
was very upset.

After conferring with Red Cloud about Lucita, Ramon and the
others returned to the hacienda.


Don Pedro had heard, through his grapevine, that Mama was
being held at a hacienda at one of the ranchos in the
valley.  Unfortunately, it was not clear where on the rancho
she was imprisoned.

"Someone must go to the hacienda and look for her," said Don
Pedro.  "This will not be easy."

"It will be as simple as attending a dance," said the Dona,
"Don Algrupa is presenting his daughter's quincenero
celebration this week.  We shall attend and make discreet
inquiries about unusual guests."

"Again, you astound me," he told her, "But you remember that
I am not a social creature.  I do not make a good dance
partner."

"No, but you need not be the one to go.  You have a
granddaughter who could do it for you."

"Estrellita?  My little star angel would go through fire for
me, I know, but I am not so sure she would go to a social
function which required her to wear a dress."

"If she is properly motivated, she will do it.  We will tell
her of the injustice done to Ramon's mother."

"And if that is not enough?"

"Then Ramon must convince her.  I have asked them both here,
for you to council."

"Is this wise, <mi corazon>?  Are you considering telling
her everything?"

"Only with his approval.  Do you agree?"

"With reservations.  Let me talk to Ramon, first."

Ramon fidgeted uneasily.  This was the first time he had
been ushered into Don Pedro's presence as a guest, always he
had been either a worker or accepted as a `member of the
family'.  But now the Don seemed very concerned about
something.

"We have an idea where they are holding your mother," Don
Pedro began, "Wait!  Don't go running off just yet.  We have
also got a problem in finding *exactly* where she is.  We
will have to ask Estrellita to help."

"What is the problem with that?"

"Well, she must go to the rancho, and ask questions.  This
will place her in danger, should anyone find out why she is
doing this."

"Oh," Ramon fidgeted, "What can we do?"

"There is no question in my mind that she must go, in order
for others to find where your mother is being held.  But, I
don't want her to go alone."

"But who can... Oh, no!"  Ramon sputtered, "You cannot
expect me to go with her..."

"Yes, you must.  The Dona will chaperon."

"But they are looking for me!"

"No, they are not.  Do you see what I mean?"

Ramon gulped, "But that means Estrellita must know about my
curse!"

"I am afraid so."

"I cannot tell her!"

"Let us make the preparations for that," Don Pedro called in
his granddaughter.  Estrellita looked doubtfully at Ramon
and the old man, as the Dona approached quietly.

"In the time that you have been gone to La Capitol, things
have changed," said the Dona.  "Most of the changes have
been in yourself. You are no longer a child, and you must
learn to act as an adult. To begin with, you must not go
riding alone with Ramon, any more.  You should have learned
this much from your quincenero"

"But <Abuelita>, I've always gone riding with him.  He's no
different, why should I stop?"

"It is not seemly to appear in public with a young man when
there is no chaperon."

"All the other girls go riding with their boy friends!"

"And in the back, always within sight, is the duena,"
sniffed the Dona.  "I find it hard enough to hold my head up
in polite company without you scandalizing the valley with
your indiscretions.  Hear me out!  You have been a child,
and as a child you could play with whomever you choose.  I
think it should be painfully obvious to you that you are now
a woman.  As a woman, you must behave with decorum, and that
means you do not go out without a chaperon."

"I always behave!" sputtered Estrellita, "I never do
anything that would shame you!"

"Always?" the Dona faced her squarely, "Does that include
the other night when Ramon helped bring back the horses?"

Estrellita gasped.  "How did you know... I didn't *do*
anything!"

"It wasn't for lack of trying.  I know everything that goes
on in this house.  I knew where you were.  I knew when Ramon
came in, and as soon as he appeared, I sent him to another
room, for his protection as well as your own.  You are a
true daughter to the de Muerte family, passionate and proud.
As such, I delight in your exploration of this wonderful,
awful world.  But I must not allow you to harm yourself, so
this is the reason for this rule.  You are not to go out
with any man without a chaperon."

"This is prison!" Estrellita cried.

"If you wish.  There are some compensations, however.  Soon
you will have to make monumental decisions, choices which
will affect your entire life.  God willing, I will be here
to help." Dona de Muerte softened her frown.  "And there is
another matter.  What did you do on your quincenero?"

The rancherita hesitated, "I haven't had one," she admitted.

The Dona sighed, "I thought as much.  Your mother spends
entirely too much time playing the politician's wife.  I am
grateful for the good she has done, but I fear she has
neglected your social upbringing.  Well, I'll have to sit
you down and have a good talk with you to make up."

"Part of it was my fault," said Estrellita, "I guess I don't
try to make it any easier when she includes me in the
invitations."

"Nevertheless, we must make up for lost time.  Already,
there is some gossip going about that you are behaving
improperly.  You will have to be seen doing respectable
things."

"Oh, right.  Respectable as in boring?"

"Perhaps.  We have received an invitation to a party to be
given for Maria Alita Constanza Algrupa Sinestro.  You
should attend."

"I don't like those things.  The dresses are so
restrictive."

"I am aware of this.  It is important that you attend this
one, for that will allow me to accompany you as chaperon.  I
expect to look about the estate while you comport yourself
with dignity."

"I really *hate* those things.  And I don't like Alita."

The Dona cleared her throat, "We have reason to believe that
Ramon's mother may be held at this hacienda.  At any rate,
we know that there are soldiers who are guarding someone
somewhere in the building.  Estrellita, dear, it is hard for
me to ask this..."

"Ask what?  Can I help?  If this is why I must go, then I am
willing.  Darn the dresses, anyway."

Again the Dona hesitated.  "You should not go alone. Suppose
I had a <sobrina>, a niece who came up from the coast," she said,
"and she happened to look more like a Mexican than a
Spaniard..."

"Who are you talking about?  I don't have a cousin from the
coast!"

"I am thinking that it might be dangerous," said Ramon,
"Wouldn't it be better if your 'niece' went alone?"

"What!?" cried Estrellita, "Ramon, I can't believe I heard
you *say* that!"

"Don't you agree, Senora?  There would be no need to
endanger Estrellita for this.  I don't want her to be hurt
for my sake."

"Of all the ..." sputtered Estrellita, "Are you gone poxy or
something?  I'm going! If this cousin wants to come along,
it is all right, but she is *not* going in my place!"

"Unfortunately, it is out of my hands," the Dona spread her
hands to demonstrate, "The invitation was for Estrellita.  I
can take someone else, but *she* must go."

"Then I am going, also," said Ramon.

Estrellita pretended to gag.  "I can't believe this!  You
want to play like my cousin?  You would look stupid!  A boy
can't dress up like a girl and get away with it!"

"Bet I could do a better job than you could dressing up as a
boy," said Ramon.

"That'll be the day!  Wanta swap clothes?  Right here!"

"There'll be none of that!" snapped the Dona.  "I know you
are playing, but this is a serious matter.  You will *not*
embarrass me!  It was bad enough when you lurked naked in
his bed, but I will not have you talk of taking your clothes
off in here, even in jest."

"<Abuela>!" Estrellita cried, almost in tears, "How could
you tell him this?  How could you?"

"He knows, granddaughter," said the Dona, "...and you, young
man," she continued, "You have been seen spying on girls
bathing in the river.  Didn't you realize that someone there
would recognize you?"

Ramon bent his head with an apologetic grimace while
Estrellita elbowed him.  "When did you do *that*?" she
asked.

"Just before I figured out what made me change," said Ramon.
He upended the teapot over his head, and waited for the
shriek.  It never came.

Estrellita stared for a long moment.  She touched Machita's
face and hair, then gripped her shoulders.  "This is some
kind of a trick," she muttered.

"It is not a trick," said Machita, and she explained about
the initiation at the hot springs.  Then she splashed her
face with cold water.

Watching her change back to Ramon released Estrellita from
her bewitchment.  "I'm gonna *kill* you!" she cried, then
said, "Do it again!" until Ramon finally refused.  Then she
laughed until her sides hurt.

"I was ready to kill that girl!" she cried, "I was ready to
tear her limb from limb, and all the time it was you!"

Ramon was miffed.  "It is not *that* funny," he said.

"It is to me," Estrellita smothered a giggle, "I have to
either laugh or beat the snot out of you!"

Dona Mercedes sighed.  "The child has no culture," she said,
"When will you realize that having manners is necessary?"

"When going to parties is as much fun as riding!  Hobnobbing
is so boring!"

"You must attend this party the ranchero will give, so you
can help us find the Senora.  That is why it is important to
be able to gossip and talk small talk - to gather
information."

"<Abuelita>, those girls won't talk to me.  They look down
on me because I don't socialize!"

"And whose fault is that?  You have made my point."

"Also, they call me an Indian-lover.  Because I like Ramon."

"Well, that can hardly be helped.  They *will* talk to you,
or about you, if you are at the fiesta.  And while you
`socialize', I can ask questions.  You will comport yourself
well, and not bring embarrassment upon the de Muerte family
by acting like giddy children."

"Ooooh, I love it!" squealed Estrellita, "I'll be able to
take my boyfriend in under their noses and they won't even
know it!"

"That is *not* what I meant by 'comport'," said the Dona,
with a chill in her voice.

"I'm not so sure about this 'boyfriend' thing," said Ramón,
"After all, you like Sandy, too."

Estrellita batted her eyelashes at him.  "Jealous?" she
cooed.




CHAPTER SIETE:  END




                        MACHO CABALLO
                              
                    PART I: CHAPTER OCHO
                              
                 EVEN CINDERELLA HAD A BALL
                              

ONLY THE LONELY:

Estrellita danced away from the bay as the red horse nibbled
the air at her.

"I don't think he likes me," she said.

"I am sorry he is not working out," Ramon said as he rubbed
the horse's nose, "I guess I should have picked another
horse.  There was a pinto there that might have been good."
The bay allowed him to fit the bridle on without complaint.

>From the stables, Francisco led another horse for exercise,
and he waved at them.

"I don't mind, now that I know *you* were the one who chose
it," said Estrellita, "But I have another horse.  I think
this one should belong to you."

"That would be great!" said Ramon with a grin.  Then he
sobered and said, "But Papa always told me that a horse-
trader shouldn't get too attached to a horse.  He might have
to sell it sometime."

"Do you always believe your Papa?"

"Don't you?"

"That's different.  My Papacito would never lie to me.  Has
your's ever lied to you?"

"Well... he has kept stuff from me.  I mean, like not
telling me everything I should have known."

"*I* think you should take this horse.  He likes you, and he
is smart.  You should call him something like 'Rayo'," she
studied the bay's markings, "Or 'Relampago'."

"I'm not sure about `Rayo'.  But I will accept him, and
thanks," Ramon hugged the horse's neck and added, "If I
could leave him here, Papa would not tell me to sell him."

Estrellita flipped the leather strap she had been playing
with.  "You'll have to think for yourself, someday," she
said, "Your Papa won't always be around to tell you what to
do."

The cowboy called Lonesome rode up as Estrellita left, and
he tipped his black felt hat to her.  She walked past him
from the corral.

"Good afternoon," he said to Ramon, continuing to watch
Estrellita until she entered the stables.

"Hello," said Ramon.

"Mind answering a question for me?"

"Maybe.  What is the question?"

Lonesome pushed his hat back and leaned on the fence rail.
"I was wondering why they call you 'Macho'."

Ramon considered his hands before he answered.  "It was
because I told them I would not fight girls."

"So how come you wrestled that Comanch girl, once upon a
time?"

"That was earlier."

"I was wondering... who won?"

Ramon's reply was muffled as he bent to pick up the traces
from the reins.

"Sorry," said Lonesome, "I didn't catch that."

"She was older than me."

"No shame in that, kids grow fast.  How old were you at the
time?  Did you beat her?"

Ramon stared at the ground.  "What difference would it
make?" he asked.

"Just curious.  Who won?"

"I did.  At least they said I did.  She had me down with my
face in the mud and I got scared.  I started hitting her."

"What was wrong with that?"

"You don't hit when you are wrestling.  I learned that
later.  But I started hitting her, and I couldn't stop,"
Ramon rubbed his nose and continued, "And she was pretty and
I kept hitting her, and hitting her,"  Ramon sniffed once,
"They said I won, because she was a smart-aleck girl who
needed a lesson, but all I remember was hurting her.  I
swore then that I would never hit another girl in my life."

Lonesome released a long breath between his teeth in a faint
whistle.

Ramon finished saddling the bay and led him toward the gate.

"He don't seem like he's got a peg loose, does he?" Lonesome
inclined his head toward Ramon as the boy closed the gate
and swung up onto the bay.

"Who is to say?" Francisco shrugged.

"Well, I heard some stories about him.  Just thought it was
a little odd, him dressing up as a girl, and all that."

"Ahhh.  Then you have not seen him when he, how you say,
'dresses up like a girl'."

"Listen, what he does is his own business.  I'm just
curious, that's all."

"I have seen many strange things in my years.  Machito is -
how you say, very unusual.  But he is a boy who I have seen
grow up from his mother's breast, and I know who he is, or
else I would not believe it.  Now, why this thing happens to
him, I do not know."

"Lot's of stuff I don't know.  Most of the time, I have to
ride away without asking."

"But you would like to know, yes?" Francisco pulled at his
mustache thoughtfully.

"Well, yeah.  Like how come your boss, a Spaniard, is
walking around free when just a few years ago ya'll were
killin' em left and right."

"A few years ago, there was the revolution, and we become a
free people.  Like your United States.  It is a glorious
feeling, but there were many things done we are not so proud
to talk about.  But Don Pedro, he has always been a good
man, so there are not so many people who want to hurt him.
He has been hurt enough.  So some of us, we take care of
him."

"Well, he ain't no saint, judging from that trophy room of
his.  Did he really go up against a bear?"

"In his younger days, he was a fighter.  A good hunter.
Then one day he was captured by some Indios in South
America.  That was when he hurt his back, and could no
longer walk."

"I kinda like the old badger, myself."

"Oh, he is not the badger," grinned Francisco, "He is the
grizzly bear.  Ask anyone here.  They love Don Pedro.  There
is talk in the town about one day we make the Spanish leave.
If he goes, I would want to go, too.  But I have my wife and
my family, so I will stay."


Later, Francisco asked Sandy, "<Why is it you call him
`Lonesome'?  To me, he does not seem the type to be alone>."

"<Oh, he gets along with everyone all right>," said Sandy,
"<But he don't take no proddin'.  What I heard was, the
bunch was in a bar in a little place called San Antone, and
a couple of hardcases called him out for talking to their
girls.  Time the rest of the boys get out of the saloon to
watch, it was all over.  Three guys went out, only one came
back in.  Someone asked him why he was back so soon, and he
said he was lonesome for some polite company.  That's when
they took to calling him `Lonesome'>."



GUARDS:

Three vaqueros, Francisco, Pablo, and Joaquim rode guard.
Another vaquero, Estabon, drove the cabroliet as the girls,
with Dona de Muerte as chaperon, attended the dance.
Calpern rode along.

"You won't be invited in to the fiesta," said Francisco.

"I don't mind.  Most of the fun at these hoe-downs is back
behind the kitchen doors, anyhow.  Back there, those folks
can let their hair down while all the senors and senoritas
have to bow and scrape."

"That's true.  And we can look around while they are
celebrating."

Calpern indicated the horse-drawn conveyance bouncing along
ahead of them, "How's our young gal doing?"

"Which one?" asked Pablo, and the others laughed.  "What's
so funny?" he wondered.

"Don Pedro's granddaughter has her fondest wish," said
Francisco, with a face-splitting grin, "And she cannot take
advantage of it because her boyfriend is wearing a dress,
too!"

"Is it not a strange thing, this change?" asked Pablo, "A
marvelous and a terrible thing."

"Well, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with
my own eyes," Calpern allowed, "It's the sort of thing you
want to tell tall tales about."

"Yes, this is true," agreed Pablo mournfully.

"Hey, <compadre>," said Francisco, "Is something bothering
you?"

Pablo nodded. "In the morning, I shall go to the church," he
said, "What do I say at the confessional?"

"I do not know, but you do not have to confess it if it is
not a sin," said his friend, "Did you feel envy when you saw
this thing?"

"I can answer truthfully that I did not!"

"Tell me, my old friend, did you feel lust?"

"Not at all.  I am getting old, and besides, my tastes run
to the more docile women.  Surprise, yes.  I was very
surprised."

"You are not slothful, you have not stolen anything, and you
have not killed anyone.  You are a paragon of virtue, my
friend!"

"When you explain it that way, it makes things so simple,"
Pablo nodded, "Tell me, Francisco, are you going to have any
trouble getting into heaven?"

"When they see me coming, they will bar the gate!" laughed
Francisco.

They walked their horses for a while, and Calpern noticed
movement.  "Somebody's creepin' up out there in the brush,"
he cautioned them.

"Oh, that is Red Cloud," Joaquim assured him, "She is
Ramon's Indian girlfriend."

"Well, I'll be stomped!" said the grizzled cowboy, "This
place is crawling with females!"

"She will run alongside all the way to the Rancho Algrupa,"
explained Pablo.

"Well, it's getting dark.  Let's invite her to ride in the
coach," said Calpern, "I'm going to worry about her stepping
on a snake out along the trail if we don't."  He alerted
Dona de Muerte, and she agreed.

The cabroliet stopped and Red Cloud climbed in, and the ride
resumed.

Red Cloud drew her legs up under her, luxuriating in the
feel of the leather-covered seat, her wool mantilla loosely
tied around her neck.  She had hardly worked up a sweat
while racing the coach.

"You are uncomfortable?" she asked Machita.

Machita was wearing a laced bodice of black taffeta amidst
creamy billows of skirt.  "I can't breathe!" she complained.

"You'll get used to it," said Estrellita.  "Don't forget, I
have to wear this gown my mother once wore.  If I can do it,
so can you."

"It's not the same thing!"

"Do not breathe so much," suggested Red Cloud.  She tired of
the confined space and eeled her way out the window and up
atop the coach.  There she sat facing back the way they had
come, the wind blowing her hair into her face.

"I am curious, Senor Calpern," said Francisco, "How is it
that you were able to cross so much countryside with Indians
everywhere and still bring in fifty fine horses?"

"Well, I'll tell you," Calpern drew out his pipe and dry-
smoked it, "We made sure we always stood guard, we treated
everyone we met fairly and squarely, always respected the
land we were traveling through.  Made sure the culls were
outermost on the herd when we bedded down for the night.
Oh, yes.  And we had about a hundred horses when we started
out!"


To avoid complications, Red Cloud got out at the bend of the
road, out of sight of the hacienda.



ALLIES:

Long shadows from the setting sun left deep gloom along the
trail, but the old man's feet were sure as he mounted the
rise.  He paused beside an ancient, gnarled tree and faced
the last rays of light coming over the mountains.  "Good-
bye, Sunboy," he said, "Don't forget to stop by tomorrow."

Manuel halted with him.  "It is time," he said, "I am
going."

"Um," agreed Alboro.  He turned back to the crevasse where a
tiny campfire burned, and lifted the pot from the ashes.
Unceremoniously, he dashed its contents onto his son.  The
resulting badger shuffled off into the dusk, and Alboro
eased himself to the ground beneath the shelter of a canvas
lean-to.  He sipped from his cup of cooling coffee, relaxed
against the sun-warmed boulder, and went to sleep.


TRIPPING THE LIGHT:

The cabroliet was met at the gate of the Algrupa estate by a
pair of guards, resplendent in buff and ruffles, and
escorted to the great house with pomp and hauteur.  A
doorman with Spanish eyes handed them down at the stoop, and
huge doors opened to allow them into the elegant halls.  The
festivities were held in the cool of the patio, with lamps
agleam over polished tables laden with delicacies
transported at much cost from more civilized regions.

"Grapes from the coast!" whispered Estrellita, "And shrimp -
they must have paid plenty for the ice!  All the stuff I
loved in Mexico City!"

"What are we looking for?" Machita asked Dona Mercedes.

"Nothing, yet.  Right now, you must blend in.  Do not go
anywhere away from the main rooms."

After the grand entrance, the atmosphere became calm, almost
stuffy.  It seemed that most of the men they could see were
old, grayed gentlemen.  The few young men present were being
jealously guarded by their young lady escorts.  Machita
followed Estrellita closely, wary lest she should be
separated and lose her contact with security.  Dona de
Muerte gravitated toward the hostess.

Estrellita raided the food tables first and they tried to
find a way to snack without soiling their dresses.  At the
same time, they avoided the chaperons who were patrolling
the area like sharks seeking lone prey.  At last a cluster
of girls appeared, and the two outsiders joined them in an
attempt to blend in.



BLENDING IN:

"You mean you did not even plan a celebration for your
fifteenth birthday?" Maria said in horror.

Estrellita shook her head, "We were busy, and what's the big
deal?"

"It's the big announcement to all the available men," said
Maria, "It says you are ready to be an adult.  I showed off
my best gown.  There were some gorgeous caballeros at the
ball."

Estrellita stood, remembering the Dona's instructions about
how to make a graceful exit.

"I'm outta here," she said.

"Hold on," said Machita, as she engaged in sampling the
salads, "I'm not finished here, yet."

"I know what happens next," Estrellita said to her, "And I
want nothing to do with it."

Machita eyed her quizzically, a half-devoured hors d'oeuvre
dangling from her lips.

"I can't wait to get married," sighed Anna, "Papacito has
already had two proposals.  I hope he listens to Don Diego.
I think he is the cutest one."

"Yeah," sighed Maria, "Just think.  A strong man by your
side.  And in bed, too."  They giggled, and Machita felt
chills go up her back.

"And babies," said Consuella, "My very own baby, suckling at
my breast..."

"We're outta here!" chorused Machita and Estrellita as they
made a hasty departure.

"What's the matter, Ramon?" asked Estrellita when she caught
up with her on the balcony, "Can't take the pressure?"

"I am *not* going back in there," stated Machita vehemently,
"Wild boars could not force me!"

The door opened behind them and a heavy woman in dull black
spied them.  "Oh, what are you doing out in the open?"
demanded the chaperon, "Young women should never expose
themselves alone, especially on a romantic night like this!"

"Meet the wild boar," whispered Estrellita as they returned
inside.



MEETING THE HOST:

Dona Mercedes found them and led the way to a patio.  "We
must say our pleasantries to the host," she said, "Remember,
at this place, it is imperative that you act with dignity
and refinement."

Holding court in the patio Bertran Sinestro.

"Oh, no," groaned Machita.

Sinestro abandoned his companions and made straight for the
two girls.  "Senora de Muerte!" he exclaimed, "It is good of
you to attend!  Senorita de Muerte.  And your companion..."
He held his gaze a fraction of a second longer than was
polite.

"My niece from Mexico City, Lucha de Muerte Guiterez," Dona
Mercedes hastened to answer.

"Ah," he smiled thinly, "From one of the older families?"

"From the earliest," agreed the Dona.

"Please, feel free to divert yourself anywhere," said
Sinestro, "There are three groups of musicians - an
orchestra in the house, an ensemble from France on the
patio, and of course a `peasant band' roaming outside."

When he had drifted back to his audience, and they had been
led back into the main floor, Machita shivered.  "Did you
see the way he looked at me?  I think he could recognize
me!"

"Don't be silly," said Mercedes de Muerte, "He was trying to
place your family.  Position is very important to him."

"Well, *someone* pointed me out to those miners at the
market when Mama was kidnapped," grumbled Machita, then
added, "Dona, please don't call me `Lucha'."

"I do have a cousin with that name.  I think it is lovely."

"Mama hated it.  She said she would never give it to a
child."

"We will have to find another, then, but you must answer to
it for now."

They cautiously explored the limits of the party.  The decor
was sumptuous, the appointments elegant, and the food was
extravagant.  Unfortunately, both girls had lost their
appetite, so they watched the other guests.  There seemed to
be plenty, and there were many more young men and girls than
they had seen at first.  It was here that they met the
honoree of the quincenero, Alita Algrupa Sinestro.

Alita swept in, a sleek racing ship buttressed by two
galleons, swains who vied for her attention while
effectively blocking the futile efforts of several more
boys.  She was svelte and darkly brunette, with exotic brown
eyes and wide, full red lips.

"Estrellita!" cried Alita, "Now my party is perfect!  It was
so *good* of you to come!"  Her gaze wandered over to
Estrellita's companion, and she added, "So nice of you to
bring your domestic along, too."

"Alita, meet Lucha," said Estrellita, "She is a cousin,
visiting from Mexico City, the lake area."

Machita was caught up in a totally new emotion - she was
furious at the hostess, though she only barely understood
that she had been insulted.  She swallowed hard, mute with
anger, but her expression spoke volumes.

"So charming!" Alita gushed, "I bet she is a wonder with the
shopping.  She has such an air of ... commonness, she must
be able to talk to the peasants on their own level!"

"I... I think I need some air," said Machita.  She headed
for the patio, where she could see Dona Mercedes.

"I'll be right there," promised Estrellita.  She turned on
the hostess.  "Alita, must you humiliate my friends?"

"Well, you might have brought that sweet little puppy,
Ramon," simpered Alita, "I would have loved to talk nice to
him.  He is a young bull, that one is!"

"For your information... Ooohh, never mind!"  Estrellita
hurried out to the patio.  Machita was morosely watching
yellow canaries flutter about the cage.

"Ramon, you'll just have to ignore her," said Estrellita,
"We have this old feud, going back for years.  I'm sorry she
hurt your feelings."

"She didn't hurt my feelings.  She made me *angry*!  I
wanted to ball my fist and ram it into her face!"

"Alita has that effect on people," Estrellita agreed with a
grin, "Mostly because she knows she can get away with it.
She always has those two bodyguards with her."

"That wouldn't stop me."

"Then why didn't you do something?  Those two bullies
wouldn't be able to prevent a quick smack to the face."

"I'm not afraid of them.  I wanted to hit her, but that is
not the answer.  She doesn't fight with her fists, and I
can't fight with poison the way she does. I suddenly
realized that I was on a dueling ground without a sword.
And I don't know all the rules."

"Well, the first rule is, you don't run away from a fight."

"I have never run away from a fist-fight, or a wrestling
match, or even a knife fight back at the school.  But I
can't fight a girl!"

"I could, why can't you?"

"Because I'm not... I don't know what I am!"

"Look, everywhere you go, there are different rules for
fighting, right?  For instance, in some villages you square
off with knives, in another you might start wrestling, or
hitting with fists.  There are always rules.  Here, with
her, the rules are: use words.  Say the lowest, most
despicable, cruelest thing you can say to your opponent, but
say it so sweetly that it sounds like a compliment."

"But when I get angry I can't talk!"

"Then don't get hot.  Make it a cold anger.  Cold-blooded,
like a snake.  Keep calm until you are ready, then strike."

"I don't know about this girl-fighting.  I always thought
you were kind and gentle people.  Sometimes I think I can't
do girl stuff!"

"Oh-ho!  This from someone who wears my dresses?  And they
fit you better than they fit me?"

"It's not like that at all!  I can do it.  I just have to
learn to ... think differently."

"No, you just have to get cold, and angry.  And punch her
lights out... in a sweet way, of course."

"What kind of childhood fantasies are you two dreaming up?"
asked Dona Mercedes, stepping away from a servant with whom
she had been talking.

"Keeping cool, and saying nice things," smiled Estrellita.
She led Machita back into the ring.

Machita advanced warily upon her adversary, uncomfortable
with the advantage the other girl held.  [I don't know how
to insult a *girl*!] she thought.  [Now, if this were some
other kind of an encounter...]

"Are you feeling better, Lucha?" asked Alita with mock
concern, "It would be dreadful if you got sick all over that
cute dress.  Did you make it yourself?"

"I was wondering..." Machita said, then walked slowly around
the other girl.  Alita's gown was French flounce, white with
burgundy ribbons and full skirts which swept the floor.  Her
hair was bound with wine-colored ribbons and a tortoiseshell
comb.

"Like what you see?" asked Alita coldly.

"Elegant," agreed Machita, "But I was thinking about the
shape of the head.  Shows good breeding."

"What!?! How dare you imply that..."

"Maria Alita Constanza Algrupa Sinestro," intoned Machita,
"Yes, a very good bloodline.  You must be proud of your
heritage."

"Well, I am!  I suppose... What are you getting at?  I don't
need a peasant to come in here and make comments about my
family!  We trace our heritage back to the early explorers
and conquistadores."

"But you have such a distinguished family!  It shows in your
eyes, and your walk.  And your family has a prosperous
ranch.  How long have they been raising cattle?"

"Not long.  Just since the revolution, when we..."

"I was just thinking.  De Vaca was a famous explorer.  The
shape of your head.  Are you sure there was no vaca...
oops!... de Vaca in your genealogy? (1)"

Alita almost levitated in rage.  "Uncle Bertran!" she cried,
spying Sinestro across the room, "Just you wait," she said
to Machita, "I'll teach you to... Uncle Bertran!"

Estrellita hugged Machita tightly and laughed so hard she
hiccuped.  Eventually, they became aware of their closeness
and stepped quickly away from each other.

"That was priceless!" Estrellita giggled, "You were so
confident!  How did you think of that line of attack?"

"The only thing I really know is horse-trading," grinned
Machita, "So I tried to see her as a horse.  I never got
around to asking her if she was bow-legged."

Meanwhile, Alita had pulled Sinestro aside.  "I want you to
get rid of that... that commoner!  I don't want her at my
party!"

"Now, why would I do that?" asked Sinestro, "She is a
delightful girl.  She has such bold eyes - they stare right
through you.  I think I'll ask her to stay for the weekend."

"But, Uncle Bertran!"

"Very well, I won't.  But I won't ask her to leave, either.
Now, be a good girl and take this envelope to your friend,
Estrellita."

Alita snatched the envelope and headed in the opposite
direction.


_______________

(1) La Cabeza de Vaca explored what is now the lower United
States in the early 16th century.  La Cabeza de Vaca is an
acceptable Spanish name.  However, breaking the name down
into its components results in:
   `La Cabeza' = The Head;
   `de Vaca' = of a Cow.
(For the humor-impaired, Machita was telling Alita that she
looked like a cow.)
---------------



At the fringes of the festivities, Machita was startled to
glimpse a familiar face in a shadowed alcove.  When she
called Estrellita's attention to the place, however, the
opening was empty.

"That is peculiar.  I thought I saw someone who looked like
Granpapa," she said, "Let's go look."

Crossing the garden, where sculptured shrubbery formed a
gentle maze, they heard music.  The peasant band was
playing; four voices, a guitar, a tambour, and a trumpet
which sounded familiar.  The music ended as they came to the
band, and one of the musicians separated from the others and
started toward the banquet in such a hurry that he almost
crashed into them.

Gordito stammered an apology.  He saw Estrellita and said
hello to her, then he saw Machita.  He gawked at her as
though stunned.

"<Que linda>!" he cried, "How pretty you are!  You must be
the girl from the marketplace!"

"Oh, boy," groaned Machita.

"Please," cried Gordito, "What is your name?"

"She is Machita.  She is visiting my family," Estrellita
supplied with a mischievous grin.

This brought Gordito up short.

"Machita?  What kind of a girl's name is Machita?"

"It is a joke," growled Machita.

Gordito mulled it over, "Machita... Machita..."

Machita froze, not daring to breath.  If Gordito made the
connection he could shout loud enough in his excitement to
alert the guards, and she would be trapped.  She need not
have worried.

"I have a friend named Machito!" cried Gordito, "This is
great!  I have told him about you!  I can't wait until I can
introduce you to each other!"

"I'd like to see that!" said Estrellita.  Machita shushed
her, but she smirked anyway.

The alcove proved to be empty, as she had suspected.  It was
a dummy opening where plants could be displayed, providing
an architectural balance to the building.

They returned to the great house, where Sinestro was again
speaking, this time to a larger audience.  Machita saw a
flash of pale skin at the top of the balustrade.  The bald
priest, wearing a blue and red robe, was staring at her from
the railing.


CHAPTER OCHO:  END


---------------
Glossary:
   (I said I wouldn't need a glossary... Oops.)

abuela : grandmother.
agua : water.
aqui : here.
cabeza : head.
Los hombres incultos : uncivilized men.
mi corazon : my heart, my love.
quincenero : fifteenth birthday celebration/coming out party.
             Very important social event for young girls.
             Also a time when the young woman is formally
             acquainted with the 'facts (and rules) of life'.
rayo de relampago : bolt of lightning
relampago : lightning
vaca : cow.
---------------

<Muchas gracias> to my prereaders Yvonne and Harry and close
kin, as well as to Andre for his excellent advice (which I
did not always heed, but always appreciated).

James and the Bluejay
   http://www2.netcom.com/~jeeades/bluejay.htm