Then the invalid would be safer there. It will do him no harm, if taken upon a stretcher. I must lend him half-a-dozen of my assistants, or pick up some stragglers to perform this service.
He would be safer in Jalapa? I suggested, interrogatively. Besides, the climate of Jalapa is much more favourable to the healing of wounds is it not?
That is true, answered the man of science; but Jalapa is distant. We have not a single ambulance in our army. Who is to carry him there a poor soldier?
A fine young fellow, notwithstanding. My men would not mind the trouble of taking him, if you think
I looked round, in hopes that the proposal might be heard and approved by another.
The Jarocha was standing in the entrance of the tent, her face beaming with gratitude. No doubt it was due to the assurance which the surgeon had given her of her brothers speedy recovery; but I fancied I could perceive, in the sparkle of her beautiful eyes, a smile indicative of consent to what I had proposed.
The surgeon comprehended not the cause of my friendly interest in the welfare of the wounded Jarocho.
Did Lola comprehend it? Did she suspect it? Endowed with the keen, delicate instincts of her race, it was probable she did; at least, I fancied so, from the kindly look with which she had listened to my suggestion.
After all, it might have been gratitude for my friendly intentions, and nothing more.
I see no objection to his going up the road, said the surgeon, after having spent some little time in considering, It is very kind on your part, cavallero, added he a stranger and an enemy. Here the medico smiled. It is only a continuation of your humane exertions during the past night.
A smile, almost imperceptible, accompanied this last observation, together with the slightest raising of his eyes towards the Jarocha.
Suppose, said he, continuing his speech, and relieving me from some little embarrassment, suppose we consult the wishes of the invalid himself. What say you, señorita?
Gracias, ñores , replied the girl. I shall ask brother Calros.
Calros! she called out, turning her face towards the tent. The young officer
who has been so kind to you proposes to have you carried up the road to Jalapa. Would you like to go there? The medico says the air of Jalapa will be better for you than this place.
With a fast-beating pulse I listened for the response of the invalid.
It was delayed. Calros appeared to be considering.
Why? I asked myself.
Ay de mi ! broke in the voice of his sister, in a tone of ingenuous reflection. It is very hot at El Plan.
Thanks, sweet Lola! I mentally exclaimed, and listened for the decision of Calros, as a criminal waiting for his verdict.
Story 1, Chapter XIII A Group of Jarochos
tierra calienteI know not whether he had resolved the matter in his mind, but if so, the resolution rose not to his lips; for, as I stood over his couch, venturing to add my solicitations to that naïve insinuation of his sister, I heard voices outside the tent voices of men who had just come up inquiring for Calros Vergara.
Hola! cried the Jarocho, recognising the voices, those are our friends, sister people from Lagarto. Run out, niña, and tell them I am here!
Lola glided towards the entrance of the tent.
Tis true, Calros, she cried, as soon as she had looked out. I see Vicente Vilagos, Ignacio Valdez, Rosario Très Villas, and the little Pablito!
Gracias a Dios! exclaimed the invalid, raising himself on the catre . I should not wonder if theyve come to carry me home.
Thats just what weve come for, responded a tall, stalwart specimen of a Jarocho, who at that moment stepped inside the tent, and who was hailed by the invalid as Vicente Vilagos. Just that, Calros; and were glad to learn that the Yankee bullet has not quite stopped your breath. Youre all right, hombre! So the medico outside has been telling us; and youll be able, he says, to make the journey to Lagarto, where well carry you as gingerly as a game cock; ay, and the niña, too, if she will only sit astride of my shoulders. Ha! ha! ha!
By this time the other Jarochos, to the number of six or seven, had crowded inside the tent, and surrounded the catre in which lay their countryman each grasping him by the hand on arriving within reach; and all saluting Lola with an air of chevalresque gracefulness worthy of the days of the Cid!
I stood aside watching with curious interest this interchange of friendly feeling; which partook also of a national character: for it was evident that the visitors of Calros were all of the Jarocho race.
I had another motive for observing their movements, far stronger than that of mere curiosity. I looked to discover if among the new-comers I could recognise a rival!
I watched the countenance of Lola more than theirs, scrutinising it as each saluted her. I felt happy in having observed nothing at least nothing that appeared like a glance of mutual intelligence. They were all thin, sinewy fellows, dark-skinned and dark-haired, having faces such as Salvator Rosa would have delighted to commit to canvas, and pointed chin-beards, like those painted by Vandyke.