The Golden Canyon | Page 4

I suppose, sometimes, dances and that
sort of thing, there is really nothing to be done when one does go
ashore, and the whole place stinks of hides. Even if one could get away
for a day there is no temptation to ride about that desert-looking
country, with the sun burning down on one; no one but a salamander
could stand it. They are about the roughest-looking lot I ever saw in the
town. Everyone has got something to do with hides one way or the
other. They have either come in with them from the country, or they
pack them in the warehouses, or they ship them. That and mining seem
the only two things going on, and the miners, with their red shirts and
pistols and knives, look even a rougher lot than the others. I took my
pistol when last I went ashore; I will lend it you this evening."
"Oh, I don't want a pistol, Tom; there is no chance of my getting into a
row."
"Oh, it is just as well to carry one, Dick, when you know that everyone
else has got one about him somewhere, and a considerable number of
them are drunk; it is just as well to take one. You know, it is small, and
goes in my breast pocket."
"I will take my stick, the one I bought at San Francisco; it has got an
ounce of lead in the knob. I would rather have that than a pistol any
day."

However, as Dick was standing with the second officer at the top of the
gangway, Tom Haldane, as he passed by, slipped the pistol into his
hand and then walked on. Dick thrust it into his pocket, and then
descended the ladder. It was almost dark now.
"I have two or three places to go to, Preston, and do not know how long
I shall be detained. It is just nine o'clock now. Suppose you meet me
here at the boat at half-past ten. It will be pleasanter for you to stroll
about by yourself than to be waiting about outside houses for me."
"Very well, sir. I don't think there is much to see in the town, but I will
take a bit of a stroll outside. It is cool and pleasant after the heat of the
day."
They walked together to the first house that Mr. Allen had to visit; then
Dick strolled on by himself. The place abounded with wine-shops.
Through the open doors the sound of the strumming of mandolins,
snatches of Spanish song, and occasionally voices raised in dispute or
anger, came out. Dick felt no inclination to enter any of them. Had his
chum been with him he might have looked in for a few minutes for the
fun of the thing, but alone he would be the object of remark, and might
perhaps get involved in a quarrel. Besides the freshness of the air was
so pleasant that he felt disposed for a walk, for the moon was shining
brightly, the stars seemed to hang from the skies, and after having been
pent up in the ship for the last four days it was pleasant to stretch the
limbs in a brisk walk. In ten minutes he was outside the town, and
followed the road for half an hour.
"It is a comfort," he said to himself, "to have got rid of the smell of
hides. If ever cholera comes this way I should think it would make a
clean sweep of San Diego."
Turning, he walked leisurely back; he entered the town, and had gone
but a hundred yards or two when he heard a shout, followed by a pistol
shot, and then, in English, a cry for help.
He dashed down the street toward a group of people who, he could see
in the moonlight, were engaged in a sharp struggle. One man was
defending himself against four, and the oaths and exclamations of these
showed that they were Mexicans. Just as he reached them the man they
were attacking was struck down, and two of his assailants threw
themselves upon him.
Dick rushed upon the men, and felled one with a sweeping blow of his

stick. The other man who was standing up sprang at him, knife in hand,
with a savage oath.
So quick was the action that he was upon Dick before he had time to
strike a blow with his stick. He threw up his left arm to guard his head,
but received a severe gash on the shoulders. At the same moment he
struck out with his right, full into the face of the Mexican, who, as he
staggered back, fell across the three men on the ground. Dick seized the
opportunity to draw his pistol, dropping