of the Klamath. By courier the Don has heard of Castro's feeble
moves. He toils along with his cavalry, guns, and foot soldiers,
whom Fremont defied from behind the rocky slopes of Hawk's Peak.
The foreigners are all conspiring.

A cloud of government agents are scouring the valleys for aid to
send a column to attack Fremont. It had been a pride of Don Miguel's
military career to assist warlike Vallejo to drive the foreigners
from Monterey in 1840. He is ready for the fray again.

The Commandante gnashed his teeth when he heard, in 1842, at Lagunitas,
that the strangers had returned. He remembers the shameful day of
October 19, 1842, when the Yankee frigates covered Monterey with
their guns, while Commodore Jones hoisted the stars and stripes
for a day or so. Always before the English.

Though it was disowned, this act showed how easily the defenceless
coast could be ravaged. Many times did he thank the Blessed Virgin
that his domain was far away in the inland basin. There his precious
herds are safe from the invader.

There is danger for Valois in the Commandante's scowl when the
saddest May day of his life comes. A rider on relay horses hands
him a fateful despatch.

"Curse the Gringos!" He strikes his table till the glasses ring.

There are five huge Yankee war vessels in Monterey harbor. It is
too true. This time they have come to stay. Padre Francisco softly
makes his exit. He keeps Maxime in cover for a day or so.