The Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old California

The Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old California

Within memory of the most gnarled and coffee-coloured Montereo never had there been so exciting a race day. All essential conditions seemed to have held counsel and agreed to combine. Not a wreath of fog floated across the bay to dim the sparkling air. Every horse, every vaquero, was alert and physically perfect. The rains were over; the dust was not gathered. Pio Pico, Governor of the Californias, was in Monterey on one of his brief infrequent visits. Clad in black velvet, covered with jewels and ropes of gold, he sat on his big chestnut horse at the upper end of the field, with General Castro, Doa Modeste Castro, and other prominent Montereos, his interest so keen that more than once the official dignity relaxed, and he shouted "Brava!" with the rest. And what a brilliant sight it was! The flowers had faded on the hills, for June was upon them; but gayer than the hills had been was the race-field of Monterey. Caballeros, with silver on their wide gray hats and on their saddles of embossed leather, gold and silver embroidery on their velvet serapes, crimson sashes about their slender waists, silver spurs and buckskin botas, stood tensely in their stirrups as the racers flew by, or, during the short intervals, pressed each other with eager wagers. There was little money in that time. The golden skeleton within the sleeping body of California had not yet been laid bare. But ranchos were lost and won; thousands of cattle would pass to other hands at the next rodeo; many a superbly caparisoned steed would rear and plunge between the spurs of a new master. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 12697
Author: Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn
Release Date: Jun 1, 2004
Format: eBook
Language: English