"We will! We will!" cried Father Abella. "Would that you had come in
the disguise of a common sea-captain, for we have hoodwinked the
commandantes more than once. But aside from the suspicion and distrust
in which Spain holds Russia--with so distinguished a visitor as your
excellency, it would be impossible to traffic undetected. But there
must be a way out. There shall be! And will your excellency kindly
let us see the cargo? I am sure there is much we sadly need: cloth,
linen, cotton, boots, shoes, casks, bottles, glasses, plates, shears,
axes, implements of husbandry, saws, sheep-shears, iron wares--have you
any of these things, Excellency?"

"All and more. Will you come to-morrow?"

"We will! and one way or another they shall be ours and you shall have
breadstuffs for your pitiable subjects. We have as much need of Europe
as you can have of California, for Mexico is dilatory and often
disregards our orders altogether. One way or another--we have your
promise, Excellency?"

"I shall not leave California without accomplishing what I came for,"
said Rezanov.

VIII

Concha boxed Rosa's ears twice while being dressed for the ball that
evening. It was true that excitement had reigned throughout the
Presidio all day, for never had a ball been so hastily planned. Don
Luis had demurred when Concha proposed it at breakfast; officially to
entertain strangers not yet officially received exceeded his authority.
Concha, waxing stubborn with opposition, vowed that she would give the
ball herself if he did not. Business immediately afterward took the
Commandante ad. in. down to the Battery at Yerba Buena. Before he left
he gave orders that the large hall in the barracks, where balls usually
were held, should be locked and the key given up to no one but himself.
He returned in the afternoon to find that Concha had outwitted him.
The sala of the Commandante's house was very large. The furniture had
been removed and the walls hung with flags, those of Spain on three
sides, the Russian, borrowed by Santiago from the ship, at the head of
the room. Concha laughed gaily as Luis stormed about the sala rasping
his spurs on the bare floor.

"Whitewashed walls for guests from St. Petersburg!" she jeered, as Luis
menaced the flags. "We have little enough to offer. Besides--what
more wise than to flaunt our flag in the face of the Russian bear?
Their flag, of course, is a mere idle compliment. Let me tell you two