man is already like a mad bull at bay--but if my
father yielded, he would--on all points. This morning I shall ride
over and talk with Father Abella, who, I fancy, needs only a little
extra pressure--you may be sure Concha has not been idle--to yield; and
for more reasons than one. I shall enlist Father Uria and Father de la
Cueva as well. They also have great influence with my parents, and as
they return to San Jose in two days to prepare for the visit of the
most estimable Dr. Langsdorff, there is no time to lose. I shall go
this morning. One more cigarito, senor, and when that treaty is drawn
remember the conversion of your brother to Russian tobacco."

Rezanov thanked him so warmly, assured him with so convincing an
emphasis that with his fate in such competent hands his mind was at
peace, that the ardent heart of the Californian exulted; Rezanov, with
his splendid appearance, and typical of the highest civilizations of
Europe, had descended upon his narrow sphere with the authority of a
demigod, and he not only thirsted to serve him, but to fasten him to
California with the surest of human bonds.

As he dropped over the side of the ship, Rezanov's hand fell lightly on
the shoulder of Santiago.

"I can wait no longer to see your sister," he whispered, mindful of the
sterner responsibilities of the older brother. "Do you think you
could--"

Santiago nodded. "While Luis is at the Mission I shall go to my cousin
Juan Moraga's. You will dine with us at the Presidio, and I shall
escort you back to the ship."

XIX

It was ten o'clock when Rezanov, who had supped on the Juno, met
Santiago in a sandy valley half a mile from the Presidio and mounted
the horse his young friend himself had saddled and brought. The long
ride was a silent one. The youth was not talkative at any time, and
Rezanov was conscious of little else save an overwhelming desire to see
Concha again. One secret of his success in life was his gift of
yielding to one energy at a time, oblivious at the moment to aught that
might distract or enfeeble the will. To-night, as he rode toward the
Mission on as romantic a quest as ever came the way of a lover, the
diplomat, the anxious director of a great Company, the representative
of one of the mighty potentates of earth, were submerged, forgotten, in
the thrilling anticipation of his hour with the woman for whom every
fiber of his being yearned.

Nor ever was there more appropriate a setti