پشت ماسک

CHAPTER EIGHT

Behind the mask

After the soldiers rode past, Zorro left the native’s hut. Then he jumped on his horse, and rode to the fort in Reina de Los Angeles. All the soldiers were away, looking for him. Only Captain Ramon sat in his office, waiting for news.

‘You’ cried Ramon when the outlaw walked into his office, gun in hand.

‘Stand with your hands behind your back’ came the reply. Zorro tied the captain’s hands together.

‘Where’s the governor’ he asked.

‘At Don Juan Estado’s house,’ answered Ramon.

‘Then we’ll visit him. And remember, my gun’s at your head, so no noise.’

Outside the fort, Zorro told the captain to get on his horse. Then he himself got up behind, and they rode quietly over to Don Juan’s house.

They went in through the back, and Zorro pushed the captain into the front room, following quickly. His Excellency and Don Juan were at a table, talking.

‘Don’t move,’ said the outlaw.

‘Zorro’ cried the governor. ‘Why are you here?’

‘To explain,’ Zorro said. ‘Excellency, today you wrongly put a gentleman’s family in a common prison cell.’

‘But they’re traitors who’ve helped you - an outlaw’ came the governor’s angry reply.

‘Who told you that?’

‘Captain Ramon. You had dinner at the Pulidos’ country house. A native brought the news to the captain, who went after you. Don Carlos hid you in a closet, and when you came out, you wounded Ramon from behind with your sword and escaped.’

‘Captain, now tell the governor the true story. Don Carlos himself sent the native to the fort. The Pulidos didn’t know that I was in the closet. And I gave you time to take out your sword and fight like a man. didn’t I? Answer!’

‘Yes, You’re right,’ said the captain.

‘Is there anything more against the Pulidos, Excellency?’

‘Yes. While Don Diego Vega was away, and the Pulidos were slaying at his house, the captain visited one night, and found you there with the Senorita. You’re the Pulidos’ friend, and they hid and helped you, even in the house of someone who’s loyal to me. That night you escaped because the Senorita stopped the captain catching you.’

‘Now for the true story,’ said Zorro. ‘Captain Ramon, you’re in love with Senorita Lolita. You found her alone that night and tried to kiss her. She called for help. And I came and kicked you out of the house, didn’t I? Speak!’

‘Yes. That’s right.’

‘Captain Ramon, you’ve lied to me,’ said the governor, ‘You’re no longer an officer.’ Then he told the outlaw, ‘But I’m still sure that the Pulidos are traitors. So my men will take them back to prison, and then I’ll hang you.’

‘We’ll see,’ replied Zorro, ‘But I have something more to do before leaving, so you and Don Juan must sit over there.’

The governor and Don Juan sat by the window while Zorro told Ramon, ‘You offended Senorita Lolita, and must pay for that. Your shoulder’s better, and you have a sword, so fight me!’

Ramon’s eyes were wild. The governor knew all about his lies, and so he was no longer a captain. He looked at Zorro darkly. He would kill this outlaw. Then perhaps His Excellency would pardon him.

He went over to the governor, saying, ‘Untie me, Excellency, and I’ll kill him.’

‘Do that, and you can be a captain again,’ said the governor, untying him at once.

Then the fight began. Ramon ran at his enemy, sword in hand, but Zorro fought back cleverly - his gun in his left hand, his sword in his right.

‘Kill him, Ramon’ cried the governor. He and Don Juan knew that Zorro would shoot if they moved, so they sat still. Then Zorro threw his gun on the table.

‘I’ll use my sword, Excellency, if either of you tries anything,’ he told the governor. But neither he nor Don Juan wanted to try.

Now Zorro’s left hand was free, and he pushed Ramon back. The captain fought more weakly than before.

Suddenly Ramon thrust his sword wildly at Zorro, who jumped back unhurt. At once the outlaw’s sword made three quick cuts on his enemy’s face, leaving a red letter Z there. Then Zorro thrust his sword through Ramon’s body, and the captain fell to the floor, dead.

‘Now I’ll leave,’ said the outlaw.

‘I’ll hang you for this’ cried the governor.

‘If you catch me!’ laughed Zorro. He took his gun, ran outside, and jumped on his horse - ready to ride away.

But it was now early morning. Three groups of soldiers were arriving back from Pala, the Pulidos’ country house, and San Gabriel. And Zorro was in the middle of them.

Suddenly one of Gonzales’s men saw him, crying, ‘The Curse of Capistrano!’ Zorro galloped across the square.

Just then, the governor and Don Juan ran into the street. ‘Stop him, Murderer’ they cried.

He rode hard for the highway now, dividing the crowd of soldiers in his way.

‘After him’ shouted Sergeant Gonzales angrily.

Then Zorro turned a corner in the road. But what was this? Someone was galloping into town, and behind them, a group of soldiers followed.

Which way now? Back or straight on? He turned around but then, over his shoulder, he saw that the rider coming nearer was Senorita Lolita. ‘Wait’ she cried. Soon she was by his side, and together they rode into town.

‘I escaped from Fray Felipe’s house,’ began Lolita.

‘Tell me later,’ cried Zorro.

Suddenly there were soldiers with guns before them.

‘Take them, dead or alive’ screamed Gonzales.

‘Quickly , Do what I do’ called Zorro. He rode his horse fast at the men, jumping over them at the last minute.

Lolita followed. ‘Where now’ she cried.

‘To the tavern!’

They jumped off their horses and sent everyone out of the tavern before they locked the door.

In no time the square was full of soldiers. The governor arrived, and Sergeant Gonzales. Even Don Alejandro was there, with other gentleman of the neighbourhood.

‘Everybody’s here!’ laughed Zorro, watching through a hole in the tavern door.

‘Your young followers, too’ asked Lolita.

‘No. For them it was only an exciting night adventure. Speaking out by day against the governor is harder. This is the end. I’m going to die.’

‘Were going to die’ said Lolita. ‘I can’t live without you.’

Just then, a group of young gentlemen on horses arrived in the square and rode over to the governor.

‘Stop’ shouted one.

‘What’s that’ cried the governor.

‘We speak for all the gentlemen’s families here. It was wrong to send the Pulidos to prison. You must pardon them. Zorro too must have a pardon. His only crimes are fighting against false justice and helping the weak and the poor.’

‘What do you say, Don Alejandro Vega? Must I pardon these traitors and this outlaw?’

‘You must,’ answered Don Alejandro. ‘I’m fully behind these gentlemen. Go back to San Francisco de Asis and leave south California to us. If you change your ways, we’ll be loyal.’

‘Very well,’ said the governor. ‘Then I pardon the Pulido family, and Senor Zorro, too!’

Everybody cheered, and Zorro and Lolita left the tavern, and walked into the square.

‘So who are you’ cried Sergeant Gonzales. ‘Show your face!’

Zorro took off his mask and everyone saw that he was - Don Diego! Everybody was terribly surprised.

Don Alejandro cried happily, ‘My son! But how?’

‘It began when I was fifteen,’ explained Don Diego. ‘I felt angry when the governor’s men hurt the weak and poor in Capistrano, and I decided to fight back. I taught myself to use a sword and ride. I started wearing a mask, and called myself Zorro.

‘It wasn’t easy being Don Diego by day and Zorro by night, but none of you learned my secret. Not even Senorita Lolita, who refused to love Don Diego for his money, but loved Senor Zorro for his true heart! Now I’ll marry her if she wants me, and then the governor will think twice before he makes enemies of the Pulidos again. My days as Zorro are over, but from now on I’ll be a more manly Don Diego.

‘And for you, friend Gonzales, the news that you gave Don Diego of where you were riding was most helpful to Zorro. I’m sorry that you won’t have your reward, but I’ll pay for drinks at the tavern for you and your men!’

‘What a gentleman’ cried Sergeant Gonzales.