Zorro Hunts a Jackal - ebook

Someone was beating one of the natives with a
whip. The Innkeeper told Don Diego Vega that the
man with the whip was a strange horse dealer who
had come to the pueblo just a few days before. He
then spoke of a certain Señor Zorro who had become
famous. He said, “If Zorro would ride the highways
once more, this man might be properly punished. This
man who beats natives is a swindler. He purchases
stolen animals from natives, gives them a small part
of what he promises, and then compels them to
gamble or play cards with him and wins back
the little he has paid—undoubtedly through
some trick.”Don Diego stepped outside and strolled forward towards the horse trader. “What is all this
about?” he asked. The man with the whip whirled about to face him. “And who is questioning me?” he
demanded.

“Don Diego Vega, señor, a man to be treated with the utmost respect.”

“Ah, your pardon, Don Diego.”

“What is your name and your business?” Don Diego asked.

“I am Felipe Garzo, and I deal in horses.”

“And do you break and train the beasts, señor?”

“It is indeed labor for a man of strength, Don Diego.”

“I am hoping to sell some to Capitán Ramon, of the presidio, for the use of his troopers.”

“You appear to be quite handy with the whip, señor.”Don Diego turned away and walked up the path. He soon came upon the retired pirate, Barboso,
who pretended to be reformed.

“I have just witnessed a disgraceful brawl on the other side of the plaza,” said
Don Diego.

“I saw the disturbance, Don Diego.”

“It seems that the horse dealer, Felipe Garzo, loves to swindle natives and
beat them. I have thought about him, Don Diego. I think the fellow ls a jackal.”

“Ah! And who ls the lion for whom he finds prey—?”

“Capitán Ramon, the commanding officer at the presidio, and the
governor’s representative here in Reina de Los Angeles.”

“Hmmmmm .... ls he the lion? Interesting,” Don Diego commented.

“It is well known that Capitán Ramon ls eager to capture or kill Señor
Zorro. There ls a reward offered by the governor. But how can Capitán
Ramon capture or slay Señor Zorro if Zorro remains in hiding?”

“I am quite sure it would be impossible,” Don Diego said.

“In order to capture him something must happen to make Zorro
want to ride again. So the jackal comes to town, beats and swindles
natives—a thing likely to bring Zorro out into the open.”

“Let us assume,” said Barboso, “that if Señor Zorro wishes to punish
Garzo, he will discover that he ls dealing with an expert swordsman.
Zorro could die on the point of his blade. If Zorro wins, others will be
waiting about to capture him.”

“A pretty plot,” Don Diego said, yawning.

Don Diego then began to set a plan in motion. He asked Barboso to obtain a
special chemical for him and to bring it to his house at nightfall. Barboso agreed.Don Diego walked out into the night. Jose of the Cocopahs, a well known giant native,
stood with bowed head as Don Diego approached and out of the corner of his mouth Don
Diego whispered the ominous words: “Zorro rides tonight!

The Hacienda Trail!”

Back at the presidio the troopers were eating and attending to their duties. In his private
quarters, Capitán Ramon spoke in low tones with Felipe Garzo.

“He took the bait,” Felipe Garzo was saying. “I grabbed the native in front of the door of
the inn and beat him soundly, so that Don Diego could not fail to hear and see.”

“I feel certain that he is Señor Zorro,” the captain said.

“If we win in this, Felipe, our fortunes are made. If Don Diego is unmasked as Zorro his
excellency will be well pleased.”

‘’And what do we do now?” Felipe Garzo asked.

“You will sleep in the guest house as usual. Zorro may come to punish you during the
night. Three troopers will be on guard and within call. If he comes, help will be near at hand if
you should need it,” Capitán Ramon said.

There was then a tap on the door and the capitán gave permission to enter. “Don Diego
Vega to see the capitán,” said one of the troopers.

“Ah! Don Diego Vega!” Capitán Ramon stood up, bowing as Don Diego stepped through
the door.

“Your pardon, Capitán Ramon, for this intrusion,” Don Diego said. “I must ride out to the
Pulido place to make a social call.”

“Ah! And you desire an escort?” the capitán put in. “You may surely have one. There are
highwaymen and cutthroats abroad these nights.”Later, Don Diego Vega and Sergeant Pedro Garcia rode along the dusty highway. “I am
grateful to you for riding with me tonight,” said Don Diego Vega. “I am compelled to go to the
Pulido hacienda for a time.”

They went along a winding road until they came to the Pulido house. Don Diego dismounted
and handed his reins to the sergeant.

“Take my mount along with your own,” he said. “When I am ready to return to Reina de Los
Angeles, I’ll send a servant for you.”

Then, after checking to make sure that no one was at home in the big house, Don Diego
skipped down the slope, stopping beside a narrow trail. He gave a low whistle.

“Is it you, Jose?”

“Si, señor!”

“Is everything prepared?”

“Here, señor, behind the brush.”Don Diego Vega removed his garments and quickly put on others instead. Across his face
he fastened a black mask with slits for the eyes. A blade was strapped at his side. He dropped
down behind a big rock, and there was a sudden flare as Jose kindled a small torch into flame.
Don Diego took something from a small bottle, propped a mirror against the rock, and worked
diligently for a time.

“The horse?”

“Ten paces straight ahead, señor.”

“You will remember everything?”

“Everything, señor.”

“I must go. Put out the torch. Zorro rides!”

As he spoke, he draped his form with a long black cloak of thin material and darted forward
to where a black horse was waiting.

Down the narrow trail he went through the soft night. He turned into the highway and rode
swiftly toward the town. His eyes gleamed through the slits in the mask he wore.

He played a dangerous game. One fatal slip and
shame would descend upon the Vegas and
the jealous governor would have his moment
of gloating. Zorro only struck to aid the
oppressed and to right the many wrongs,
yet, he did, indeed, act
outside of the law.