Daughter of the Sun

Jackson Gregory

Description

Roiling conflict, budding romance, and rip-roaring adventure all collide in Jackson Gregory's classic novel The Daughter of the Sun. Renowned rabble-rouser Jim Kendric is making his way back to town, and the entire community -- including one widely coveted young woman -- is bracing itself for the impact of his arrival.

Sujets

• Adventure (Guyana)
• Adventure

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 novembre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781775560487
• Langue: English

Extrait

DAUGHTER OF THE SUN
A TALE OF ADVENTURE
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JACKSON GREGORY
 
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Daughter of the Sun A Tale of Adventure First published in 1920 ISBN 978-1-77556-048-7 © 2012 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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Chapter I - In Which a Young American Known as "Headlong" Plays at Dice with One in Man's Clothing Who is Not a Man Chapter II - In Which a Spell is Worked and an Expedition is Begun Chapter III - Of the New Moon, a Tale of Aztec Treasure and a Mystery Chapter IV - Indicating that that Which Appears the Earthly Paradise May Prove Quite Another Sort of Place Chapter V - How One Not Accustomed to Taking Another Man's Orders Receives the Command of the Queen Lady Chapter VI - Concerning that Which Lay in the Eyes of Zoraida Chapter VII - Of a Girl Held for Ransom and of a Toast Drunk by One Infatuated Chapter VIII - How a Man May Carry a Message and Not Know Himself to Be a Messenger Chapter IX - Which Begins with a Little Song and Ends with Trouble Between Friends Chapter X - In Which a Man Keeps His Word and Zoraida Dares and Laughs Chapter XI - In Which there is More than One Lie Told and the Truth is Glimpsed Chapter XII - In Which an Overture is Made, an Answer is Postponed and a Door is Locked Chapter XIII - Concerning Woman's Wiles and Witchery Chapter XIV - Concerning a Difficult Situation, Recklessly Invited Chapter XV - Of the Ancient Gardens of the Golden Tezcucan Chapter XVI - How Two, in the Labyrinth of Mirrors, Watched Distant Happenings Chapter XVII - How One Who Has Ever Commanded Must Learn to Obey Chapter XVIII - Of Flight, Pursuit, and a Lair in the Cliffs Chapter XIX - How One Who Hides and Watches May Be Watched by One Hidden Chapter XX - In Which a Rock Moves, a Discovery is Made and More than One Avenue is Opened Chapter XXI - How One Returns Unwillingly Whither He Would Willingly Enter by Another Door Chapter XXII - Regarding a Necklace of Pearls and Certain Plans of Two Who Were Meant to Be One
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To
ZINGARA
Chapter I - In Which a Young American Known as "Headlong" Plays at Dice with One in Man's Clothing Who is Not a Man
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Jim Kendric had arrived and the border town knew it well. All who knewthe man foresaw that he would come with a rush, tarry briefly for a bitof wild joy and leave with a rush for the Lord knew where and the Lordknew why. For such was ever the way of Jim Kendric.
A letter at the postoffice had been the means of advising the entirecommunity of the coming of Kendric. The letter was from Bruce West,down in Lower California, and scrawled across the flap wereinstructions to the postmaster to hold it for Jim Kendric who wouldarrive within a couple of weeks. Furthermore the word URGENT was notto be overlooked.
Among the men drawn together in hourly expectation of the arrival ofKendric, one remarked thoughtfully:
"Jim's Mex friend is in town."
"Ruiz Rios?" someone asked, a man from the outside.
"Been here three days. Just sticking around and doing nothing butsmoke cigarettes. Looks like he was waiting."
"What for?"
"Waiting for Jim, maybe?" was suggested.
Two or three laughed at that. In their estimation Ruiz Rios might bethe man to knife his way out of a hole, but not one to go out of hisway to cross the trail made wide and recklessly by Jim Kendric.
"A half hour ago," came the supplementary information from anotherquarter, "a big automobile going to beat the band pulls up in front ofthe hotel. The Mex is watching and when a woman climbs down he grabsher traps and steers her into the hotel."
Immediately this news bringer was the man of the moment. But he hadhad scant time to admit that he hadn't seen her face, that she had worna thick black veil, that somehow she just seemed young and that he'dbet she was too darn pretty to be wasting herself on Rios, when JimKendric himself landed in their midst.
He was powdered with alkali dust from the soles of his boots to thecrown of his black hat and he looked unusually tall because he wasunusually gaunt. He had ridden far and hard. But the eyes were thesame old eyes of the same old headlong Jim Kendric, on fire on theinstant, dancing with the joy of striking hands with the old-timers,shining with the man's supreme joy of life.
"I'm no drinking man and you know it," he shouted at them, his voicebooming out and down the quiet blistering street. "And I'm no gamblingman. I'm steady and sober and I'm a regular fool for conservativeinvestments! But there's a time when a glass in the hand is as pat aseggs in a hen's nest and a man wants to spend his money free! Come on,you bunch of devil-hounds; lead me to it."
It was the rollicking arrival which they had counted on since this wasthe only way Jim Kendric knew of getting back among old friends and oldsurroundings. There was nothing subtle about him; in all things he wasopen and forthright and tempestuous. In a man's hardened and buffetedbody he had kept the heart of a harum-scarum boy.
"It's only a step across the line into Old Town," he reminded them."And the Mexico gents over there haven't got started reforming yet.Blaze the trail, Benny. Shut up your damned old store and postoffice,Homer, and trot along. It's close to sunset any way; I'll finance thepilgrimage until sunup."
When he mentioned the "postoffice" Homer Day was recalled to hisofficial duties as postmaster. He gave Kendric the letter from BruceWest. Kendric ripped open the envelope, glanced at the contents,skimming the lines impatiently. Then he jammed the letter into hispocket.
"Just as I supposed," he announced. "Bruce has a sure thing in the wayof the best cattle range you ever saw; he'll make money hand over fist.But," and he chuckled his enjoyment, "he's just a trifle too busyscaring off Mexican bandits and close-herding his stock to get anysleep of nights. Drop him a postcard, Homer; tell him I can't come.Let's step over to Old Town."
"Ruiz Rios is in town, Jim," he was informed.
"I know," he retorted lightly. "But I'm not shooting trouble nowadays.Getting older, you know."
"How'd you know?" asked Homer.
"Bruce said so in his letter; Rios is a neighbor down in LowerCalifornia. Now, forget Ruiz Rios. Let's start something."
There were six Americans in the little party by the time they hadwalked the brief distance to the border and across into Old Town.Before they reached the swing doors of the Casa Grande the red ball ofthe sun went down.
"Fat Ortega knows you're coming, Jim," Kendric was advised. "I guesseverybody in town knows by now."
And plainly everybody was interested. When the six men, going in twoby two, snapped back the swinging doors there were a score of men inthe place. Behind the long bar running along one side of the big roomtwo men were busy setting forth bottles and glasses. The air was hazywith cigarette smoke. There was a business air, an air of readinessand expectancy about the gaming tables though no one at this early hourhad suggested playing. Ortega himself, fat and greasy and pompous,leaned against his bar and twisted a stogie between his puffy,pendulous lips. He merely batted his eyes at Kendric, who noticed himnot at all.
A golden twenty dollar coin spun and winked upon the bar impelled byJim's big fingers and Kendric's voice called heartily:
"I'd be happy to have every man here drink with me."
The invitation was naturally accepted. The men ranged along the bar,elbow to elbow; the bartenders served and, with a nod toward the manwho stood treat, poured their own red wine. Even Ortega, though hemade no attempt toward a civil response, drank. The more liquor pouredinto a man's stomach here, the more money in Ortega's pocket and he wasavaricious. He'd drink in his own shop with his worst enemy providedthat enemy paid the score.
Kendric's friends were men who were always glad to drink and play agame of cards, but tonight they were gladder for the chance to talkwith "Old Headlong." When he had bought the house a couple of roundsof drinks, Kendric withdrew to a corner table with a dozen of hisold-time acquaintances and for upward of an hour they sat and foundmuch to talk of. He had his own experiences to recount and sketchedthem swiftly, telling of a venture in a new silver mining country and acertain profit made; of a "misunderstanding," as he mirthfullyexplained it, now and then, with the children of the South; of horseswapping and a taste of the pearl fisheries of La Paz; of no end ofadventures such as men of his class and nationality find every day introublous Mexico. Twisty Barlow, an old-time friend with whom once hehad gone adventuring in Peru, a man who had been deep sea sailor andnear pirate, real estate juggler, miner, trapper and mule skinner, satat his elbow, put many an incisive question, had many a yarn of his ownto spin.
"Headlong, old mate," said Twisty Barlow once, laying his knotty handon Kendric's arm, "by the livin' Gawd that made us, I'd like to goa-journeyin' with the likes of you again. And I know the land that'swaitin' for the pair of us. Into San Diego we go and there we take acertain warped and battered old stem-twister the owner calls aschooner. And we beat it out into the Pacific and turn south until wecome to a certain land maybe you can remember having heard me tellabout. And there— It's there, Headlong, old mate!"
Kendric's eyes shone while Barlow spoke, but then they always shonewhen a man hinted of such things as he knew lay in the sailorman'smind. But at the end he shook his head.
"You