Zorro - Chapter 4-6
Captain Ramon
At 8 p.m. it is dinner time at Don Carlos' home. The family is sitting at the table. Someone knocks at the door. A servant opens it and Zorro appears!
Don Carlos, his wife and daughter stand up. They are scared.
"Good evening," says Zorro. "Don't be scared! You are an honest man, Don Carlos. I only want some food and drink."
Zorro goes to Lolita and whispers, "I cannot forget this afternoon in the patio."
"You must not come here. It is dangerous!" whispers Lolita.
Suddenly a young Spanish soldier enters the house. He is Captain Ramon. He wants to arrest Zorro. Zorro takes out his sword and they fight. The two men are good fighters.
"I want to arrest you, Zorro," says Captain Ramon. "You are a public enemy."
"You cannot arrest me!" says Zorro.
Zorro injures the Captain's shoulder with his sword. The Captain falls to the floor.
"Please help the Captain!" Zorro says to Don Carlos. Then he smiles at Lolita and rides away on his horse.
Don Carlos' wife and daughter look after Captain Ramon's injured shoulder. The Captain likes beautiful Lolita.
"Don Carlos,'' says the Captain, "I like Lolita very much. I come from a good family and I am the Governor's friend. I am 23 years old and I am the Captain of the Presidio. May I court Lolita?"
"First, I must explain something," says Don Carlos. "Don Diego Vega wants to court Lolita too. Lolita must choose her husband herself, but you have my permission to court her!"
The next morning there is a lot of noise at the Presidio Don.
Diego and other men are watching. There are many soldiers on their horses. They are listening to Sergeant Gonzales. "Today is an important day. We must find Zorro! We must look in every hacienda and in every home. Remember the Governor's big reward. Let's go!"
That morning Don Diego sends a letter to Don Carlos:
My dear friend,
Sergeant Gonzales and his soldiers want to arrest Zorro. It is dangerous for you and your family to stay at your hacienda. Please come to my home in Reina de Los Angeles. It is safe in my home. I must go away for a few days.
Your friend,
Diego Vega.
Don Carlos receives the letter and says, "What a generous invitation! Don Diego wants to protect Lolita. We must accept the invitation. Let us go immediately!"
Chapter five
Lolita is in Love
Don Diego's home in Reina de Los Angeles is big and beautiful. There are many rooms and many servants. There is a big garden with trees and flowers. Don Carlos and his family like it.
"Lolita! Marry Don Diego and this beautiful home is yours!" says Doha Catalina.
"I don't love Don Diego! I don't want to marry him!" says Lolita.
"Lolita, tonight your mother and I must visit our old friends," says Don Carlos. "Can you stay at home alone?"
"Yes, of course. There are many books in Don Diego's library. I can stay here and read."
Lolita looks at the books. "How strange!" she thinks. "Don Diego has books about love, passion, adventure, horses and heroes! But he isn't strong and is so lifeless !"
Suddenly there is a knock at the door. A servant opens it and Captain Ramon enters. He goes to the library and sees Lolita.
"I'm glad you are alone! You are a very beautiful girl. I have your father's permission to court you! I know that Don Diego wants to marry you, but I am superior in every way. Don Diego has no courage. He is a weak man. I am the Captain of the Presidio."
"I am alone,'' says Lolita. "You cannot stay here. It is not right. Please go away!"
Captain Ramon takes her hand and says, "Don't run away, Lolita. You are mine! Kiss me!"
Lolita pushes him away and says, "I don't want to kiss you. Go away!"
"No, you are mine. You must marry me. Now kiss me!"
Lolita slaps the Captain's face.
At that moment Zorro appears in the library and says, "Captain Ramon, you are a villain. Don't touch Lolita! Leave this house immediately!"
"I cannot forget this terrible insult," says the Captain. His face is red with anger. Zorro opens the door and kicks him out.
"Thank you for your help, Zorro. You are courageous and kind. I love you!" Lolita says.
"Dear Lolita, I love you too!" says Zorro.
They embrace and kiss.
Chapter six
Friar Felipe
Captain Ramon returns to the Presidio. He is furious.
"I must punish Lolita, her family and Zorro for their insults!" he thinks. "I must write a letter to the Governor. I must tell him that Don Carlos Pulido and his family are traitors. They are Zorro's friends. They help him."
He writes the letter and sends it to the Governor. He smiles and says, "I want to see the Pulido family in prison!"
"I want to see you in prison!" says a man's voice. Captain Ramon turns around and sees Zorro. "You are a villain. Fight me but don't hurt the Pulido family!" says Zorro.
"Sergeant Gonzales, come quickly!" says the Captain. "Zorro is here."
Zorro disappears.
"I am here, Captain," says Sergeant Gonzales.
"Take all the soldiers and find Zorro! We must capture him."
The soldiers follow Zorro. The night is dark. It is difficult to follow him because his horse is very fast. The next morning the soldiers return to the Presidio. They are tired and angry. Zorro is still free.
There are many people in front of the Presidio that morning. Don Diego is there too. Something is happening.
An old friar is standing before the magistrate L The old friar is in chains. "I am not a thief," says the old friar. "I am a poor friar."
"What is happening?" asks Don Diego.
"This old friar is a thief. He must be punished," answers the magistrate.
"That is impossible. Friar Felipe is an honest man. I know him," says Don Diego.
"No, you are wrong," says the cruel magistrate.
He calls two soldiers and says, "Whip this friar 15 times."
The soldiers whip the old friar and he falls to the ground. Don Diego is very angry because Friar Felipe is his friend. He returns to his father's hacienda.
"Good afternoon, my son," says his father, Don Alejandro Vega. "I am happy to see you. Come and tell me about Lolita. Does she want to marry you?"
"I like Lolita, but she doesn't like me. She likes romantic men. What can I do?" asks Don Diego.
"Girls like courageous, romantic men. You must talk about love. You must play the guitar and sing love songs. Give her some flowers. This is what young men do. Wake up, Diego!" says Don Alejandro.
"How ridiculous! I cannot do these stupid things," says Don Diego.
"You must try. Lolita is a lovely girl," says Don Alejandro.
"There are many problems in my life. I want to rest and meditate," says Don Diego.
