He is toasted in Sacramento, where
in legislative halls his fiery eloquence distinguishes him. He is
the king of the San Joaquin valley.
Preserving his friendship with the clergy, still warmly allied
to Padre Francisco, Maxime Valois gradually gains an unquestioned
leadership. His friends at New Orleans are proud of this young
pilgrim from "Belle Etoile." Judge Valois hopes that the coming
man will return to Louisiana in search of some bright daughter of
that sunny land, a goddess to share the honors of the younger branch
of the old Valois family. Rosy dreams!
Maxima, satisfied, yet not happy, sees a great commonwealth grow
up around him. Looking under the tides of the political struggles,
he can feel the undertow of the future. It seems to drag him back
to the old Southern land of his birth, "Home to Dixie."
CHAPTER VIII.
JOAQUIN, THE MOUNTAIN ROBBER.--THE DON'S PERIL.
The leaders of the San Joaquin meet at the office of Counsellor
Maxime Valois. He is the rising political chief. While multitudes
yet delve for gold, Valois wisely heads those who see that the
miners are merely nomadic. They are all adventurers. The great men
of the coast will be those who control its broad lands, and create
ways of communication.
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