Rain of Gold

Old Man Benito and Lupe’s family grind their gold into powder so it looks like they only sifted a little out of the creek. Old Man Benito brings it into town and trades it for pesos. Then, he and Victoriano go out and buy new clothes and haircuts. That night at dinner Flaco and Manos warn that they are being too flashy with their money, that they can tell Old Man Benito and Victoriano have struck more than just a little gold. They offer to sneak them tools in exchange for some of the profit. The men decline for the time being and decide to go into town again. After making some more purchases, they walk down to a pond where they see the mayor’s oldest daughter, Lydia, running with her friends in a meadow. Old Man Benito grabs her and tells her he is rich and wants to marry her and make her rich. Her friends scoff at him, but Lydia demands he tell the mayor if he really has the money to buy her all the things he mentions. Victoriano runs away when he sees this scene unfolding and reports to his family that Old Man Benito has blown their secret.