LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 201 



exhibiting, as they passed Fray Augustin, a curious 

 resemblance to the strongly marked features of that 

 worthy padre. They were probably his nieces and 

 nephews a class of relations often possessed in num- 

 bers by priests and monks. 



The three remaining brothers were absent from the 

 Mission ; Fray Bernardo, hunting elk in the sierra ; 

 Fray Jose, gallivanting at Puebla de los Angeles, ten 

 days' journey distant ; Fray Cristoval, lassoing colts 

 upon the plain. Augustin, thus left to his own 

 resources, had just eaten his vespertine frijolitos and 

 chile Colorado, and was enjoying a post-ccenal smoke of 

 fragrant pouche under the shadow of his own fig-tree. 



Whilst thus employed, an Indian dressed in Mexican 

 attire approached him hat in hand, and, making a reve- 

 rential bow, asked his directions concerning domestic 

 business of the Mission. 



" Hola ! friend Jose," cried Fray Augustin in a thick 

 guttural voice, "pensaba yo I was thinking that it 

 was very nearly this time three years ago when those 

 malditos Americanos came by here and ran off with 

 so many of our cavallada." 



" True, reverend father," answered the administrador, 

 "just three years ago, all but fifteen days : I remember 

 it well. Malditos scan curse them ! " 



" How many did we kill, Jose 1 " 



" Quizas moochos a great many, I dare say. But 

 they did not fight fairly charged right upon us, and 

 gave us no time to do anything. They don't know 

 how to fight, these Mericanos ; come right at you, 



