LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 205 



its inoffensive inhabitants, wounding many more, and 

 carrying off several of our finest colts and most promising 

 mules to their dens and caves in the Rocky Mountains. 

 Not with impunity, however, did they effect this atrocity. 

 Jose informs me that many of the assailants were killed 

 by my brave Indians. How many said you, Jose ? " 



" Quizas mo-o-ochos," answered the Indian. 



"Yes, probably a great multitude," continued the 

 padre ; " but, unwarned by such well-merited castiga- 

 tion, it has been reported to me by a Chemeguaba 

 mansito, that a band of these audacious marauders are 

 now on the road to repeat the offence, numbering many 

 thousands, well mounted and armed; and to oppose these 

 white barbarians it behoves us to make every prepara- 

 tion of defence." * 



" There is no cause for alarm," answered the Andaluz. 

 " I (tapping his breast) have served in three wars : in 

 that glorious one 'de la Independencia,' when our 

 glorious patriots drove the French like sheep across the 

 Pyrenees; in that equally glorious one of 1821 ; and, 

 in the late magnanimous struggle for the legitimate 

 rights of his majesty Charles V., king of Spain, (doffing 

 his hat,) whom God preserve. With that right arm," 

 cried the spirited Don, extending his shrivelled member, 

 "I have supported the throne of my kings have 

 fought for my country, mowing down its enemies 

 before me ; and with it," vehemently exclaimed the 



* From the report to the Governor of California by the Head 

 of the Mission, in reference to the attacks by the American 

 mountaineers. 



