LIFE IX THE FAR WEST 209 



knocked over and over by the recoil of the piece, then 

 was as instantly seized by some of the Indian garrison, 

 and forced through the trap-door into the building ; 

 whilst the horsemen (who were his own scouts) galloped 

 up with the intelligence that the enemy was at hand, 

 and in overwhelming force. 



Thereupon the men were all mounted, and formed in 

 a body before the building, to the amount of more 

 than fifty, well armed with guns or bows and arrows. 

 Here the gallant Don harangued them, and infusing 

 into their hearts a little of his own courage, they 

 eagerly demanded to be led against the enemy. Fray 

 Augustin reappeared on the roof, gave them his 

 blessing, advised them to give no quarter, and, 

 with slight misgivings, saw them ride off to the 

 conflict. 



About a mile from the Mission, the plain gradually 

 ascended to a ridge of moderate elevation, on which 

 was a growth of dwarf oak and ilex. To this point the 

 eyes of the remaining inmates of the convent were 

 earnestly directed, as here the enemy was first expected 

 to make his appearance. Presently a few figures were 

 seen to crown the ridge, clearly defined against the 

 clear evening sky. Not more than a dozen mounted 

 men composed this party, which all imagined must be 

 doubtless the vanguard of the thousand invaders. On 

 the summit of the ridge they halted a few minutes, as 

 if to reconnoitre; and by this time the Californian 

 horsemen were halted in the plain, midway between 

 the Mission and the ridge, and distant from the former 

 o 



