212 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



from the roof, in token of surrender ; and soon after he 

 appeared trembling at the door, beseeching the victors 

 to be merciful and to spare the lives of the vanquished, 

 when all and everything in the Mission would be freely 

 placed at their disposal. 



" What does the niggur say 1 " asked old Walker, the 

 leader of the mountaineers, of the interpreter. 



" Well, he talks so queer, this hos can't rightly make 

 it out." 



" Tell the old coon then to quit that, and make 

 them darned greasers clear out of the lodge, and pock 

 some corn and shucks here for the animals, for they're 

 nigh give out." 



This being conveyed to him in mountain Spanish, 

 which fear alone made him understand, the padre gave 

 orders to the men to leave the Mission, advising them, 

 moreover, not to recommence hostilities, as himself was 

 kept as hostage, and if a finger was lifted against the 

 mountaineers, he would be killed at once^ and the 

 Mission burned to the ground. Once inside, the 

 hunters had no fear of attack, they could have kept the 

 building against all California ; so, leaving a guard of 

 two outside the gate, and first seeing their worn-out 

 animals supplied with piles of corn and shucks, they 

 made themselves at home, and soon were paying atten- 

 tion to the hot tortillas, meat, and chile Colorado which 

 were quickly placed before them, washing down the 

 hot-spiced viands with deep draughts of wine and 

 brandy. It would have been amusing to have seen the 

 faces of these rough fellows as they gravely pledged 



