254 IN THE OLD WEST 



ity. Jose informs me that many of the assail- 

 ants were killed by my brave Indians. How many 

 said you, Jose? " 



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



" Yes, probably a great multitude," continued 

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

 castigation, it has been reported to me by a 

 Chemeguaba mansito, that a band of these au- 

 dacious marauders are now on the road to repeat 

 the offense, numbering many thousands, well 

 mounted and armed; and to oppose these white 

 barbarians it behoves us to make every prepara- 

 tion of defense." * 



" There is no cause for alarm," answered the 

 Andaluz. " I " (tapping his breast) " have 

 served in three wars : in that glorious one de la 

 Independe-ncia, 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 shriv- 

 eled member, " I have supported the throne of my 

 kings have fought for my country, mowing 

 down its enemies before me ; and with it," vehe- 

 mently exclaimed the Gachupin, working himself 



* From the report to the Governor of California by the 

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

 American mountaineers. 



