148 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



chin was bearded " like the pard." Every one around him 

 clad in deer and goat skin, our Don walked conspicuous in 

 shining suit of black much the worse for wear, it must be 

 confessed with beaver hat sadly battered, and round his 

 body and over his shoulder an unexceptionable " capa " of 

 the amplest dimensions. Asking, as he stepped over him, 

 the pardon of an Indian urchin who blocked the door, and 

 bowing with punctilious politeness to the sturdy niozas who 

 were grinding corn, Don Antonio approached our friend 

 Augustin, who was discussing warlike matters with his 

 administrator. 



" Hola ! Don Antonio, how do you find yourself, sir ? " 



" Perfectly well, and your very humble servant, reverend 

 father ; and your worship also, I trust you are in good 

 health?" 



"Sin novedad without novelty;" which, since it was 

 one hour and a half since our friends had separated to take 

 their siestas, was not impossible. 



" Myself and the worthy Jose," continued Fray Augustin, 

 " were speaking of the vile invasion of a band of North 

 American robbers, who three years since fiercely assaulted 

 this peaceful Mission, killing many of its inoffensive in- 

 habitants, 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 In- 

 dians. 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 castigatioii, 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 preparation of defence." * 



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

 the Mission, in reference to the attacks by the American moun- 

 taineers. 



