180 LIFE IN THE FAR WF:ST. 



with which he had mowed down the enemies of Carlos Quinto — 

 and requested the mountaineers, if ever fate should carry them to 

 Spain, not to fail to visit his quinta in the vega of Genii, which, 

 with all in it, he placed at their worships' disposal — con muchis- 

 sima franqueza. 



Fat Fray Augustin likewise waved his arm, but groaned in 

 spirit as he beheld the noble band of mules and horses, throwing 

 back clouds of dust on the plain where they had been bred. One 

 noble roan stallion seemed averse to leave his accustomed pasture, 

 and again and again broke away from the band. Luckily old 

 Walker had taken the precaution to secure the " bell-mare' of 

 the herd, and mounted on her rode ahead, the animals all follow- 

 ing their well-known leader. As the roan galloped back, the 

 padre was in ecstasy. It was a favorite steed, and one he would 

 have gladly ransomed at any price. 



" Ya viene, ya viene I" he cried out, "now, now it's coming! 

 hurra for the roan I" but, under the rifle of a mountaineer, one of 

 the Californians dashed at it, a lasso whirling round his head, and 

 turning and twisting like a doubhng hare, as the horse tried to avoid 

 him, at last threw the open coil over the animal's head, and led 

 him back in triumph to the band. 



" Maldito sea aquel Indio — curse that Indian I" quoth the padre, 

 and turned away. 



And now our sturdy band — less two who had gone under — 

 wore fairly on their way. They passed the body of their comrade 

 who had been killed in the fight before the Mission ; the wolves, 

 or Indian dogs, had picked it to the bones ; but a mound near by^ 

 surmounted by a rude cross, showed where the Californians (seven 

 of whom were killed) had been interred — the pile of stones at the 

 foot of the cross testifying that many an ave Maria had already 

 been said by the poor Indians, to save the souls of their slaugh 

 tcred companions from the pangs of purgatory. 



For the first few days progress was slow and tedious. The 



