TRAVELS IN THE CALIFORNIAS. 
169 
These unfavorable trials induce him to postpone his voyage 
to a more favorable season. He returns, therefore, to his 
mission at San Xavier, and Padre Ugarte remains at Loretto 
with Padre Salva Tierra, to learn the Indian language, and 
assist wherever his services may be needed. 
Another class of events now transpire which change some¬ 
what the aspect of affairs among them, and give hope of 
better things. The military commandant, who has, by his 
misrepresentations, rendered abortive the efforts of Padre 
Ugarte, at Mexico, finds that the authorities will not relieve 
him from subordination to the Padres, and resigns. Captain 
Don Antonio Garcia de Mendoza is therefore succeeded by one 
Isadore de Figueroa. This man, however, proves unworthy 
of his trust in a difficulty with the savages of San Xavier. 
The Indians of that mission plan the murder of Padre Piccolo. 
And led on by the conjurors, or priests of their old religion, 
they come down upon the few converts who remain faithful, 
with such violence as to get possession of the premises; and 
enraged at the Padre’s escape to Loretto, burn the mission 
buildings and furniture. A number of the converts have been 
killed in this outbreak; the fields of San Xavier, the only 
grounds within the limits of the missions on which grain can 
be grown, are laid waste ; the success of the savages in this 
instance will embolden them to attack Loretto. All these, 
as reasons, determine the Padres to send Captain Figueroa 
with his soldiers to chastise them and recover the mission. 
Accordingly he marches his troops to San Xavier. The In¬ 
dians flee before him. The soldiers desire to pursue them. 
But the commander forbids it ; and otherwise shows such a 
want of courage and manliness, that the soldiers depose him, 
and elect in his stead, Don Estevan Rodriguez Lorenzo, 
who leads them in pursuit among the breaks of the moun¬ 
tains ; but without success. 
At the end of this year, 1700, Padre Ugarte having learn¬ 
ed the Indian language, and the Indians of San Xavier having 
become satisfied and peaceable, it is resolved to rebuild the 
