TRAVELS IN THE CALIFORNIAS. 
231 
When thanks have keen duly returned for this signal and 
easy victory, a court is organized from the soldiers and In¬ 
dian Alcaldes, for the trial of the prisoners. They are con¬ 
victed of the capital crimes of rebellion, robbery, and murder, 
and sentenced to be removed to Loretto for punishment. They 
are very much dejected at the prospect of death. The Indians 
of the mission are elated with the hope of being permitted to 
execute them. But the Padres assure the prisoners that they 
shall not die; and reprove the unchristian exultation of their 
people; instructing them that as Christians they should exer¬ 
cise charity and forgiveness toward all men. Meantime some 
of the converts are so gently disposed toward the prisoners 
that they beseech the Padres to convene the court the next 
day, that the sentence may be reconsidered. The Indian con¬ 
verts now come before the soldiers and Indian Alcaldes, beg¬ 
ging them to make the sentence of their enemies lighter. Af¬ 
ter some deliberation it is commuted to a certain number of 
lashes. The punishment is first inflicted on the principal mur¬ 
derer. The Padres then pray that it may be confined to him. 
This is most unwillingly complied with. They are therefore 
deprived of their arms and liberated. 
The prayers of the Padres are answered in the effect which 
this treatment has upon their enemies. In a few months all 
these prisoners have become catechumens. The victory and 
lenity are of great service to the missionaries. The former 
intimidates the unconverted Indians, the latter shows the ex¬ 
cellence of the precepts of Christianity. Padre Luyando, 
however, now finds his health so much impaired that he must 
leave the mission to recruit his exhausted energies. The In¬ 
dians are deeply pained at parting with him. But his place is 
well filled by the kind and active Padre Sistiaga. 
The years 1729 and ’30 bring heavy misfortunes on the mis¬ 
sions of California, in the death of two of the oldest and most 
valued laborers among them; Padre Piccolo and Padre 
Ugarte. Both these men have by long years of the most ardu¬ 
ous and faithful service, woven their names inseparably with 
