236 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
sorcerers have prohibited them all intercourse with their in¬ 
habitants, and even the privilege of looking toward them. 
The Padre finds no difficulty in persuading the people of 
Amalgua to accompany him to the mission. The only oppo¬ 
sition arises from an old sorcerer. But his influence effects 
nothing. Even his own wife proposes to leave him if he will 
not go with them. And he also finally consents. They em¬ 
bark, therefore, on their raft for the coast; but are obliged to 
seek shelter from a storm, on the desert island of Asegua, and 
remain there several days. With the return of fair weather, 
they put off’ again for the continent. As they are floating 
along close in shore, they discover some sea-wolves disporting 
themselves on a sand bank ; and the sorcerer, anxious to vent 
his ill-humor upon something, and being a dexterous swim¬ 
mer, plunges into the water for the purpose of killing one of 
the animals. They all flee at his approach; but in attempt¬ 
ing to return to the raft he is seized, in sight of the whole 
company, by an enormous shark! By some extraordinary 
feat, however, he clears himself; and, not satisfied with this, 
throws the blood, which issues from his wounds, at the hun¬ 
gry fish ! He is seized a second time with a hold not so 
shaken off. The exasperated fish goes down with him; and 
no trace of his existence is left, except a faint red tinge which 
slowly rises, and fades into the deep green of the sea ! 
Padre Taraval now receives orders from the Visitor General 
to proceed at once to the erection of his new mission among 
the Coras, at Palmas bay. It is particularly desirable that it 
shall go into early operation. For the continual presence of 
the Padres is indispensable to keep these turbulent and 
deceitful people in subordination. All preparation being 
therefore speedily made, Padre Taraval travels from Loretto 
to the bay of La Paz, thence to the mission of San Jago, 
at Palmas bay, and founds his mission on the old site 
of San Jago. He finds his people somewhat advanced 
by the former efforts of Padre Napoli, and the visits which 
they have received from Padres Carranco and Tamarab 
