* 
240 SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
who injure them. Altogether, the restraint of Christianity, 
the personal malignity of Boton and Chicori, and the de¬ 
fenceless state of the missions, encourage these ignorant sava¬ 
ges to attempt a revolt and the butchery of those whom they 
esteem their oppressors. It must not be understood that there 
are none among the converted to oppose so wicked a step, and 
abide by their spiritual fathers through all the troubles which 
follow. On the contrary, large numbers feel the deepest 
grief and shame at the conduct of their countrymen. But 
only a small portion of all the natives have ever professed 
Christianity. So that if none of these are unfaithful, the ma¬ 
jority will be greatly in favor of the rebels. 
The insurgents find some difficulty in concocting their plans. 
Their only fear is lest the arms of the soldiers shall do better 
execution than their own. And although among the four 
missions of Santa Rosa, La Paz, San Jago and San Josef, 
there are but seven, two of whom are invalids, they turn their 
first attention to disposing of them. The first act of violence, 
therefore, is the murder of one of Padre Taraval’s soldiers, 
whom they fall upon when alone and unarmed, at some dis¬ 
tance from the mission. They next repair to the Padre, and 
inform him that this man is suddenly taken very ill in the 
woods, and desires him to come to his relief. The Padre, 
having received some vague hints of the rising difficulties, 
suspects that all is not right; and on questioning them closely, 
concludes from their confused manner, that they have mur¬ 
dered the man, and intend to draw him from the house alone 
for the same bloody purpose. He therefore declines going 
or sending a second soldier; but does not in any other way 
show suspicion or fear. In a few days this murder is follow¬ 
ed by that of Don Andres Romero, at La Paz. This remains 
some time a secret among the perpetrators; so that they are 
encouraged by these successes to more open demonstrations 
in the district of San Jago; all which the Padre, from his 
defenceless condition and his desire to avoid provoking the 
Indians, suffers to pass without notice. 
