I 
26 S SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
the Mass with two soldiers who guard the ship. Padres Ju- 
nipero and Biseayno are left on shore with only two other 
persons able to do duty 3 and the Indians, perceiving the advan¬ 
tage to be derived from the absence of one of the boldest of 
those they would rob, gather in large numbers while the 
people are at Mass, and begin to carry away everything they 
find, even the sheets that cover the sick ! The corporal calls 
“ to arms !” whereupon the Indians retire a short distance and 
shoot their arrows. And now the four soldiers, the carpenter 
and blacksmith commence firing their guns. The latter, 
although he has no armor to protect him from the arrows, 
charges upon the savages, crying out, “ Long live the faith 
of Jesus Christ, and die the dogs his enemies !” Meantime 
the Padre President Junipero is praying that none may be 
hurried to the w'orld of spirits with their sins unforgiven. 
The battle rages on, accompanied by the terrible war-cry of 
the savages. An arrow takes effect 3 a boy called Josef runs 
in great haste and prostrates himself at the Padre’s feet, ex¬ 
claiming, “ Father, give me absolution, for the Indians have 
killed me.” The Padre absolves him. The arrow has passed 
through his throat 3 and he immediately dies! His death is 
kept secret and the battle continues. Many of the savages 
fall. They drag away their dead and dying, till at length, 
panic-smitten by the destructive effects of fire-arms, they flee 
to the hills in great precipitation ! 
It cannot be known how many of these savages have 
perished by this mad act. Very many are known to be 
wounded 3 for in a few days their friends bring them into the 
mission and entreat the Padres to cure them : and the surgeon 
and the Padres treat them kindly till restored to health 
Padre Biseayno, one soldier, an Indian Christian, and the 
brave blacksmith are wounded 3 but in a short time all the 
whites, except the poor boy Josef, are well again. This un¬ 
successful attack has a salutary effect on the Indians. They 
come fearfully into the mission every day, and treat the Padres 
and the religion they teach with deference. A boy about 
