ate was brought to the boys at half-past five,
after which they dressed, and mounting the mustangs awaiting their
pleasure in the courtyard, went off for a morning canter. At Roldan's
suggestion they reconnoitred the hills behind the Mission and got the
bearings definitely shaped in their minds; the great raid was to be at
night. They returned to a big breakfast at nine o'clock, then rode out
again to meet the expected guests. It was but a few moments before they
saw several cavalcades approaching from as many different directions.
The young men and women, in silken clothes of every hue, were on horses
caparisoned with velvet, carved leather, and silver; in many instances
a girl had proud possession of the saddle, while her swain bestrode the
anquera behind, his arm supporting her waist. Roldan wondered if
anything would ever induce him to sacrifice his dignity like that. (It
may be remarked here, as this history has only to do with the famous
Californian's boyhood, that the day came when he could bow the knee to
the fair sex with as graceful an ardour as did he not employ his
sterner moments making laws and enforcing them.) The older folk
travelled in carretas, the conveyance of the country, a springless
wagon set on wheels cut from the solid thickness of the tree. It was
driven by gananes, sitting astride the mustangs and singing lustily.
The interior was lined with satin and padded, but was probably
uncomfortable enough. Everybody looked smiling and happy, and a number
of lads left their respective parties and cantered over to Rafael and
his guests. A few moments later they all galloped at the top speed of
their much-enduring mustangs to a great clump of oaks, where they
dismounted and listened with breathless interest to the adventures of
Roldan and Adan. All had been drafted, and must leave for barracks with
the new year. They complimented the adventurers in a curious mixture of
stately Spanish and eager youthfulness, and their admiration was so
apparent that our heroes would have doubled the dangers of the past on
the spot.

When they returned home to dinner the great space before the house was
filled with shining horses pawing the ground under their heavy saddles.
The court and corridors were an animated scene, overflowing with dons
and donas in brilliant array. When dinner was over and the grown-up
guests and young girls were lingering over the Christmas dulces, all
the boys slipped away and went out to the huge