o the Priest Captain, in Culhuacan!"

"And so go to your death," I said, speaking brokenly, for the pain that
his words caused me went through me like a knife-thrust.

"Say, rather," Fray Antonio answered, "that I go to win the life,
glorious and eternal, into which neither death nor sin nor sorrow
evermore can come!"

XXVIII.

THE SURRENDER OF A LIFE.

Knowing as I did Fray Antonio's resolute nature, and understanding far
more clearly than it was possible for the others to understand the
heroic impulses which stirred within him, I took no part in the attempt
that they then made to oppose the purpose which he had declared. But
when they somewhat shifted their position--perceiving how hopeless was
their effort to shake by argument his firm resolve--and sought to win
him to their way of thinking by consenting to leave the valley if only
he would accompany them, then I most earnestly joined my entreaties to
theirs. But no more by entreaty than by argument was Fray Antonio to be
moved.

And, in truth, there was a logical consistency in what he urged in
answer to us that, much though we might resent it, we yet were compelled
to respect. He had come with us, he said, for the single purpose of
preaching the saving grace of Christianity to heathen souls which
otherwise would perish utterly in their idolatry. And this was not a
matter wherein he had any right of election, but was a solemn duty that
the vows by which he was bound compelled him to fulfil. He was not free,
therefore, as we were free, to consider side issues relating to his
personal well-being or to mere expediency; his sole endeavor must be to
accomplish by the most efficient means the duty wherewith he was
charged. It was evident, he urged, that should there be war in the
valley the chance for the further spread of Christian doctrine would he
scant; for the seed that he had sown, and that already was well rooted
in many hearts, would die quickly and be utterly lost in the foul growth
of evil passions which would spring up rankly amid this bloody strife.
But if the war could be averted, not only would these people be spared
the misery that war must bring upon them, and the crime also of slaying
each other, but their hearts would remain open to the gentle doctrine
that he had taught; and his willingness--should such sacrifice be
necessary--to yield his life that peace might be preserved, would force
upon them strongly the conviction, tending thus to t