The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Mission Stories of California, by
Charles Franklin Carter

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Title: Old Mission Stories of California

Author: Charles Franklin Carter

Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6506]
Posting Date: April 23, 2009

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD MISSION STORIES OF CALIFORNIA ***

Produced by David Schwann

OLD MISSION STORIES OF CALIFORNIA

By Charles Franklin Carter

Author of "The Missions of Nueva California"
and "Some By-ways of California"

San Francisco

Copyright 1917, by Paul Elder and Company

Contents

Foreword
The Indian Sibyl's Prophecy
The Flight of Padre Peyri
Father Zalvidea's Money
La Beata
Juana
Father Uria's Saints
Pomponio

Foreword

Of the last six stories comprising the seven in this little collection
of Stories of the Old Missions, all but one have, as a basis, some
modicum, larger or smaller, of historical fact, the tale of Juana alone
being wholly fanciful, although with an historical background. The first
story of the series may be considered as introductory to the mission
tales proper.

In these quiet, unpretending stories the writer has attempted to give
a faithful picture of life among the Indians and Spaniards in Nueva
California during the early days of the past century.

October, 1917.

The Indian Sibyl's Prophecy

In the southern part of the Mojave Desert a low hill stands somewhat
apart from the foot-hills beyond, and back of it. Although not more
than two hundred feet above the surrounding plateau, on account of its
peculiar location, a commanding view may be had from its top. In front,
toward the south, and extending all the way from east to west, the plain
stretches off for many miles, until it approaches the distant horizon,
where it is merged into lofty mountains, forming a tumultuous, serrated
sky-line. Midway between the hill and the distant mountains, lie the
beds, sharply defined, of three dry lakes. In the garish light of day
they show for what they are, the light yellow hard-baked soil of the
desert,