e Father to the priests at Capistrano,
San Fernando and the more distant Santa Barbara.

During his absence, Juana hardly dared stir from the house, except to
take the beaten road to the mission; and even this required a mustering
up of her courage every time she made the short journey, although she
knew a foe would be very unlikely to venture into so exposed a position.
On the day of Diego's departure, Father Zalvidea had made her relate to
him every detail of her episode in the canyon. He feared the worst, but
made light of it to her. At the same time he told her she might stay
at the mission if she feared to be alone, until such time as the danger
should be past. But Juana could not make up her mind to leave her home,
her flowers, which she tended so carefully, and her garden, which,
without her daily oversight, would be ruined. Thanking the Father, she
said she would stay on at home, unless something more should occur.

Day after day went by without further incident of any kind. Indeed,
the presence of the Indian in the canyon appeared to be the last of the
series of occurrences to cause alarm; and the anxiety of the Father and
the Mexicans was quieted. Still, as Diego did not return, they knew
that affairs at the other missions were not in an altogether favorable
condition.

But at last, after an absence of nearly three weeks, Diego returned, and
brought tidings boding no good. There was no trouble apparent impending
at San Juan Capistrano, and but little at San Fernando; but at Santa
Barbara, and especially at Santa Inez, to which missions Diego had
been sent by the priests at Santa Barbara, much trouble was feared, and
at any moment. The neophytes were watched closely, but there were many
gentiles in the mountains around, who had stirred up the mission Indians
to a state of great excitement. However, there was nothing to do, except
to keep a strict guard.

Juana was overjoyed to see Diego. She had kept on with her daily work
at the mission and at home, and, as nothing further had occurred of
an alarming nature, she had, by degrees, lost much of her terror. Her
anxiety for Diego, too, had helped to draw away her thought from herself
and her situation. That was a happy evening for Juana, and her happiness
was increased when Diego told her he would not be obliged to leave again
for some weeks, unless the outbreak that was feared should materialize
to call him away.

Well for us we know not what the morrow may b