he run.
As soon as he came near he cried to me:"

"'Antonio, el padre se ha ido (the padre is gone)! His horse is not
here, nor his saddle.'"

"My heart stood still. So all that I had feared the day before was come
true, and our beloved padre had left us. But how suddenly it had taken
place! I thought of 'San Diego' and 'the small ship Pocahontas,' and
knew all. I had not seen Miguel since my talk with him two nights
before, and he knew nothing of what had occurred. I now told him
everything."

"'Dios mio! Our padre gone away, not to come back? Oh, why did he
go? Why did not he stay with us? What shall we do without him?' he
exclaimed."

"While Miguel was crying in this manner, I was like one stunned, and
knew not what to do. Suddenly a thought came to me."

"Miguel, let us follow him, and, if we can, persuade him to come back.
I know he did not go willingly, but was driven to it by the Governor and
his people; for you know he has often said that here was his home, and
here he intended to stay, until his death.'"

"'But, Antonio, what can we two do? He would not listen to us, and,
besides, he must be too far ahead now to be overtaken. And the ship may
have left before we get to San Diego. You did not hear when it was to
sail?'"

"'No, but we can come up with him, I am sure, before he reaches San
Diego, if we waste no time. Come, I am going to tell my father, and get
my horse, and be off.' And I started on the run for my father's house,
which was not far from the church. I found him just leaving for his
work, and told him, in a few words, what had happened. He was not so
surprised as I thought he would be, for he was an old man, and knew more
of all that was taking place in the country, than was possible for me, a
mere boy."

"'Go, Antonio,' he said. 'I shall follow you;' and he turned away into
the house."

"I waited not to see what he would do, but darted away, and, catching my
horse, was off as hard as I could ride. Before I had gone many rods, I
heard a horse's gallop behind me, and, looking back, saw Miguel at full
speed. I stopped to permit him to come up with me, and then, without a
word, we went on together."

"There are nearly ten leagues between San Luis Rey and San Diego,
Senor; and as we were determined to reach there by noon, we said very
little during the whole ride, but urged our horses to their utmost.
After going a few miles, we came to the shore, and went along by the
ocean, sometimes on