the beach itself, sometimes on the mesa above. But
swiftly as we went, the sun was still quicker, and it was nearly noon
when we came in sight of San Diego. We hastened on, past houses, the
presidio, and down to the edge of the water, taking no notice of the
men, women and children, who gazed wonderingly after us. Out in the bay,
not far from the shore, lay a ship with sails spread, ready to start
with the first puff of wind, which began faintly to blow as we reached
the water. On the deck there were many people, passengers and sailors,
and among them we saw our padre, a little apart from the others, and
gazing toward the land he was leaving. By his side stood Don Manuel, who
had been at the mission the day before, and with them were two of the
mission Indians. I envied them, Senor, and wished I could have been
there also, for my heart was breaking at the thought of losing my
beloved padre. At first he did not notice us, but when, with a cry, we
called to him, he started as he saw us standing on the beach, with our
arms held out to him. Just at that instant, we heard a distant sound of
horses coming hard and fast over the ground toward us. Looking around,
we saw a sight that made us thrill: a great throng of men, each one
urging on with whip and spur the horse he was riding. We did not at once
know what it meant, but, in a second or two, understood. It was a band
of Indians from our mission. Madly they dashed down to the shore, sprang
from their horses, and fell on their knees--some on the beach, some
half in the water, so great was the crowd--imploring, with heartbreaking
cries, our padre to have pity on them and not leave them. There were
nearly five hundred men, and their lamentations were terrible to hear."

"But the sails had filled with the freshening breeze, and the ship was
fast getting under way. The padre gazed at us all, long and sorrowfully,
and, with arms raised up to Heaven, in a faltering voice, which we could
scarcely hear from the increasing distance, called down the blessing of
God on us. With groans and cries we watched the ship sail away, and as
it faded into the distance, we saw our beloved padre kneeling on the
deck in prayer."

"Senor, there is no more to tell. We waited there on the beach until
the ship had disappeared; then slowly, one by one, found each our horse,
and set out for the mission. All night we rode, not caring how or when
we should get there. When we reached the mission, we found th