Winterpassed,andthesummercameThetrunksofmadrono,allaflame,HereandtherethroughtheunderwoodLikepillarsoffirestarklystood。
  AllofthebreezysolitudeWasfilledwiththespicingofpineandbayAndresinousodorsmixedandblended;
  Anddimandghostlike,faraway,Thesmokeoftheburningwoodsascended。
  Thenofasuddenthemountainsswam,Theriverspiledtheirfloodsinadam,TheridgeaboveLosGatosCreekArcheditsspineinafelinefashion;
  Theforestswaltzedtilltheygrewsick,AndNatureshookinaspeechlesspassion;
  And,swallowedupintheearthquake’sspleen,ThewonderfulSpringofSanJoaquinVanished,andnevermorewasseen!
  Twodayspassed:theMissionfolkOutoftheirrosydreamawoke;
  Someofthemlookedatriflewhite,Butthat,nodoubt,wasfromearthquakefright。
  Threedays:therewassoredistress,Headache,nausea,giddiness。
  Fourdays:faintings,tendernessOfthemouthandfauces;andinlessThanoneweek——herethestorycloses;
  Wewon’tcontinuetheprognosis——
  EnoughthatnownotraceisseenOfSpringorMissionofSanJoaquin。
  MORAL
  Youseethepoint?Don’tbetooquickTobreakbadhabits:betterstick,LiketheMissionfolk,toyourARSENIC。
  THEANGELUS
  (HEARDATTHEMISSIONDOLORES,1868)
  BellsofthePast,whoselong-forgottenmusicStillfillsthewideexpanse,TingeingthesobertwilightofthePresentWithcolorofromance!
  Ihearyourcall,andseethesundescendingOnrockandwaveandsand,AsdownthecoasttheMissionvoices,blending,Girdletheheathenland。
  WithinthecircleofyourincantationNoblightnormildewfalls;
  Norfierceunrest,norlust,norlowambitionPassesthoseairywalls。
  Borneontheswellofyourlongwavesreceding,ItouchthefartherPast;
  IseethedyingglowofSpanishglory,Thesunsetdreamandlast!
  Beforemerisethedome-shapedMissiontowers,ThewhitePresidio;
  Theswartcommanderinhisleathernjerkin,Thepriestinstoleofsnow。
  OncemoreIseePortala’scrossupliftingAbovethesettingsun;
  Andpasttheheadland,northward,slowlydrifting,Thefreightedgalleon。
  Osolemnbells!whoseconsecratedmassesRecallthefaithofold;
  Otinklingbells!thatlulledwithtwilightmusicThespiritualfold!
  Yourvoicesbreakandfalterinthedarkness,——
  Break,falter,andarestill;
  Andveiledandmystic,liketheHostdescending,Thesunsinksfromthehill!
  CONCEPCIONDEARGUELLO
  (PRESIDIODESANFRANCISCO,1800)
  I
  Lookingseaward,o’erthesand-hillsstandsthefortress,oldandquaint,BytheSanFranciscofriarsliftedtotheirpatronsaint,——
  Sponsortothatwondrouscity,nowapostatetothecreed,OnwhoseyouthfulwallsthePadresawtheangel’sgoldenreed;
  Allitstrophieslongsincescattered,allitsblazonbrushedaway;
  Andtheflagthatfliesaboveitbutatriumphofto-day。
  Neverscarofsiegeorbattlechallengesthewanderingeye,Neverbreachofwarlikeonsetholdsthecuriouspasser-by;
  OnlyonesweethumanfancyinterweavesitsthreadsofgoldWiththeplainandhomespunpresent,andalovethatne’ergrowsold;
  Onlyonethingholdsitscrumblingwallsabovethemeanerdust,——
  Listentothesimplestoryofawoman’sloveandtrust。
  II
  CountvonResanoff,theRussian,envoyofthemightyCzar,Stoodbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare。
  HewithgraveprovincialmagnateslonghadheldserenedebateOntheTreatyofAllianceandthehighaffairsofstate;
  HefromgraveprovincialmagnatesofthadturnedtotalkapartWiththeCommandante’sdaughteronthequestionsoftheheart,Untilpointsofgravestimportyieldedslowlyonebyone,AndbyLovewasconsummatedwhatDiplomacybegun;
  Tillbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,HereceivedthetwofoldcontractforapprovaloftheCzar;
  Tillbesidethebrazencannonthebetrothedbadeadieu,AndfromsallyportandgatewaynorththeRussianeaglesflew。
  III
  Longbesidethedeepembrasures,wherethebrazencannonare,DidtheywaitthepromisedbridegroomandtheansweroftheCzar;
  Daybydayonwallandbastionbeatthehollow,emptybreeze,——
  Daybydaythesunlightglitteredonthevacant,smilingseas:
  Weekbyweekthenearhillswhitenedintheirdustyleathercloaks,——
  Weekbyweekthefarhillsdarkenedfromthefringingplainofoaks;
  Tilltherainscame,andfarbreaking,onthefiercesouthwestertost,Dashedthewholelongcoastwithcolor,andthenvanishedandwerelost。
  Soeachyeartheseasonsshifted,——wetandwarmanddrearanddryHalfayearofcloudsandflowers,halfayearofdustandsky。
  Stillitbroughtnoshipnormessage,——broughtnotidings,illormeet,ForthestatesmanlikeCommander,forthedaughterfairandsweet。
  Yetsheheardthevaryingmessage,voicelesstoallearsbeside:
  "Hewillcome,"theflowerswhispered;"Comenomore,"thedryhillssighed。
  Stillshefoundhimwiththewatersliftedbythemorningbreeze,——
  Stillshelosthimwiththefoldingofthegreatwhite-tentedseas;
  Untilhollowschasedthedimplesfromhercheeksofolivebrown,Andattimesaswift,shymoisturedraggedthelongsweetlashesdown;
  Orthesmallmouthcurvedandquiveredasforsomedeniedcaress,Andthefairyoungbrowwasknittedinaninfantinedistress。
  ThenthegrimCommander,pacingwherethebrazencannonare,Comfortedthemaidwithproverbs,wisdomgatheredfromafar;
  Bitsofancientobservationbyhisfathersgarnered,eachAsapebblewornandpolishedinthecurrentofhisspeech:
  "’Thosewhowaitthecomingridertraveltwiceasfarashe;’
  ’Tiredwenchandcomingbutterneverdidintimeagree;’
  "’Hethatgettethhimselfhoney,thoughaclown,heshallhaveflies;’
  ’IntheendGodgrindsthemiller;’’Inthedarkthemolehaseyes;’
  "’HewhosefatherisAlcaldeofhistrialhathnofear,’——
  AndbesuretheCounthasreasonsthatwillmakehisconductclear。"
  Thenthevoicesententiousfaltered,andthewisdomitwouldteachLostitselfinfondesttriflesofhissoftCastilianspeech;
  Andon"Concha""Conchitita,"and"Conchita"hewoulddwellWiththefondreiterationwhichtheSpaniardknowssowell。
  Sowithproverbsandcaresses,halfinfaithandhalfindoubt,Everydaysomehopewaskindled,flickered,faded,andwentout。
  IV
  Yearly,downthehillsidesweeping,camethestatelycavalcade,Bringingreveltovaquero,joyandcomforttoeachmaid;
  Bringingdaysofformalvisit,socialfeastandrusticsport,Ofbull-baitingontheplaza,oflove-makinginthecourt。
  VainlythenatConcha’slattice,vainlyastheidlewind,RosethethinhighSpanishtenorthatbespoketheyouthtookind;
  Vainly,leaningfromtheirsaddles,caballeros,boldandfleet,Pluckedforhertheburiedchickenfrombeneaththeirmustang’sfeet;
  Soinvainthebarrenhillsideswiththeirgayserapesblazed,——
  Blazedandvanishedinthedust-cloudthattheirflyinghoofshadraised。
  Thenthedrumcalledfromtherampart,andoncemore,withpatientmien,TheCommanderandhisdaughtereachtookupthedullroutine,——
  Eachtookupthepettydutiesofalifeapartandlone,Tilltheslowyearswroughtamusicinitsdrearymonotone。
  V
  Fortyyearsonwallandbastionsweptthehollowidlebreeze,SincetheRussianeagleflutteredfromtheCaliforniaseas;
  Fortyyearsonwallandbastionwroughtitsslowbutsuredecay,AndSt。George’scrosswasliftedintheportofMonterey;
  Andthecitadelwaslighted,andthehallwasgaylydrest,AlltohonorSirGeorgeSimpson,famoustravelerandguest。
  Farandnearthepeoplegatheredtothecostlybanquetset,AndexchangedcongratulationswiththeEnglishbaronet;
  Till,theformalspeechesended,andamidstthelaughandwine,SomeonespokeofConcha’slover,——heedlessofthewarningsign。
  QuicklythencriedSirGeorgeSimpson:"Speaknoillofhim,Ipray!
  Heisdead。Hedied,poorfellow,fortyyearsagothisday,——
  "DiedwhilespeedinghometoRussia,fallingfromafractioushorse。
  Leftasweetheart,too,theytellme。Married,Isuppose,ofcourse!
  "Livessheyet?"Adeathlikesilencefellonbanquet,guests,andhall,Andatremblingfigurerisingfixedtheawestruckgazeofall。
  Twoblackeyesindarkenedorbitsgleamedbeneaththenun’swhitehood;
  Blacksergehidthewastedfigure,bowedandstrickenwhereitstood。
  "Livessheyet?"SirGeorgerepeated。AllwerehushedasConchadrewCloseryethernun’sattire。"Senor,pardon,shedied,too!"
  "FORTHEKING"
  (NORTHERNMEXICO,1640)
  AsyoulookfromtheplazaatLeonwestYoucanseeherhouse,buttheviewisbestFromtheporchofthechurchwheresheliesatrest;
  Wheremuchofherpaststilllives,Ithink,InthescowlingbrowsandsidelongblinkOftheworshipingthrongthatriseorsinkTothewaxensaintsthat,yellowandlank,Leanoutfromtheirniches,rankonrank,WithabloodlessSaviouroneitherflank;
  Inthegoutypillars,whosecracksbeginToshowtheadobecorewithin,——
  Asoulofearthinawhitewashedskin。
  AndIthinkthatthemoralofall,you’llsay,IsthesculpturedlegendthatmouldsawayOnatombinthechoir:"PorelRey。"
  "PorelRey!"Well,thekingisgoneAgesago,andtheHapsburgoneShot——buttheRockoftheChurchliveson。
  "PorelRey!"Whatmatters,indeed,IfkingorpresidentsucceedToacountryhaggardwithslothandgreed,Aslongasonegranaryisfat,Andyonderpriest,inashovelhat,Peepsoutfromthebinlikeasleekbrownrat?
  Whatmatters?Naught,ifitservestobringThelegendnearer,——nootherthing,——
  We’llsparethemoral,"Livetheking!"
  Twohundredyearsago,theysay,TheViceroy,MarquisofMonte-Rey,Rodewithhisretinuethatway:
  Grave,asbefittedSpain’sgrandee;
  Grave,asthesubstituteshouldbeOfHisMostCatholicMajesty;
  Yet,fromhisblackplume’scurvinggraceTohisslimblackgauntlet’ssmallerspace,Exquisiteasapieceoflace!
  Twohundredyearsago——e’enso——
  TheMarquisstoppedwherethelime-treesblow,WhileLeon’sseneschalbenthimlow,AndbeggedthattheMarquiswouldthatnighttakeHishumblerooffortheroyalsake,Andthen,asthecustomdemanded,spakeTheusualwish,thathisguestwouldholdThehouse,andallthatitmightenfold,Ashis——withthebridescarcethreedaysold。
  BesurethattheMarquis,inhisplace,RepliedtoallwiththemeasuredgraceOfchosenspeechandunmovedface;
  NorraisedhisheadtillhisblackplumesweptThehemofthelady’srobe,whokeptHerplace,asherhusbandbackwardstept。
  Andthen(Iknownothownorwhy)
  Asubtleflameinthelady’seye——
  Unseenbythecourtiersstandingby——
  Burnedthroughhislaceandtitledwreath,Burnedthroughhisbody’sjeweledsheath,Tillittouchedthesteelofthemanbeneath!
  (Andyet,mayhap,nomorewasmeantThantopointawell-worncompliment,Andthelady’sbeauty,herworstintent。)
  Howbeit,theMarquisbowedagain:
  "WhoruleswithawewellservethSpain,Butbestwhoselawislovemadeplain。"
  BesurethatnightnopillowprestTheseneschal,butwiththerestWatched,aswasduearoyalguest,——
  WatchedfromthewalltillhesawthesquareFillwiththemoonlight,whiteandbare,——
  WatchedtillhesawtwoshadowsfareOutfromhisgarden,wheretheshadeThattheoldchurchtowerandbelfrymadeLikeabenedictoryhandwaslaid。
  FewwordsspoketheseneschalasheturnedTohisnearestsentry:"ThesemonkshavelearnedThatstolenfruitissweetlyearned。
  "MyselfshallpunishyonacolyteWhogathersmygardengrapesbynight;
  Meanwhile,waitthoutillthemorninglight。"
  YetnottillthesunwasridinghighDidthesentrymeethiscommander’seye,NorthentilltheViceroystoodby。
  TotheloversofgraveformalitiesNogreetingwaseversofine,Iwis,Asthishost’sandguest’shighcourtesies!
  Theseneschalfeared,asthewindwaswest,AblastfromMorenahadchilledhisrest;
  TheViceroylanguidlyconfestThatcaresofstate,and——hedaredtosay——
  SomefearsthattheKingcouldnotrepayThethoughtfulzealofhishost,somewayHadmarredhisrest。YethetrustedmuchNonesharedhiswakefulness;thoughsuchIndeedmightbe!IfhedaredtotouchAthemesofine——thebride,perchance,Stillslept!Atleast,theymissedherglanceTogivethisgreetingcountenance。
  Besurethattheseneschal,inturn,WasdeeplybowedwiththegraveconcernOfthepainfulnewshisguestshouldlearn:
  "Lastnight,toherfather’sdyingbedByapriestwastheladysummoned;
  Norknowweyethowwellshesped,"Buthopeforthebest。"ThegraveViceroy(Thoughgrievedhisvisithadsuchalloy)
  MuststillwishtheseneschalgreatjoyOfabridesotruetoherfilialtrust!
  Yetnow,asthedaywaxedon,theymustTohorse,ifthey’d’scapethenoondaydust。
  "Nay,"saidtheseneschal,"atleast,Tomendthenewsofthisfuneralpriest,Myselfshallrideasyourescorteast。"
  TheViceroybowed。ThenturnedasideTohisnearestfollower:"Withmeride——
  YouandFelipe——oneitherside。
  "Andlist!Shouldanythingmebefall,Mischanceofambushormusket-ball,Cleavetohissaddleyonseneschal!
  "Nomore。"ThengravelyinaccentsclearTookformalleaveofhislategoodcheer;
  Whilestheseneschalwhisperedamusketeer,Carelesslystrokinghispommeltop:
  "Iffromthesaddleyeseemedrop,Riddlemequicklyyonsolemnfop!"
  Sothese,withmanyacompliment,Eachonhisowndarkthoughtintent,Withgravepolitenessonwardwent,Ridinghigh,andinsightofall,Viceroy,escort,andseneschal,UndertheshadeoftheAlmandral;
  Holdingtheirsecrethardandfast,SilentandgravetheyrideatlastIntothedustytraveledPast。
  EvenlikethistheypassedawayTwohundredyearsagoto-day。
  Whatofthelady?Whoshallsay?
  DothesoulsofthedyingeveryearnTosomefavoredspotforthedust’sreturn,Forthehomelypeaceofthefamilyurn?
  Iknownot。Yetdidtheseneschal,Chancinginafter-yearstofallPiercedbyaFlemishmusket-ball,Calltohissideatrustyfriar,Andbidhimswear,ashislastdesire,TobearhiscorsetoSanPedro’schoirAtLeon,where’neathashieldazureShouldhismortalframefindsepulture:
  Thismuch,forthepainsChristdidendure。
  BesurethatthefriarloyallyFulfilledhistrustbylandandsea,TillthespiresofLeonsilentlyRosethroughthegreenoftheAlmandral,AsiftobeckontheseneschalTohiskindreddust’neaththechoirwall。
  IwotthatthesaintsoneithersideLeanedfromtheirnichesopen-eyedToseethedoorsofthechurchswingwide;
  ThatthewoundsoftheSaviouroneitherflankBledfresh,asthemourners,rankbyrank,Wentbywiththecoffin,clankonclank。
  Forwhy?WhentheyraisedthemarbledoorOfthetomb,untouchedforyearsbefore,Thefriarswoonedonthechoirfloor;
  Forthere,inherlacesandfestaldress,Laythedeadman’swife,herlovelinessScarcelychangedbyherlongduress,——
  Asonthenightshehadpassedaway;
  Onlythatnearheradaggerlay,Withthewrittenlegend,"PorelRey。"
  Whatwastheirgreeting,thegroomandbride,Theywhomthatsteelandtheyearsdivide?
  Iknownot。Heretheyliesidebyside。
  Sidebyside!Thoughthekinghashisway,Eventhedeadatlasthavetheirday。
  Makeyouthemoral。"PorelRey!"
  RAMON
  (REFUGIOMINE,NORTHERNMEXICO)
  Drunkandsenselessinhisplace,Proneandsprawlingonhisface,MorelikebrutethananymanAliveordead,Byhisgreatpumpoutofgear,Laythepeonengineer,Wakingonlyjusttohear,Overhead,Angrytonesthatcalledhisname,Oathsandcriesofbitterblame,——
  Woketohearallthis,and,waking,turnedandfled!
  "Tothemanwho’llbringtome,"
  CriedIntendantHarryLee,——
  HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,——
  "Bringthesotaliveordead,Iwillgivetohim,"hesaid,"Fifteenhundredpesosdown,Justtosettherascal’scrownUnderneaththisheelofmine:
  SincebutdeathDeservesthemanwhosedeed,Beitviceorwantofheed,Stopsthepumpsthatgiveusbreath,——
  StopsthepumpsthatsuckthedeathFromthepoisonedlowerlevelsofthemine!"
  Nooneanswered;foracryFromtheshaftroseuponhigh,Andshuffling,scrambling,tumblingfrombelow,Cametheminerseach,thebolderMountingontheweaker’sshoulder,Grappling,clingingtotheirholdorLettinggo,AstheweakergaspedandfellFromtheladdertothewell,——
  TothepoisonedpitofhellDownbelow!
  "Tothemanwhosetsthemfree,"
  Criedtheforeman,HarryLee,——
  HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine,——
  "Bringsthemoutandsetsthemfree,Iwillgivethatman,"saidhe,"Twicethatsum,whowitharopeFacetofacewithDeathshallcope。
  Lethimcomewhodarestohope!"
  "Holdyourpeace!"someonereplied,Standingbytheforeman’sside;
  "Therehasonealreadygone,whoe’erhebe!"
  Thentheyheldtheirbreathwithawe,Pullingontherope,andsawFaintingfiguresreappear,Ontheblackropeswingingclear,Fastenedbysomeskillfulhandfrombelow;
  Tillascorethelevelgained,Andbutonealoneremained,——
  Hetheheroandthelast,HewhoseskillfulhandmadefastThelonglinethatbroughtthembacktohopeandcheer!
  Haggard,gasping,downdroppedheAtthefeetofHarryLee,——
  HarryLee,theEnglishforemanofthemine。
  "Ihavecome,"hegasped,"toclaimBothrewards。Senor,mynameIsRamon!
  I’mthedrunkenengineer,I’mthecoward,Senor"——HereHefellover,bythatsign,Deadasstone!
  DONDIEGOOFTHESOUTH
  (REFECTORY,MISSIONSANGABRIEL,1869)
  Good!——saidthePadre,——believemestill,"DonGiovanni,"orwhatyouwill,Thetype’seternal!WeknewhimhereAsDonDiegodelSud。IfearThestory’snonewone!Willyouhear?
  Oneofthosespiritsyoucan’ttellwhyGodhaspermitted。ThereinI
  Havetheadvantage,forIholdThatwolvesaresenttothepurestfold,Andwe’dsavethewolfifwe’dgetthelamb。
  You’renobeliever?Good!Iam。
  Well,forsomepurpose,Igrantyoudim,TheDonlovedwomen,andtheylovedhim。
  EachthoughtherselfhisLASTlove!Worst,ManybelievedthattheywerehisFIRST!
  And,sucharethesecreaturessincetheFall,Theverydoubthadacharmforall!
  Youlaugh!Youareyoung,butI——indeedIhavenopatience……Toproceed:——
  Yousaw,asyoupassedthroughtheuppertown,TheEucinalwheretheroadgoesdownToSanFelipe!ThereonemornTheyfoundDiego,——hismantletorn,Andasmanyholesthroughhisdoublet’sbandAstherewerewrongedhusbands——youunderstand!
  "Dying,"sosaidthegossips。"Dead"
  Waswhatthefriarswhofoundhimsaid。
  Maybe。Quiensabe?Whoelseshouldknow?
  Itwasahundredyearsago。
  Therewasafuneral。Smallindeed——
  Private。Whatwouldyou?Toproceed:——
  Scarcelytheyearhadflown。OnenightTheCommandanteawokeinfright,Hearingbelowhiscasement’sbarThewell-knowntwangoftheDon’sguitar;
  Andrushedtothewindow,justtoseeHiswifea-swoononthebalcony。
  Oneweeklater,DonJuanRamirezFoundhisowndaughter,theDonaInez,Paleasaghost,leaningouttohearThesongofthatphantomcavalier。
  EvenAlcaldePedroBlasSaw,itwassaid,throughhisniece’sglass,TheshadeofDiegotwicerepass。
  WhatthesegentlemeneachconfessedHeavenandtheChurchonlyknows。AtbestThecasewasabadone。HowtodealWithSinasaGhost,theycouldn’tbutfeelWasanawfulthing。TillacertainFrayHumblyofferedtoshowtheway。
  Andthewaywasthis。DidIsaybeforeThattheFraywasastranger?No,Senor?
  Strange!verystrange!IshouldhavesaidThattheveryweekthattheDonlaydeadHecameamongus。BreadhebrokeSilent,norevertoonehespoke。
  Sohehadvowedit!BelowhisbrowsHisfacewashidden。Therearesuchvows!
  Strange!aretheynot?YoudonotuseSnuff?Abadhabit!
  Well,theviewsOftheFraywerethese:thatthepenancedoneBythecaballeroswasright;butoneWasduefromtheCAUSE,andthat,inbrief,WasDonaDoloresGomez,chief,AndInez,Sanchicha,Concepcion,AndCarmen,——well,halfthegirlsintownOnhistabletstheFriarhadwrittendown。
  TheseweretocomeonacertaindayAndaskatthehandsofthepiousFrayForabsolution。Thatdone,smallfearButtheshadeofDiegowoulddisappear。
  Theycame;eachkneltinherturnandplaceTothepiousFraywithhishiddenfaceAndvoicelesslips,andeachagainTookbackhersoulfreedfromspotorstain,TilltheDonaInez,witheyesdowncastAndatearontheirfringes,kneltherlast。
  Andthen——perhapsthathervoicewaslowFromfearorfromshame——themonkssaidso——
  ButtheFrayleanedforward,when,presto!allWerethrilledbyascream,andsawherfallFaintingbesidetheconfessional。
  AndsowastheghostofDiegolaidAstheFrayhadsaid。NevermorehisshadeWasseenatSanGabriel’sMission。Eh!
  Thegirlinterestsyou?Idaresay!
  "Nothing,"saidshe,whentheybroughtherto——
  "Onlyafaintness!"TheyspokemoretrueWhosaid’twasastubbornsoul。Butthen——
  Womenarewomen,andmenaremen!
  So,toreturn。AsIsaidbefore,Havinggotthewolf,bythesamehighlawWesavedthelambinthewolf’sownjaw,Andthat’smymoral。Thetale,Ifear,Butpoorlytold。YetitstrikesmehereIsstuffforamoral。What’syourview?
  Yousmile,DonPancho。Ah!that’slikeyou!
  ATTHEHACIENDA
  KnowInotwhomthoumaystbeCarveduponthisolive-tree,——
  "ManuelaofLaTorre,"——
  ForaroundonbrokenwallsSummersunandspringrainfalls,Andinvainthelowwindcalls"ManuelaofLaTorre。"
  OfthatsongnowordsremainButthemusicalrefrain,——
  "ManuelaofLaTorre。"
  Yetatnight,whenwindsarestill,TinklesonthedistanthillAguitar,andwordsthatthrillTelltometheold,oldstory,——
  Oldwhenfirstthycharmsweresung,Oldwhentheseoldwallswereyoung,"ManuelaofLaTorre。"
  FRIARPEDRO’SRIDE
  Itwasthemorningseasonoftheyear;
  Itwasthemorningeraoftheland;
  Thewatercoursesrangfullloudandclear;
  Portala’scrossstoodwherePortala’shandHadplanteditwhenFaithwastaughtbyFear,WhenmonksandmissionsheldthesolecommandOfallthatshorebesidethepeacefulsea,Wherespring-tidesbeattheirlong-drawnreveille。
  OutofthemissionofSanLuisRey,Allinthatbrisk,tumultuousspringweather,RodeFriarPedro,inapiousway,Withsixdragoonsincuirassesofleather,Eacharmedalikeforeitherprayerorfray;
  Handcuffsandmissalstheyhadslungtogether,AndasanaidthegospeltruthtoscatterEachswungalasso——aliasa"riata。"
  Insooth,thatyeartheharvesthadbeenslack,Thecropofconvertsscarceworthcomputation;
  Somesoulswerelost,whoseownershadturnedbackTosavetheirbodiesfrequentflagellation;
  Andsomepreferredthesongsofbirds,alack!
  ToLatinmatinsandtheirsouls’salvation,AndthoughttheirownwildwhoopingswerelessdrearyThanFatherPedro’sdroningmiserere。
  Tobringthembacktomatinsandtoprime,Topiousworksandsecularsubmission,Toprovetothemthatlibertywascrime,——
  Thiswas,infact,thePadre’spresentmission;
  Togetnewsoulsperchanceatthesametime,Andbringthemtoa"senseoftheircondition,"——
  Thateasyphrase,which,inthepastandpresent,Meansmakingthatconditionmostunpleasant。
  Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow;
  Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill;
  Hesawthegopherworkinginhisburrow;
  Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:——
  Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubtathoroughAnddeepconvictionofGod’sgoodness;stillHefailedtoseethatinHisgloryHeYetleftthehumblestofHiscreaturesfree。
  Hesawtheflappingcrow,whosefrequentnoteVoicedthemonotonyoflandandsky,MockingwithgracelesswingandrustycoatHispriestlypresenceashetrottedby。
  Hewouldhavecursedthebirdbybellandrote,Butothergamejustthenwasinhiseye,——
  Asavagecamp,whoseoccupantspreferredTheirheathendarknesstothelivingWord。
  Heranghisbell,andatthemartialsoundTwelvesilverspurstheirjinglingrowelsclashed;
  SixhorsessprangacrossthelevelgroundAssixdragoonsinopenorderdashed;
  Abovetheirheadsthelassoscircledround,Ineveryeyeapiousfervorflashed;
  Theychargedthecamp,andinonemomentmoreTheylassoedsixandreconvertedfour。
  TheFriarsawtheconflictfromaknoll,AndsangLausDeoandcheeredonhismen:
  "Wellthrown,Bautista,——that’sanothersoul;
  Afterhim,Gomez,——tryitonceagain;
  Thisway,Felipe,——theretheheathenstole;
  BonesofSt。Francis!——surelythatmakesTEN;
  TeDeumlaudamus——butthey’reverywild;
  NonnobisDomine——allright,mychild!"
  Whenatthatmoment——asthestorygoes——
  Acertainsquaw,whohadherfoeseluded,RanpasttheFriar,justbeforehisnose。
  Hestaredamoment,andinsilencebrooded;
  TheninhisbreastapiousfrenzyroseAndeveryotherprudentthoughtexcluded;
  Hecaughtalasso,anddashedinacanterAfterthatOccidentalAtalanta。
  Higho’erhisheadheswirledthedreadfulnoose;
  But,asthepracticewasquiteunfamiliar,HisfirstcasttoreFelipe’scaptiveloose,AndalmostchokedTiburcioCamilla,Andmighthaveinterferedwiththatbraveyouth’sAbilitytogorgethetoughtortilla;
  Butallthingscomebypractice,andatlastHisflyingslip-knotcaughtthemaidenfast。
  ThenroseabovetheplainamingledyellOfrageandtriumph,——ademoniacwhoop:
  ThePadrehearditlikeapassingknell,Andwouldhaveloosenedhisunchristianloop;
  Butthetoughraw-hideheldthecaptivewell,Andheld,alas!toowellthecaptor-dupe;
  Forwithoneboundthesavagefledamain,Dragginghorse,Friar,downthelonelyplain。
  Downthearroyo,outacrossthemead,Byheathandhollow,spedtheflyingmaid,DraggingbehindherstillthepantingsteedAndhelplessFriar,whoinvainessayedTocutthelassoortocheckhisspeed。
  Hefelthimselfbeyondallhumanaid,Andtrustedtothesaints,——and,forthatmatter,TosomeweakspotinFelipe’sriata。
  Alas!thelassohadbeendulyblessed,And,likebaptism,heldtheflyingwretch,——
  Adoctrinethatthepriesthadoftexpressed,Which,likethelasso,mightbemadetostretch,Butwouldnotbreak;soneithercoulddivestThemselvesofit,but,likesomeawfulfetch,TheholyFriarhadtorecognizeTheimageofhisfateinheathenguise。
  Hesawtheglebelandguiltlessofafurrow;
  Hesawthewildoatswrestleonthehill;
  Hesawthegopherstandinginhisburrow;
  Hesawthesquirrelscamperingathiswill:——
  Hesawallthis,andfeltnodoubthowthoroughThecontrastwastohiscondition;stillThesquawkeptonwardtothesea,tillnightAndthecoldsea-foghidthembothfromsight。
  Themorningcameabovetheserriedcoast,Lightingthesnow-peakswithitsbeacon-fires,Drivingbeforeitallthefleet-wingedhostOfchatteringbirdsabovetheMissionspires,Fillingthelandwithlightandjoy,butmostThesavagewoodswithalltheirleafylyres;
  InpearlytintsandopalflameandfireThemorningcame,butnottheholyFriar。
  Weekspassedaway。InvaintheFatherssoughtSometraceortokenthatmighttellhisstory;
  Somethoughthimdead,or,likeElijah,caughtUptotheheavensinablazeofglory。
  InthissurmisesomemiracleswerewroughtOnhisaccount,andsoulsinpurgatoryWerethoughttoprofitfromhisintercession;
  Inbrief,hisabsencemadea"deepimpression。"
  Atwelvemonthpassed;thewelcomeSpringoncemoreMadegreenthehillsbesidethewhite-facedMission,Spreadherbrightdaisbythewesternshore,Andsatenthroned,amostresplendentvision。
  TheheathenconvertsthrongedthechapeldoorAtmorningmass,when,saystheoldtradition,Afrightfulwhoopthroughoutthechurchresounded,Andtotheirfeetthecongregationbounded。
  Atrampofhoofsuponthebeatencourse,Thencameasightthatmadethebravestquail:
  AphantomFriaronaspectrehorse,Draggedbyacreaturedeckedwithhornsandtail。
  BytheloneMission,withthewhirlwind’sforce,Theymadlyswept,andleftasulphuroustrail:
  Andthatwasall,——enoughtotellthestory,Andleaveunblessedthosesoulsinpurgatory。
  Andeverafter,onthatfataldayThatFriarPedrorodeabroadlassoing,AghostlycouplecameandwentawayWithsavagewhoopandheathenishhallooing,WhichbroughtdiscreditonSanLuisRey,AndprovedtheMission’sruinandundoing;
  Foreretenyearshadpassed,thesquawandFriarPerformedtoemptywallsandfallenspire。
  TheMissionisnomore;uponitswall。
  Thegoldenlizardsslip,orbreathlesspause,StillasthesunshinebrokenlythatfallsThroughcranniedroofandspider-websofgauze;
  Nomorethebellitssolemnwarningcalls,——
  Aholiersilencethrillsandoverawes;
  Andthesharplightsandshadowsofto-dayOutlinetheMissionofSanLuisRey。
  INTHEMISSIONGARDEN
  (1865)
  FATHERFELIPE
  IspeaknottheEnglishwell,butPachita,Shespeakforme;isitnotso,myPancha?
  Eh,littlerogue?Come,salutemethestrangerAmericano。
  Sir,inmycountrywesay,"Wheretheheartis,Therelivethespeech。"Ah!younotunderstand?So!
  Pardonanoldman,——whatyoucall"oldfogy,"——
  PadreFelipe!
  Old,Senor,old!justsooldastheMission。
  Youseethatpear-tree?Howoldyouthink,Senor?
  Fifteenyear?Twenty?Ah,Senor,justfiftyGonesinceIplanthim!
  Youlikethewine?ItissomeattheMission,Madefromthegrapeoftheyeareighteenhundred;
  AllthesametimewhentheearthquakehecometoSanJuanBautista。
  ButPanchaistwelve,andsheistherose-tree;
  AndIamtheolive,andthisisthegarden:
  And"Pancha"wesay,buthernameis"Francisca,"
  Samelikehermother。
  Eh,youknewHER?No?Ah!itisastory;
  ButIspeaknot,likePachita,theEnglish:
  So!ifItry,youwillsitherebesideme,Andshallnotlaugh,eh?
  WhentheAmericancometotheMission,ManyarriveatthehouseofFrancisca:
  One,——hewasfineman,——hebuythecattleOfJoseCastro。
  So!hecamemuch,andFrancisca,shesawhim:
  Anditwaslove,——andaverydryseason;
  Andthepearsbakeonthetree,——andtheraincome,ButnotFrancisca。
  Notforoneyear;andonenightIhavewalkmuchUndertheolive-tree,whencomesFrancisca,——
  Comestomehere,withherchild,thisFrancisca,——
  Undertheolive-tree。
  Sir,itwassad;……butIspeaknottheEnglish;
  So!……shestayhere,andshewaitforherhusband:
  Hecomenomore,andshesleeponthehillside;
  TherestandsPachita。
  Ah!there’stheAngelus。Willyounotenter?
  OrshallyouwalkinthegardenwithPancha?
  Go,littlerogue——st!attendtothestranger!
  Adios,Senor。
  PACHITA(briskly)。
  So,he’sbeentellingthatyarnaboutmother!
  Blessyou!hetellsittoeverystranger:
  Folksaboutyersaytheoldman’smyfather;
  What’syouropinion?
  THELOSTGALLEON*
  Insixteenhundredandforty-one,Theregularyearlygalleon,Ladenwithodorousgumsandspice,IndiacottonsandIndiarice,AndtherichestsilksoffarCathay,WasdueatAcapulcoBay。
  Dueshewas,andoverdue,——
  Galleon,merchandiseandcrew,Creepingalongthroughrainandshine,Throughthetropics,undertheline。
  Thetrainswerewaitingoutsidethewalls,Thewivesofsailorsthrongedthetown,Thetraderssatbytheiremptystalls,AndtheViceroyhimselfcamedown;
  Thebellsinthetowerwerealla-trip,TeDeumswereoneachFather’slip,ThelimeswereripeninginthesunForthesickofthecominggalleon。
  Allinvain。Weekspassedaway,Andyetnogalleonsawthebay。
  Indiagoodsadvancedinprice;
  TheGovernormissedhisfavoritespice;
  TheSenoritasmournedforsandalAndthefamouscottonsofCoromandel;
  Andsomeforanabsentloverlost,Andoneforahusband,——DonaJulia,Wifeofthecaptaintempest-tossed,Incircumstancessopeculiar;
  EventheFathers,unawares,Grumbledalittleattheirprayers;
  AndallalongthecoastthatyearVotivecandlesworescarceanddear。
  NeveratearbedimstheeyeThattimeandpatiencewillnotdry;
  NeveralipiscurvedwithpainThatcan’tbekissedintosmilesagain;
  Andthesesametruths,asfarasIknow,ObtainedonthecoastofMexicoMorethantwohundredyearsago,Insixteenhundredandfifty-one,——
  Tenyearsafterthedeedwasdone,——
  Andfolkshadforgottenthegalleon:
  Thediversplungedinthegulfforpearls,WhiteastheteethoftheIndiangirls;
  Thetraderssatbytheirfullbazaars;
  Themuleswithmanyawearyload,Andoxendraggingtheircreakingcars,Cameandwentonthemountainroad。
  Wherewasthegalleonallthiswhile?
  Wreckedonsomelonelycoralisle,Burntbytherovingsea-marauders,Orsailingnorthundersecretorders?
  HadshefoundtheAnianpassagefamed,BylyingMaldonadoclaimed,Andsailedthroughthesixty-fifthdegreeDirecttotheNorthAtlanticSea?
  Orhadshefoundthe"RiverofKings,"
  OfwhichDeFontetoldsuchstrangethings,Insixteenforty?Neverasign,Eastorwestorundertheline,Theysawofthemissinggalleon;
  NeverasailorplankorchipTheyfoundofthelong-losttreasure-ship,Orenoughtobuildataleupon。
  Butwhenshewaslost,andwhereandhow,Arethefactswe’recomingtojustnow。
  Take,ifyouplease,thechartofthatday,PublishedatMadrid,——porelRey;
  LookforaspotintheoldSouthSea,ThehundredandeightiethdegreeLongitudewestofMadrid:there,Undertheequatorialglare,Justwheretheeastandwestareone,You’llfindthemissinggalleon,——
  You’llfindtheSanGregorio,yetRidingtheseas,withsailsallset,FreshasupontheverydayShesailedfromAcapulcoBay。
  Howdidshegetthere?WhatstrangespellKepthertwohundredyearssowell,Freefromdecayandmortaltaint?
  Whatbuttheprayersofapatronsaint!
  AhundredleaguesfromManillatown,TheSanGregorio’shelmcamedown;
  Roundshewentonherheel,andnotAcable’slengthfromagalliotThatrockedonthewatersjustabreastOfthegalleon’scourse,whichwaswest-sou’-west。
  Thensaidthegalleon’scommandante,GeneralPedroSobriente(Thatwashisrankonlandandmain,AregularcustomofOldSpain),"Mypilotisdeadofscurvy:mayIaskthelongitude,time,andday?"
  Thefirsttwogivenandcompared;
  Thethird——thecommandantestared!
  "TheFIRSTofJune?Imakeitsecond。"
  Saidthestranger,"Thenyou’vewronglyreckoned;
  ImakeitFIRST:asyoucamethisway,Youshouldhavelost,d’yesee,aday;
  Lostaday,asplainlysee,Onthehundredandeightiethdegree。"
  "Lostaday?""Yes;ifnotrude,Whendidyoumakeeastlongitude?"
  "OntheninthofMay,——ourpatron’sday。"
  "Ontheninth?——YOUHADNONINTHOFMAY!
  Eighthandtenthwasthere;butstay"——
  Toolate;forthegalleonboreaway。
  Lostwasthedaytheyshouldhavekept,Lostunheededandlostunwept;
  Lostinawaythatmadesearchvain,Lostinatracklessandboundlessmain;
  LostlikethedayofJob’sawfulcurse,Inhisthirdchapter,thirdandfourthverse;
  Wreckedwastheirpatron’sonlyday,——
  WhatwouldtheholyFatherssay?
  SaidtheFrayAntonioEstavan,Thegalleon’schaplain,——alearnedman,——
  "Nothingislostthatyoucanregain;
  Andthewaytolookforathingisplain,Togowhereyoulostit,backagain。
  BackwithyourgalleontillyouseeThehundredandeightiethdegree。
  Waittilltherollingyeargoesround,Andtherewillthemissingdaybefound;
  Foryou’llfind,ifcomputation’strue,ThatsailingEASTwillgivetoyouNotonlyoneninthofMay,buttwo,——
  Oneforthegoodsaint’spresentcheer,Andoneforthedaywelostlastyear。"
  Backtothespotsailedthegalleon;
  Where,foratwelvemonth,offandonThehundredandeightiethdegreeSheroseandfellonatropicsea。
  Butlo!whenitcametotheninthofMay,AllofasuddenbecalmedshelayOnedegreefromthatfatalspot,Withoutthepowertomoveaknot;
  Andofcoursethemomentshelostherway,Gonewasherchancetosavethatday。
  Tocutalengtheningstoryshort,Sheneversavedit。MadethesportOfevilspiritsandbafflingwind,Shewasalwaysbeforeorjustbehind,Onedaytoosoonoronedaytoolate,Andthesun,meanwhile,wouldneverwait。
  ShehadtwoEighths,assheidlylay,TwoTenths,butneveraNINTHofMay;
  AndtheresheridesthroughtwohundredyearsOfdrearypenanceandanxiousfears;
  Yet,throughthegraceofthesaintsheserved,Captainandcrewarestillpreserved。
  Byacomputationthatstillholdsgood,MadebytheHolyBrotherhood,TheSanGregoriowillcrossthatlineInnineteenhundredandthirty-nine:
  JustthreehundredyearstoadayFromthetimeshelosttheninthofMay。
  AndthefolkinAcapulcotown,Overthewaterslookingdown,WillseeintheglowofthesettingsunThesailsofthemissinggalleon,AndtheroyalstandardofPhilipRey,Thegleamingmastandglisteningspar,Asshenearsthesurfoftheouterbar。
  ATeDeumsungonhercrowdeddeck,Anodorofspicealongtheshore,Acrash,acryfromashatteredwreck,——
  AndtheyearlygalleonsailsnomoreInoroutoftheoldenbay;
  Fortheblessedpatronhasfoundhisday。
  ——————-
  Suchisthelegend。Hearthistruth:
  Overthetracklesspast,somewhere,Liethelostdaysofourtropicyouth,Onlyregainedbyfaithandprayer,Onlyrecalledbyprayerandplaint:
  Eachlostdayhasitspatronsaint!
  *Seenotesatend。
  III。INDIALECT
  "JIM"
  Saythere!P’r’apsSomeonyouchapsMightknowJimWild?
  Well,——nooffense:
  Tharain’tnosenseIngittin’riled!
  JimwasmychumUpontheBar:
  That’swhyIcomeDownfromupyar,Lookin’forJim。
  Thankye,sir!YOU
  Ain’tofthatcrew,——
  Blestifyouare!
  Money?Notmuch:
  Thatain’tmykind;
  Iain’tnosuch。
  Rum?Idon’tmind,Seein’it’syou。
  Well,thisyerJim,——
  Didyouknowhim?
  Jes’’boutyoursize;
  Samekindofeyes;——
  Well,thatisstrange:
  Why,it’stwoyearSincehecamehere,Sick,forachange。
  Well,here’stous:
  Eh?
  Theh——-yousay!
  Dead?
  Thatlittlecuss?
  Whatmakesyoustar’,Youoverthar?
  Can’tamandrop’sglassinyershopButyoumustr’ar?
  Itwouldn’ttakeD————dmuchtobreakYouandyourbar。
  Dead!
  Poor——little——Jim!
  Why,tharwasme,Jones,andBobLee,HarryandBen,——
  No-accountmen:
  ThentotakeHIM!
  Well,thar——Good-by——
  Nomore,sir——I——
  Eh?
  What’sthatyousay?
  Why,dernit!——sho!——
  No?Yes!ByJoe!
  Sold!
  Sold!Why,youlimb,Youornery,DernedoldLong-leggedJim。
  CHIQUITA
  Beautiful!Sir,youmaysayso。Tharisn’thermatchinthecounty;
  Isthar,oldgal,——Chiquita,mydarling,mybeauty?
  Feelofthatneck,sir,——thar’svelvet!Whoa!steady,——ah,willyou,youvixen!
  Whoa!Isay。Jack,trotherout;letthegentlemanlookatherpaces。
  Morgan!——sheain’tnothingelse,andI’vegotthepaperstoproveit。
  SiredbyChippewaChief,andtwelvehundreddollarswon’tbuyher。
  BriggsofTuolumneownedher。DidyouknowBriggsofTuolumne?
  BustedhisselfinWhitePine,andblewouthisbrainsdownin’Frisco?
  Hedn’tnosavey,hedBriggs。Thar,Jack!that’lldo,——quitthatfoolin’!
  Nothin’towhatshekindo,whenshe’sgotherworkcutoutbeforeher。
  Hossesishosses,youknow,andlikewise,too,jockeysisjockeys:
  And’tain’tev’rymanascanrideasknowswhatahosshasgotinhim。
  KnowtheoldfordontheFork,thatnearlygotFlanigan’sleaders?
  Nastyindaylight,youbet,andamightyroughfordinlowwater!
  Well,itain’tsixweeksagothatmeandtheJedgeandhisneveyStruckforthatfordinthenight,intherain,andthewaterallroundus;
  Uptoourflanksinthegulch,andRattlesnakeCreekjusta-bilin’,Notaplankleftinthedam,andnaryabridgeontheriver。
  Ihadthegray,andtheJedgehadhisroan,andhisnevey,Chiquita;
  Andafterustrundledtherocksjestloosedfromthetopofthecanyon。
  Lickity,lickity,switch,wecametotheford,andChiquitaBuckledrightdowntoherwork,and,aforeIcouldyelltoherrider,Tookwaterjestattheford,andtherewastheJedgeandmestanding,Andtwelvehundreddollarsofhoss-fleshafloat,anda-driftin’tothunder!
  Wouldyeb’lieveit?Thatnight,thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita,Walkedherselfintoherstall,andstoodthere,allquietanddripping:
  Cleanasabeaverorrat,withnaryabuckleofharness,JustassheswamtheFork,——thathoss,that’arfilly,Chiquita。
  That’swhatIcallahoss!and——Whatdidyousay?——Oh,thenevey?
  Drownded,Ireckon,——leastways,heneverkembecktodenyit。
  Yeseethedernedfoolhadnoseat,yecouldn’thavemadehimarider;
  Andthen,yeknow,boyswillbeboys,andhosses——well,hossesishosses!
  DOW’SFLAT
  (1856)
  Dow’sFlat。That’sitsname;
  AndIreckonthatyouAreastranger?Thesame?
  Well,Ithoughtitwastrue,——
  Fortharisn’tamanontheriverascan’tspottheplaceatfirstview。
  ItwascalledafterDow,——
  Whichthesamewasanass,——
  AndastothehowThetthethingkemtopass,——
  Jesttieupyourhosstothatbuckeye,andsityedownhereinthegrass。
  Youseethis’yerDowHedtheworstkindofluck;
  HeslippedupsomehowOneachthingthethestruck。
  Why,efhe’dastraddledthetfence-rail,thedernedthing’dgetupandbuck。
  HeminedonthebarTillhecouldn’tpayrates;
  HewassmashedbyacarWhenhetunneledwithBates;
  AndrightonthetopofhistroublekemhiswifeandfivekidsfromtheStates。