University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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the sacrifice. Zaucappi and the chief marched ahead of the tribe. There was little to interrupt the thoug-hts of the mart T. When they reached the altar, Zaucappi and the chief climbed the steps of the g reat stone wall. The people stood in rapt attention, intently watching- their movements. Pachi raised the g-littering- knife. In an instant, Zaucappi ' s heart was no long-er his, and Pachi held it up, crying-, Thanks, thanks to thee, Zalti. One day, not very lon after ' the sacred offering-, Pachi sat under a tree meditating- on the future of his people. About dusk, just as the sun had hidden itself behind the g-reen hills, and the shades of evening fell gentl} upon the smooth g-rass, a form, clad in white, 3-et covered with orna- ments of many hues, appeared before the chief. It floated g-ently around the tree. Presently, it stood before Pachi, g-azed at him pitifully, and said, Great chief, th}- work is done. He who shall carr} m}- beads, shall henceforth lead your men. Farewell, Pachi. Just as Pachi was about to answer, the form dropping a bead into his hand, faded away into darkness. Can it be a dream? thought Pachi, despairingl3 Can the gods be angry with me ? The chief visited this tree every da} ' . It may have been because he delighted in the strength and beauty of the large branches with their green covering. One evening, his thoughts wandered away to the beautiful form he had seen, not many daj s before. As he gazed far toward the hills, he saw clouds of dust rolling toward him. Then the wonderful form again appeared. It flitted before him like a bird, say- ing, Match your bead, and they will care for 3 ' ou. Ah, can it be that in those clouds of dust I see the ruin that is coming upon me? cried Pachi. Why should I match this bead? Oh, Zalti, I shall trust in thee. The dust rolled nearer and nearer, and Pachi became convinced that it was caused by holy men, as the Indians called the priests. This Indian tribe had never really come in contact with missionaries, but they had heard from their ancestors so many startling tales about them, that they resented all thoug-hts of becominof friendlv with them.

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An Indian Version of the founding of San Gabriel Mission. ONG ago, in place of the massive and imposing- house of worship, known as the San Gabriel Mission, stood a simple Indian altar which ma}- be remembered because of the many interestin j events which occured there. In those days, white men were scarcely ever seen in Cali- fornia, and so it happened that this part of the country was inhabited b} ' an Indian tribe led b} ' a chief called Pachi. They lived very simply, often feasting- on the flesh of animals which may have fallen in their reach. They wore colored beads around their necks, ankles and wrists ; feathers on their heads, and skin bands, holding- their weapons around their waists. Their worship was amusing- and crude.. It was the cus- tom to assemble at the altar every four weeks. One day the men and women met to dance around the sacred wall. They jumped and sang-, occasionally playing on their rude instru- ments. Sometimes part of the tribe clapped their hands at regular intervels, thus keeping time for the rest. After a while, Pachi, the chief, g-ave the command, ' ' Halt! Althoug-h their spirits had become g-reatly elated, every one, at his chief ' s word, stood in silence. They knew that the hour was coming for Zalti ' s offering to be chosen. Pachi g-azed all around him. He hesitated a moment and looking at one whom he knew possessed marked intellig-ence, a manly spirit, and wlio was capable of endurance, he selected Zau- cappi. Come to the center, Zaucappi, he said. You shall be our offering- to Zalti, the highest. You shall have all the en- jcn-ments of life and your wishes fulfilled, but in six months from this day, you shall be sacrificed. The Indians ag-ain beg-an their rejoicing. Zaucappi, proud because of the honors bestowed upon him, and ig-noring the darker side, lig-ht-heartedly joined in the merry sport. Clank, went their ornaments and charms, and away they yelled, sing-ing- g-lory to their Zalti, and praise to their com- rade. The months soon passed, and at last came the hour of

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The priests formed their camp not far from the tribe. They often met the Indians and spoke to them kindly, 3-et a cong-enial spirit could not just then grow in the savag-e heart. A few morning s after their arrival, the fathers celebrated mass, for the first time, in the camp. Their altar was placed in the shade of a great oak, and consisted of a larg-e g-reen tree trunk upon which stood a crucifix and several bunches of passion flowers. The Indians had risen very early that morning , in the hope of overcoming- their enemies. The fathers were cele- brating- the holy sacrifice. Pachi and his men had encircled the camp, but their hearts which an hour before had burned with a threatening- spirit, were now calm, subdued by the heavenly song- and elaborate worship of these white men. At the close of the service, as they were sing-ing- Ave Maria one of the fathers rose, drew a curtain aside, and a picture of the Virg-in Mary appeared before the g-azers ' eyes. She was so compassionately beautiful, so full of love and purity, and the song- offered to her was so divinel}- sweet, that even the savag-e hearts were overcome b ' this heavenly- incense. Pachi was truly overcome, both physically and mentally. He rose, and fell, for he could no long-er stand. Holding- out the bead which he deemed so precious, he said to Valle, a dear companion, Match the bead, and obe -. I will, my chief, answered Valle. Pachi ' s head fell forward on his breast. His e3 ' es were closed. He had passed on unto the land of rest. Their chief had been a faithful master throug-hout his life, and now, his men, left under Valle, obeyed his word. The fathers were amazed at this scene. Now they saw an oppor- tunity for winning- these men. By means of g-ifts, such as g-org-eous heads, and weapons, tog-ether with kind words and acts, this Indian tribe at once became the father ' s consolation. It was not long- before the Indians were eng-ag-ed in build- ing- the g-reat church which now stands in place of the old sacred altar. Many of the subjects were seen day after day, g-oing- and coming-, to and from the mountains hauling- g-reat pine log-s. In the open carts, they broug-ht down hug-e rocks. A long- time passed before the completion of the picturesque