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

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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

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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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structure, but when it was finished the Indians enjo3-ed this holy place more than any other. It was here that they were g-iven Christian names; names of saints whose wonderful stor- ies, they were told. They became so extremely interested in the lives of these great men and women, that they even wished to name the bells after them. Two of the bells were g-iven particularly beautiful ones. One, which still hang-s above all, was to be rung in the morning, as its sweet tones suggested the delicate pleasures and delights of the opening of the da} ' . This was Ave Maria, after Virgin Mary. The other, in memor} ' of the angels, was the angelus bell, which called all tog ether, to thank God for the day ' s blessing ' s. Among the many church celebrations, that of H0I3 ' Week seemed to be the most interesting. This festivity occupied three days, and represented the sufferings and glory of Christ. During this celebration, on the evening of the third day, while the congregation knelt in pra -er, just as the evening bell was tolling, Valle su ddenly saw away in a corner, a dim light. He rose quietly towards it. The light still shone. Ah, some- thing is here. Can it be the fathers ' riches that are buried here? This curious feeling at once set him to work. He dug and dug. Midnight was fast approaching. At the toll of this lonely hour, when all is still, and ghost forms seem to dance about, Valle discovered something. Oh a bunch of beads. What can they mean, he cried. Putting his hand in his pocket, he found that wonderful bead. He looked at it. It was precisely like these. We are saved, he thought. My master ' s wish is fulfilled. Still stands the quaint old church, with the lofty pillars, gray with age ; yet, it firmly stands commanding that pic- turesque valley of San Gabriel. LuPE Lopez.