The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-10-20

he discovered Don Diego securely bound
and unable to stir, and for the first time
began to realize the situation and become
aware of the treachery OF the Indian la-
lorers The friar was not appalled, by
any means lie had riskcd his life too
often among them, and stood ready at any
time to surrender his being in this world
for the good of his church. lie held up
his crucfx before them, but they paid no
heed to it, and continued on with their
heathenish rites. Suddenly two of the
most powerful savages seized the friar and
holding him fast by both arms, compelled
him to join the dance with them, To
this degradation ho submitted as well as
he could though he made frequent efforts
to release himself AS they circled
around the fire they became more and
more excited, and uttered wild yels and
piercing shrieks.
All this time Don Diego was lying on
HE side unable to stir, and filled with
the most gloomy apprehensions. lie
knew full well what the Indians were ca.
pablc of doing, and looked forward to the
: worst. lie had been seized by his own
Indians while asleep, and before he had
time to realize fully what was going on,
was bound by them. The number of In.
dians had increased considerably, and it
was evident that some had come in from
the mountains and joined those who had
been at work on the farm
Suddenly the dancing ceased. and the
savages seized Friar Alfonso, tied him Sc.
curely with lariat, and then carried him
into a room in the front part of the house
where they left him lying on the floor.
the door was closed, and he remained in
darkness. He fully believed they intend.
cd to murder Don Diego, hut from their
actions,t thought they would do him. (Friar
Alfonso,) no further harm They had
used no threats toward him. nor had they
been violent when they tied the ropes
around his hands and feet
Don Diego had been noted for his kidd.
ness to his Indian laborers, which is more
than could be said of many Of the Span.
iards, and the iriar could not understand
what had occasioned this sudden outburst
lie thought 1t might be a day devoted to
some OF their idols or superstitons and
that they had taken this method Of cele.
brating it lie feared the wors: conse.
quences, and really felt more for Don
Diego than he did for himself. Being
left alone, he said his prayers over and
over again, and prepared to meet death
az became pious priest and martyr for
the church. He reflected that he was
not the first who had freely offered his
4, life for his religion, and felt strong when
he brought to mind the names OF those
, who had fallen in the good cause lie
had given up everything he had for the
, religion he believed in, except his life, and
the time was come when he was ready
, even to surrender that too.
rs he reflected further upon the situa.
, ton. he not only determined to save his
| own liie, but that Of Don Diego as well
After Il time he succeeded IN freeing hi.
arms, and then the work Of untying the
e rope around his feet was easily pccom.
plished. He groped his way to the door
o in front, unbarred it. and was soon out
n side There were no Spanish settler:
O near, and he scarcely knew what TO do
n now he had gained his liberty. Mos
I men under the circumstances, would have
e been g lad enough to escaped with thci
Z, own lives, without caring for the lives o
n others, but this was not the case will
. Friar Alfonso, whose only life seemed II
. be for the life OF Don Diego.
He soon found the road or trail, au,
= commenced walking southwark as iust a
he could, and by SO doing he thought HI
|. would be more likely to meet party o
If friends than if he travelled nOrthward
@ lie had walked but short distance wheI
c be 'ancied he heard the sound of horses
r feet approaching him. lie stopped an
ls listened, and feeling of gladness cam
d over him, when he felt that party O
horsemen was moving toward him. II
{ thought they could scarcely be Indians a
;. hey seldom travel by night. bnt was b
t. no means sure OF this, and in order t
ID shield him sell, stepped out from the roa
as and crouched behind bush While i
ir this position he heard the sound Of voice
g and was soon able to hear the horseme
ID conversing IN Spanish As they came u
ct he hailed them and requested them
ID halt. They appeared greatly astonishe
e. at meeting a man in the road at that tin
is of night, and hastily inquired who /
ut was, lie told them he was the Fria
nc Alfonso, and detailed as soon as he coul
II, tho outrage that had taken place at th
lg house Of Don Diego. lie was acquainte
OF with almost every white person in th
to part of California, but could not reco
ne nize single person in the calvacad
nd From their speech however he knew th
n they were party of gentlemen, and kne
n also tha, they were well armed. II
nd leader of the party told Friar Alfonso
at lead the way and he would see VIII
,c could br done toward the release of d,
yet Diego. Ike distance was short, aud
ct. they neaaed the house they could hear t
nd Indians singing louder than ever +
id, great door leading to the courtyard "
Of shut and securely barred On the insiC
I'd, and the friar feared if they attempted
est force it, the Indians would kill their pr
rl oner before they could releasa him.
nd therefore told the leader-who had Civ
ise his name as Don Romulo-that if
,re would let part OF his men dismoun:,
nd could lead them through the door he h
to left open. directly into the court .yal
We. The Indians were making so much no
re- inside that they had not heard the {
the proach OF the horsemen, and twelve
en- the Spanish gentlemen, having dismou
lgb ed in front of the door, silently follow
Sn tho lriar. He led them into the rot
u.s. and through the house, and before the
in dinns were well aware of il. the twel
an stood before them with their swol
.o>t drawn. Upon discovering their preseI
lost the Indians were seized with a sudd
uu. panic and their singing instantly ceas
uld Some endcavored to escape through
get main door Of the courtyard, but