Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-11
A MONTERREY PASTORAL.
Overland Monthly

Overland Monthly
Father uaspard, was selected by the
Father Superior at Monterey to carry
a message to the Mission San Juan. forty
miles away. He was offered horse TO
ride. but refused II. and started on foot
II was May. the most delightful month
In the year, and Father Gaspard, free
from the restraint OF the mission. be-
guIled the way by singing and solIloquiz-
ing something after this wise:
"rndeed no; feel far safer on my own
legs than on the back OF an implsh bronco
that plants his four feet all together
in one small spot and humps his BACK
like a fend incarnate. Did not | myself
see the Father Superiors face blaneh
when he mounted him TO ride down the
coast"
Father Gaspard was strong and In
good health, barring threatened OBESITY
and a shortness Of leg, but with the aid
Of a stout oaken stan he made good
progress. A light rejection at midday
ana a short siesta so refreshed him that
he almost seemed to trot, so fast did the
ups and downs OF the mountain trail
speed under his feet.
He passed the night with herdsman,
who shared with him his simple fare,
and In the morning. after giving the man
his blessing, proceeded on his way through
the mountain pass 10 the edge OF the
Salinas river. Tucking his gown around
his waist, and carrying his sandals In
his hand, he forded the stream In shall
low place. mounted the bank, and drew
long breaths Of delight at the view be-
fore him.
otrctcba1 Ian IN
the south, where the mountains seemed
to meet the sand dunes separating II from
the sea on the west. There were no land
marks OF any kind. not a tree. shrub, or
rock-only an unbroken prairie OF ver-
dure and flowers. azure sky overhead,
ard gentle breeze moving the grass.
The good father fastened on. Well he
knew that later in the day these great
Salinas plainE were the very nozzle of
the bellows through which the trade
winds swept, and toward evening ter
ron to travellers from the fog that rolled
in from the sea, enveloping. drenching,
and bswildering them so II was folly
TO continue their Journey. They must stop
where they were until the next morn
ing. when the welcome trade winds once
more arose and drove the fog away In
fantastic clouds OVER the mountains.
IL was the good priests intention to
cross the plains and reach the ranch OF
Don Manuel, on the Gabilen, where he
would pass the night, sure OF kindly
welcome and good-cheer. But about noon,
suffering from heat, fatigue, and the
pangs OF hunger, he bethought himself
OF a shepherd who tended the sheep OF
Don Manuel, with whom ne had stopped
once or twice when overtaken by the
fog, and who had the knack Of frying
frijoles most deliclously.
Yes. there TO the right was the hut,
and a short distance away. the flock. so
the priest turned from his course. and
soon reached tn shepherds hut. He sat
down on a bench by The door until he
recovered his breath. Then, putting his
hands TO his mouth called loudly: Pc
dro. Oh Pedro,"
The sheep were huddled together in
groups, heads TO the ground, their woolly
backs resisting the heat OF the sun. Al
HIS CALL some lifted their heads, but the
shepherd did not rise from his sleep on
the ground. as Father Gaspard expected.
Instead. the black head OF shepherd
dog lifted itself on the further side OF
the flock. Then, circllng around II, ne
came bounding and leaping toward the
priest. on reaching him he rar around
and around barking, jumping, ana trying
to lick his face.
Father Gaspard laughed, and said: rs
Il thou. Domingo? This Is a cordial greet
ing. but where is thy master PEDRO is
the sluggard asleep IN the grass?
The dog showed all his teeth, and benz
himself almost double. first one side, then
the other, in the violent waSs OF his tail
He ran a little way. then lay down anc
rested his head on his paws an instant
then ran up TO the priest again, emit
ting sharp, quick yeips. He repeated
this again and again. but as the priest
only laughed. the dog took hold OF his
gown with his teeth. and, backing of
tried to pull him along.
"Oh, well, then; come" said the priest
ndugently. and followed the dog, who
trotted toward a clump OF tail grass, look
ing back every few steps 10 see II Father
Gaspard was close behind.
rs il a fox-hole thou wouldst show me-
or. only squirTers?, Oh. IL is the lazN
shepherd. Awake, Pedro" said the
priest, reaching down to shake the pros
trate form, but he started back, for +
was not that of sleeping man, but q
dead one.
How is this?" cried Father Gaspard. IL
distress. Pedro dead! and OF what
ailmentY'
He turned the body over. Thou has
lain here many days, my poor Pedro. Al
ready the fog and sun nave rotted thy
garments and disfigured thy face. Thot
| art offensive, and must be buried. Anc
who has guarded the 1ock?"
He looked at the dos, who wagget
| his tail
Thou. Domingol BY myself? Truly
thou art noble fellow. and shalt have
| thy reward. The man must be buried a.
| least temporarily
81 -. ffg.r a.
| all directions. No one was 10 be seen
no traveller or vaquero that could b'
| called TO help.
He went back 10 the hut and opened
| the door. 1t was in good order, show
| ing that the shepherd had not lain there
sick. Looking around, he found a small
| spade. and took a blanket. which wa
| folded on pile Of dry grass. to wrap tn
| body in. Then he went back to the deat
man.
1t was no easy task to dig the grave
| alone and get the body in IL. but he wen
bravely to work, and, cheered by an oc
casional visit from the dog by the tim'
| the first harbinger OF the fog-in the form
| of a neecy mist-loated over the san'
| dunes II was accomplished.
Father Gaspard went back 10 the hut
worn and weary. indeed. AMI cooked
some fritoles. and found some meal. Of
| which he made cake and baked II in the
ashes Of his fire. He offered some to tbs
dog, who only shifted at ii. and would not
| eat. The priest. seated at the door Of
| the hut. saw Domingo round up the sheer
and head them toward the corral There
| were many hundreds. and he drove then
carefully and without haste safely inside
all but one lagGard. a half-groyn lamb