The Coolidge examiner., 1938-03-17

pomegranateS. peaches and dates
beneath the clashing fronds of 81
ant palms.
There was a halt at Santa Rosalia
de Mulege, on the Vermillion sea,
where there was another old stone
mission and fruitful gardens. From
there the cavalcade travelled over a
horrible wilderness well-named Tt
ezra del Inferno, Hell country.
which quaked constantly as they
traversed its barrenneSs.
BY a broad fiat canine. built
many years before by Jesuit mis-
sionaries who had urged hundreds
Of Indian neophytes to the colossal
task by flogging them when they
Jagged, they travelled to the Mission
San Ignacio, which stood in a fertile
arroyo that opened in a barren
mesa.
Leaving there with water-Skins
and casks bullying for the desert
travel ahead. they travelled north
ward, skirting the eastern edge Of
the Desert of Vizcaino. a treacher-
| GUS terrain.
AT Mission Santa Gertrudis, in a
great mountain-girt amphItheater.
all gave thanks that they had ar
rived in safety. though their water
skins were lean and dry.
At Santa Gertrudis, Eulalia heard
first rumors of the approach Of her
husband. Indians coming from the
north reported fires that burned by
night, and party of horsemen who
Travelled swiftly by day.
La Gobernadora still rode silent
ly, uncomplainingly. 1t was only
her pride that kept her from fling
ing herself from her horse on to the
ground, and screaming until the
tension that was holding her culver
ing nerves shattered in a satisfying
hysteria. At night, in her tent or
by the campfire, she was subject to
changing moods; sometimes gloomy.
silent, brooding, sometimes bright
with febrile gaiety.
Angustias was watching her mis-
tress doubtfully, gauging her tenn
per. her experienced weather eye
reading infallible signs that her la
dy's nerves were frayed to a break
ing point, and that hurricane was
due to break.
If she can only wait until we
meet Don Pedro" she prayed. "She
needs her husband at a time like
this"
The hurricane arrived before the
Governor.
One evening. just before nightfan,
the storm broke.
They had been travelling for days
among the lofty CalmalIi mountains.
that stretch along the waist, or mar
rowest part of the peninsula.
Eulalia. shivering as night came
on, for now the nights were as cold
as the days were hot, rode beside
little Pedro. Behind came Angus
tias, cuddling her monkey as they
both dozed. At the head of the van
rode the Captain. Little Pedro
leaned closer to his mother and
whispered.
Eulalia frowned. ION my soul,
child! We can not stop now! Con-
troll yourself"
But the child would not be con-
trolled. He stopped his burro,
threw the reins toward Angustias,
and disappeared in the brush.
Angustias, startled from her nap,
made a lunge at the reins, missed
them and brought her hand sharply
against Chichi's face. The terrified
monkey, in turn awakened rudely
from his little snoozing, leaped
straight for Pedro's burro, and the
burro bolted off the trail
"Chichi!" screamed Angustias,
trying to get from her clumsy side
saddle. ''Chichil Babyl"
But the little burro and his detest-
ed frightened burden went careen-
ing away in the dusk
Captain Canete wheeled TO Eula-
las side, just as Angustias slipped
on to the dusty trail. screaming and
crying.
MY Lady," exclaimed the Capt.
tan. What is the matter?"
But Eulalia only pointed after her
fleeing companion.