The Coolidge examiner., 1938-06-16
CHAPTER XX-COntinued

- IL
Tomorrow night" he sibilated,
''on the beach at the labora-
tory camp. If it is clear we will be
making some last observations of
the stars will be waiting for
you. I viii manage it even if it is
not clear will wait. Can you
disguise yoursef?"
She caressed his shoulder with
feline gesture that made him shiver.
Fear not! 1 will be there. pre-
pared, starlight or fog!"
The Indian games and dancing
were over, but the program Fray
Lasuen had planned for the guests
was to continue with some of the
old Spanish dances. and another
group began tripping to the music
Of some guitars and fageolet. One
figure stood out among them.
Indizuela scorned the Indian
dances of her people, but had taken
pains to learn those Of the Span
iards, and while her face showed
stolid and Indifferent as she
danced, her slim body was alive
and graceful. supple as a sapling.
The others stopped dancing to ad-
mire her, and she stood alone. When
she had finished there was burst
Of applause led by the Governor.
"OIei" he called. Bravo. nina!
Viva la nina de los ojos negros!
Viva Ia morenaI" With a gallant
gesture he threw his hat at her
feet. She picked it up gravely. and
after a slight hesitation put it on her
head, did another impromptu pirou-
cite, and stood with her hands pro-
vocatively on her hips.
The Governor half rose to go to
her and claim the sombrero with
an embrace as was the custom. But
La Gobernadora, who was staring
at the performance with set jaw and
disapproving eyes, clutched him be-
fore he could rise.
Sit down." she commanded. do
not make a scene of yourself. Well
done, moza," she called in a high
voice. with a chill smile. We'll
done, indeed" The Governor sub
sided automatically before he could
protest, and the Indian girl, her
face aSmolder, carried the hat to
him, presenting it with a contemp-
tuous gesture.
La Perouse rose and stretched
himself delightedly.
'Magnifque!" he shouted across
the space to Fray Lasuen. who was
moving toward them with a pleased
smile. lone Of the most interest
Ing performances have ever seen!
These Indians. whom l had thought
so crude, so stupid, can really do
things, can they not?"
"Ah, Senor el Conde," replied the
priest, you must not underestimate
my poor children. Perhaps you
would like to come through the es
tablishmeDt again, and see what
they have done?" he invited eager
ly.
La Perouse protested hastily.
Mon, non, mon pere. have al
ready carefully examined the Mis-
sion San Carlos, you will remem-
Der. and have made notes about it
all, and about you. Perhaps all Eu
: rope will some day read of this lit
tie place, and of your good works.
Now. / am leaving you souvenir of
our visit. 1t Is a mill. hand mill
upon which to grind barley. There
by one woman can do the work OF
many, instead Of grinding the meal
by hand on stones as I have seen
them do here. will have it sent
over tomorrow"
Lasuen began an exclamation Of
pleasure and gratitude. And l
am leaving something else, auSsi,
something for you. and for my host,
his Excellency, the Gouverneur.
Perhaps l am being presumptuous
in thinking there is anything you
need in this California, and l have
been wondering what it could be
that l might leave as gift, and to
insure the fact that you, perhaps,
will not forget your French broth
ers."
He paused and looked about him,
beaming.
''It is two sacks of potatoes" he
announced. II noticed that you
have none, either that you have
planted or that grow wild. And
these we have brought from South
America. So will leave one sack
with you, Pere Lasuen, for your
mission garden, and one for you,
Monsieur lie Gouverneur, for that
garden of yours Of which you are
so justly proud!"
After the Governor and his party
had ridden away from the mission.
when the Indians had retired for
the night, Fray Lasuen sat in his
cell and wrote carefully in his jour-
nal:
This has been indeed day Of
historical importance. This day the
potato has been introduced into Cal
ifornia."
CHAPTER XXI