Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/100

78 his favourite child. The deprivation seemed to change his very nature, and to make him like the ravenous beasts. Arming himself, and pressing every available person and weapon into his service, he once more set out upon their track. The encounter that ensued was shorty fierce and decisive; and it ended in the holy father recovering his family and stock: with the exception of his favourite child who had been killed by an old Indian in revenge for the loss of his son. Three of our people were wounded in addition; many of the offending savages were slain, and seven of them were captured.

"These the padre ruthlessly ordered to be shot, and the command was carried into effect—for it was one of the things that were to be. On his return, he made arrangements for disposing of his stock and farm and immediate quitted the district, taking up his residence in the capital. He hired a house in the Plaza Mayor, where for many years—so changed had he become—he led the life of a tyrant to his family. He had always disliked his female companion since she had been carried off by the Indians; and the distaste had extended to her children, now that his favourite boy was