Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/474

454 day, Villapando is visited by a boy who, as Cogolludo relates, came to him to be catechised. "Father," said the child, "may I ask you a question?" "Ask it, my son," answered the padre. "Tell me, then, whether it is better to live or to die?" "To live," responded the priest; "for life is our natural state, while death is inherited by sin." "Then, if you want to live, father," said the boy, "you had better go hence, for this very night our caciques have determined to burn you in the church if you remain there." "Our lives are in God's hands," calmly rejoins the padre, and dismissing him with his blessing, bids him return the following day. Villapando then informs his colleague of the danger. There is no escape for them, and they can only resolve to stand firm in the hour of trial. In this mood they repair to the shrine, and there spend the evening in prayer.

Toward midnight the distant roar of an approaching multitude is heard. Looking from one of the windows the padres see the Indians coming with lighted torches. They cling to the foot of the cross and pray for strength. Soon the church is surrounded, and yells and foul 1mprecations are heard, with threats to burn the building. Their flaming brands light up the structure, and they behold the two figures bowed before the cross in supplication. An hour passes by; and as though held back by some unseen influence, the natives forbear to harm the missionaries. At length they withdraw, purposing to return the following day and fulfil their menace. The priests remain all night at their devotions, and when at dawn a streak of pale light glances athwart the sacred effigy on the cross, they are still kneeling in prayer to Saint Michael.

But what noise is that which breaks on the still morning air, as the two fathers are repeating their matins, expecting every moment the call of martyrdom? Now their time has come, and clinging yet closer to the crucifix, they offer up one last supplication to the virgin, and exhort each other to bear