age of Father Abella relaxed.

"It is a common sight, Excellency," he said. "We
are thankful to have a younger friar for such
fatiguing work. Many a time have I belabored
stubborn mules and bestrode bucking mustangs
while searching for one of these ungrateful but no
doubt chosen creatures. It is the will of God, and
we make no complaint; but we are very willing,
Father Landaeta and I, that youth should cool its
ardor in so certain a fashion while we attend to the
more reasonable duties at home."

They were dismounted at the door of the church.
The horses were led off by waiting Indians. The
soldiers on guard saluted and stepped aside, and
the party entered. Two priests in handsome vest-
ments stood before the altar, but the long dim nave
was empty. The Russians had been told that a
mass would be said in their honor, and they
marched down the church and bent their knees
with as much ceremony as had they been of the
faith of their hosts. When the short mass was
over, Rezanov bethought himself of Concha's re-
quest, and whispering its purport to Father Abella
was led to a double iron hoop stuck with tallow dips
in various stages of petition. Rezanov lit a candle
and fastened it in an empty socket. Then with a
whimsical twist of his mouth he lit and adjusted
another.