"You can return with the messenger. I shall give him full instructions.
With hard riding you can reach there in three days. Do you think you can
stand it? I would not ask it did not they need you so badly - just as
soon as you can get there."

"Do not think of me, Father. I shall not fail."

After a few more words Apolinaria left the mission, and returning to the
town, made preparations for her absence, which bade fair to be a
prolonged one. Bitter regrets were felt and expressed by the people,
some going so far as to mutter against the priest for sending her, for
"does not Apolinaria belong to us, and why should we, how can we, spare
her to go so far away for a lot of sick Indians?"

The next morning, an hour before the sun was up, Father Amestoy and the
messenger, each with a horse from which they had dismounted, stood at
Apolinaria's door. In a moment Apolinaria came out of the little adobe
house which had been her abode since leaving the Carrillos, bearing a
small bundle in her arms. Kneeling before the Father, he gave her his
blessing, and then asked her abruptly if she was ready to start.

"Yes, Father, I am quite prepared."

"Then you must be off at once," he replied. "I have given the messenger
instructions for your journey. You have swift horses. If possible, get
to San Fernando to-night; that is the longest day's ride you will have,
but if too much for you, or if you be delayed on the way, stop at some
rancho this side for the night. In that case your ride to-morrow will be
longer, for you ought to get to Mission San Juan by tomorrow night; from