But I shall let you do as you like. You have been a good servant
to me, Diego, and I will not withhold from you your reward."
Diego had selected a piece of ground of about ten acres, situated north
of the mission, and near the foot-hills leading up to a ca?–on of the San
Gabriel Mountains. A line of shrubs and small trees cut diagonally
across the land, marking the course of a rivulet, which, not a half-mile
farther, lost itself in the light, dry sand of the plain. This tiny
stream would suffice for irrigation, and it was the particular feature
that had decided Diego to choose this place. He at once set about
clearing the land and building the house. With the Father's permission
for everything needed, he soon had a number of neophytes busily at work
making adobes, and building the walls under his supervision. Houses were
quickly built in Nueva California in those days. They were but plain,
simple structures at best, and, at the missions, an unlimited number of
workmen took only a few days to finish one.
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