She had gone only a few yards when she heard a sudden, sharp
whistling in the air near her. Startled, she glanced quickly to one
side, and clutched the baby more closely to her - too late; she saw not
the arrow, such was its velocity, but felt the baby give one spasmodic
bound. She flew along the road, the child screaming as she ran. As she
neared the mission, and the houses clustered around it, the inmates
started from their various occupations and gazed in astonishment at
Juana as she sped by, wild-eyed, her hair streaming in the wind.
Father Zalvidea had passed the morning in reading the letters Diego had
brought to him the night before, and meditating gloomily on the prospect
confronting the missions. He did not fear any particular trouble at San
Gabriel, but the news he had had from some of the northern
establishments was not reassuring; and the missions were so closely
united in one common bond, that what was an injury to one was an injury
to all. After reading and re-reading the letters, he put them away, and
betook himself to his garden for a little pasear before his midday meal.
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