However, they were not molested, and reached the mission, lying
on their way, as the last bit of sunset color faded away on the horizon.
They delayed only long enough to relate the circumstance of the capture,
and to get two of the soldiers, acting as guard at the mission, to
accompany them to the presidio. Pomponio did not see the Father, who was
engaged with the sick in the hospital, and he was glad. After a stop, of
a few minutes, they again took up their march, and reached the presidio
a little later. Here the commandant of the garrison, after having heard
the tale of the leader, and taken a look at Pomponio, ordered him to be
chained to the wall in a room of the prison. This was done. The chains
were fastened around his ankles; his arms were unbound, and he was left
to solitude and darkness.
Poor savage captive! Alone, abandoned, and chained to the wall of the
little cell he was in, so closely that he could barely reach the low,
rough bench on which to sit. But Pomponio could have borne his
imprisonment patiently, even cheerfully, had the rebellion only taken
place, successfully or not.
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