At four oclock they were on the road, Jacinto
riding the mule thatcarried the blankets. They actually lived upon their Rock; were
born upon itand died upon it.
The new army mule is heavier, andwill do for this
journey. Clara,Jacintos wife, smiled at the priest as he entered. What needhad there
ever been for this great church at Ácoma?
Going through the silent pueblo to Jacintos door,
the Bishop wokehim and asked him to make a fire. The new army mule is heavier,
andwill do for this journey.
They suggested two great stone lips,slightly parted
and thrust outward. Christ Himself had used that comparison for thedisciple to whom
He gave the keys of His Church. They looked likegreat artificial plants, made of
shining silk. So did they rid their rock of their tyrant, whom on the whole theyhad
liked very well. The customaryomission, therefore, seemed to be a matter of taste,
not ignorance. Jacinto threw away the end of his cornhusk cigarette and againspoke
without being addressed.
Jacinto, whenquestioned, said sadly that the baby
was ailing. After midnighthis body became more and more chilled and cramped. They
came upon the day, four of them, for there were twopriests at Zuñi.
Perhaps they are, said the Bishop with a sigh. He
didnt thinkit polite, and he believed it to be useless. What needhad there ever been
for this great church at Ácoma? They suggested two great stone lips,slightly parted
and thrust outward.
Jacinto was forstarting without breakfast, but
Father Latour made him sit down andshare his loaf. Then, by his report, there were
sixthousand souls in the Indian town. He felt, indeed, very remorseful and
uncomfortable,also indignant with his departed guests.
Friar Baltazar was oneof the most ambitious and
exacting.
Smallpox and measleshad taken heavy toll here time
and again.
The Bishop read his breviary by the fire-light for
an hour.
Bread is never too plenty in Indian
households.
He was going direct to the pueblo of Pecos,where he
would pick up Jacinto.
Baltazar was left alone with the consequences of
his haste. Certainly, the tribe was decreasing everyyear. Hedropped the platter,
staggered a few steps, and fell down.