On this the father smiled and answered, that no earthly consideration would induce his tame Indians to fight; it was so much easier to die.

He could not even persuade the _mestizoes_ to migrate to a safer locality.

It was easier to be robbed of their children occasionally than to move their goods and chattels and find another home.
I asked Fray Ignacio whether he thought these robbers of white children were likely to pay him a visit soon.
"I am afraid they are," he said.

"It is nearly two years since their last visit, and they only come in summer.

Why ?" "I have a curiosity to see these; and I think I could save the children and give these wild fellows such a lesson that they would trouble you no more--at any rate for a long time to come." "I should be inexpressibly grateful.