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Without doubting the substantial truth of his guest's story； the
good Padre Esteban was not unwilling to have it corroborated by
such details as he thought he could collect among the Excelsior's
passengers。 His own experience in the confessional had taught him
the unreliability of human evidence； and the vagaries of both
conscientious and unconscious suppression。 That a young； good…
looking； and accomplished caballero should have been the victim of
not one； but even many； erotic episodes； did not strike the holy
father as being peculiar； but that he should have been brought by a
solitary unfortunate attachment to despair and renunciation of the
world appeared to him marvelous。 He was not unfamiliar with the
remorse of certain gallants for peccadillos with other men's wives；
but this Americano's self…abasement for the sins of his own wife
as he foolishly claimed her to bewhom he hated and despised；
struck Father Esteban as a miracle open to suspicion。 Was there
anything else in these somewhat commonplace details of vulgar and
low intrigue than what he had told the priest？ Were all these
Americano husbands as sensitive and as gloomily self…sacrificing
and expiating？ It did not appear so from the manners and customs
of the others；from those easy matrons whose complacent husbands
had abandoned them to the long companionship of youthful cavaliers
on adventurous voyages； from those audacious virgins； who had the
freedom of married women。 Surely； this was not a pious and
sensitive race； passionately devoted to their domestic affections！
The young stranger must be either deceiving himor an exception to
his countrymen！
And if he was that exceptionwhat then？ An idea which had sprung
up in Father Esteban's fancy that morning now took possession of it
with the tenacity of a growth on fertile virgin soil。 The good
Father had been devoted to the conversion of the heathen with the
fervor of a one…ideaed man。 But his successes had been among the
Indiansa guileless； harmless race； who too often confounded the
practical benefits of civilization with the abstract benefits of
the Church； and their instruction had been simple and coercive。
There had been no necessity for argument or controversy； the worthy
priest's skill in polemical warfare and disputation had never been
brought into play； the Comandante and Alcalde were as punctiliously
orthodox as himself； and the small traders and artisans were
hopelessly docile and submissive。 The march of science； which had
been stopped by the local fogs of Todos Santos some fifty years；
had not disturbed the simple Aesculapius of the province with
heterodox theories： he still purged and bled like Sangrado； and met
the priest at the deathbed of his victims with a pious satisfaction
that had no trace of skeptical contention。 In fact； the gentle
Mission of Todos Santos had hitherto presented no field for the
good Father's exalted ambition； nor the display of his powers as a
zealot。 And here was a splendid opportunity。
The conversion of this dark； impulsive； hysterical stranger would
be a gain to the fold； and a triumph worthy of his steel。 More
than that； if he had judged correctly of this young man's mind and
temperament； they seemed to contain those elements of courage and
sacrificial devotion that indicated the missionary priesthood。
With such a subaltern； what might not he； Father Esteban；
accomplish！ Looking further into the future； what a glorious
successor might be left to his unfinished work on Todos Santos！
Buried in these reflections； Padre Esteban sauntered leisurely up
the garden； that gradually ascended the slight elevation on which
the greater part of the pueblo was built。 Through a low gateway in
the wall he passed on to the crest of the one straggling street of
Todos Santos。 On either side of him were ranged the low one…
storied； deep…windowed adobe fondas and artisans' dwellings； with
low…pitched roofs of dull red pipe…like tiles。 Absorbed in his
fanciful dreams； he did not at first notice that those dwellings
appeared deserted； and that even the Posada opposite him； whose
courtyard was usually filled with lounging muleteers； was empty and
abandoned。 Looking down the street towards the plaza； he became
presently aware of some undefined stirring in the peaceful hamlet。
There was an unusual throng in the square； and afar on that placid
surface of the bay from which the fog had lifted； the two or three
fishing…boats of Todos Santos were vaguely pulling。 But the
strange ship was gone。
A feeling of intense relief and satisfaction followed。 Father
Esteban pulled out his snuff…box and took a long and complacent
pinch。 But his relief was quickly changed to consternation as an
armed cavalcade rapidly wheeled out of the plaza and cantered
towards him； with the unmistakable spectacle of the male passengers
of the Excelsior riding two and two； and guarded by double files of
dragoons on each side。
At a sign from the priest the subaltern reined in his mustang；
halted the convoy； and saluted respectfully； to the astonishment of
the prisoners。 The clerical authority of Todos Santos evidently
dominated the military。 Renewed hope sprang up in the hearts of
the Excelsior party。
〃What have we here？〃 asked Padre Esteban。
〃A revolution； your Reverence； among the Americanos； with robbery
of the Presidio saluting…gun； a grave affair。 Your Reverence has
been sent for by the Comandante。 I am taking these men to San
Antonio to await the decision of the Council。〃
〃And the ship？〃
〃Gone； your Reverence。 One of the parties has captured it。〃
〃And these？〃
〃Are the Legitimists； your Reverence： at least they have confessed
to have warred with Mexico； and invaded Californiathe brigands。〃
The priest remained lost for a moment in blank and bitter
amazement。 Banks took advantage of the pause to edge his way to
the front。
〃Ask him； some of you；〃 he said； turning to Brace and Crosby； 〃when
this dd farce will be over； and where we can find the head man
the boss idiot of this foolery。〃
〃Let him put it milder；〃 whispered Winslow。 〃You got us into
trouble enough with your tongue already。〃
Crosby hesitated a moment。
〃Quand finira ce drole representation？etetqui est ce qui est
l'entrepreneur？〃 he said dubiously。
The priest stared。 These Americans were surely cooler and less
excitable than his strange guest。 A thought struck him。
〃How many are still in the ship？〃 he asked gently。
〃Nobody but Perkins and that piratical crew of niggers。〃
〃And that infernal Hurlstone；〃 added Winslow。
The priest pricked up his ears。
〃Hurlstone？〃 he repeated。
〃Yesa passenger like ourselves； as we supposed。 But we are
satisfied now he was in the conspiracy from the beginning；〃
translated Crosby painfully。
〃Look at his strange disappearancea regular put…up job；〃 broke in
Brace； in English； without