“Why didn’t you ride?” asked Yappa.
“We had never seen an ox-cart then,” answered Docas.
“Tell us about the time when you were young, grandpa,” said Shecol.
So Docas began and told them stories about the life at the old rancheria, and the fight with the Indians from the other rancheria. He told how they were saved by Father Pena from torture and how they went to live at the Mission. Then, he told them about the building of the big church, about the planting of the grainfields and orchards, about the thousands and thousands of cattle and horses that belonged to the Mission, and about the hundreds of Indians who lived under the care of the good Fathers. “Our Mission is not now what it used to be,” said Docas, sadly.
With her were an old man and a little boy.
“What happened to the Mission?” Yappa asked.
“The Mexican government took away the lands and then the Indians left. Some have gone back to live at the old rancherias, and some, like ourselves, are going to live with rich Spaniards,” answered Docas.
Just then the cart stopped, and they all got out at their new home.
“Aren’t you glad the house is not built yet?” Shecol asked Yappa. “We shall have to camp out all the summer and we can play we are wild Indians again.”