"Simply, my son, I suppose, because they were ignorant of the requirements of the law. They had lived there always; they could not remember having heard of a time when their forefathers had not lived there. They did not dream they would ever be disturbed. And so it came to pass that when they were informed steps had been taken to eject them they paid no attention to it."
"Why didn't they get a lawyer to attend to it for them?"
"After some time they did. There were able lawyers employed on both sides. The suit has lasted for many years, has been taken from one court to another, and now it has been finally decided that the Indians must go. I have heard that many of them still refuse to believe it."
"I call it a beastly shame," said Walter. "Why don't they fight?"
"What could a couple of hundred warriors do against the United States government?" replied Mrs. Page.
"I thought the Comanches and Apaches, and those Indian tribes liked to fight just for the sake of fighting," said Nellie.
"That is probably true," replied Mrs. Page; "but our California Indians are neither Comanches nor Apaches, my dear. They have always been peaceful, and have been called the 'mission Indians' from the time of the first establishment of the Spanish Franciscans at San Diego. The Warner Ranch Indians are called Cupeños, from Cupa, the name given to the hot springs. Comfortable and happy they were while under the control of the mission Fathers; but since the time that the missions were abolished and the priests scattered things have been very different. That was after the Mexican War, about which you both know something, I believe. Certainly Walter does."
"I'm very anxious to go, aren't you, mother?" asked Walter.
"Yes, if it has been decided that it will benefit me," said Mrs. Page. "I should like to start to-morrow if I could."