The Spanish in the Southwest . He hadthe same interest and delight in all the nine missionsfounded before his death. From the first day the priests planned how to get Indiansto live at the missions. Often the savages knew nothingabout the coming of the white men until the ringing ofbells and the firing of guns went echoing across the plainsand mountains. Startled by these new sounds, the nativesran curiously forward to learn what was happening. Theguns might frighten them away, but peals from the bells, El Carmelo. near Monterey 132 The Missions of Alta California music of the voices joined in
The Spanish in the Southwest . He hadthe same interest and delight in all the nine missionsfounded before his death. From the first day the priests planned how to get Indiansto live at the missions. Often the savages knew nothingabout the coming of the white men until the ringing ofbells and the firing of guns went echoing across the plainsand mountains. Startled by these new sounds, the nativesran curiously forward to learn what was happening. Theguns might frighten them away, but peals from the bells, El Carmelo. near Monterey 132 The Missions of Alta California music of the voices joined in singing hymns, and the sightof fine robes worn by the priests during the services, werealmost sure to bring them back in open-eyed surprise andadmiration. When they had gazed and listened until thefirst curiosity was satisfied, the priests tried other meansof keeping them or of inducing them to come again. Suchpresents as Indians like were given them; food, too, if anycould be spared from the mission stores. Pleased by this. Mission of San Juan Capistrano treatment, some stayed at the mission, and those who wentaway were sure to come again, bringing others with themfor a share in the white mans pleasures. Lazy and alwayshungry, the Indians were glad to stay at the missions wherefood and clothing were given them. So the numbers grew;sometimes slowly as at San Diego, sometimes rapidly asat San Luis Rey. When the Indians were once settled in their new life, Life at the Missions 133 the fathers began to teach them some of the doctrines ofthe church and how to work. They first went slowly, forneither party had yet learned the others language ; but theresults of their work soon began to show around the mis-sions. The simple, stupid, but usually good-natured nativestook kindly to their surroundings. They were more will-ing to work for others than for themselves, and they hadsuch awe and respect for the fathers that they wereusually obedient. New mission buildings were soon begun. The
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