Captain de La Vega got off his horse. He and Lieutenant Rodriguez made a quick reconnoiter of the presidio. The presidio soldiers stood stone still afraid to move or say anything. The barracks were unkempt. The stables needed turning and the officers’ quar-ters hadn’t been cleaned. Captain de La Vega and the lieutenant looked out from the pre-sidio’s promontory. The fort had an excellent command of the entire coast. A lush valley lay just below to the north. A river flowed lazily through the valley finally emptying into the Pacific.
The captain and lieutenant descended the stairs. The soldiers continued to stand mute.
“Bugler, sound general quarters,” the captain ordered. A young fresh faced soldier blew the call. The soldiers of the fort …show more content…
I am your new commander. Where are the rest of the men assigned to this fort?” A short soldier whose face was hollowed from hunger and fear raised his arm. Captain de La Vega set his sights on the man who looked like a decent wind would knock him over. “Yes, soldier.” “Sergeant Acuna, Captain. Many have died from the fever. Some went to the beaches where food is more plentiful. Some…” the sergeant shrugged his shoulders. “This is what remains of your command.” Captain de La Vega nodded. “Who is in command? Sgt. Acuna looked at the other men and shrugged his shoulders again. “I am the highest ranking man left, Captain. Father Montoya from the mission has assumed control of the food and water.” The captain gave a quick glance to the two padres who had traveled with the ca-ravan. They both stood silent. The older of the two, Father Damian, betrayed his thoughts with a small smirk. Captain de La Vega looked at the sergeant. “And where might Father Montoya be?” Sergeant Acuna shifted his weight uneasily. “The priest took three men and went to hunt Indians.” The captain kept a stone continence. “Why is Father Montoya hunting Indians? I was under the impression most of the local natives were friendly. Have they suddenly turned …show more content…
The Indians, they run away from the mission. Father Montoya needs soldiers to recapture them.” Captain de La Vega fixed a hard look on the group of men. “From here on no sol-dier is to assist Father Montoya. His domain is the mission. Ours is the presidio. If the good Father’s workers run away, that is his issue. I want two men to take four of my
The captain and lieutenant descended the stairs. The soldiers continued to stand mute.
“Bugler, sound general quarters,” the captain ordered. A young fresh faced soldier blew the call. The soldiers of the fort …show more content…
I am your new commander. Where are the rest of the men assigned to this fort?” A short soldier whose face was hollowed from hunger and fear raised his arm. Captain de La Vega set his sights on the man who looked like a decent wind would knock him over. “Yes, soldier.” “Sergeant Acuna, Captain. Many have died from the fever. Some went to the beaches where food is more plentiful. Some…” the sergeant shrugged his shoulders. “This is what remains of your command.” Captain de La Vega nodded. “Who is in command? Sgt. Acuna looked at the other men and shrugged his shoulders again. “I am the highest ranking man left, Captain. Father Montoya from the mission has assumed control of the food and water.” The captain gave a quick glance to the two padres who had traveled with the ca-ravan. They both stood silent. The older of the two, Father Damian, betrayed his thoughts with a small smirk. Captain de La Vega looked at the sergeant. “And where might Father Montoya be?” Sergeant Acuna shifted his weight uneasily. “The priest took three men and went to hunt Indians.” The captain kept a stone continence. “Why is Father Montoya hunting Indians? I was under the impression most of the local natives were friendly. Have they suddenly turned …show more content…
The Indians, they run away from the mission. Father Montoya needs soldiers to recapture them.” Captain de La Vega fixed a hard look on the group of men. “From here on no sol-dier is to assist Father Montoya. His domain is the mission. Ours is the presidio. If the good Father’s workers run away, that is his issue. I want two men to take four of my