midday
As she neared the mission , and the houses clustered around it , the inmates started from their various occupations and gazed in astonishment at Juana as she sped by , wild-eyed , her hair streaming in the wind . Father Zalvidea had passed the morning in reading the letters Diego had brought to him the night before , and meditating gloomily on the prospect confronting the missions . He did not fear any particular trouble at San Gabriel , but the news he had had from some of the northern establishments was not reassuring ; and the missions were so closely united in one common bond , that what was an injury to one was an injury to all . After reading and re-reading the letters , he put them away , and betook himself to his garden for a little pasear before his midday meal . He had paced the length of the garden only two or three times , when he was aroused from his revery by the abrupt appearance of a woman whom , from the agony distorting her face , and her long fluttering hair , he did not at once recognize . As soon as she saw him Juana cried out , `` Father , Father ! '' and staggering forward a step , fell , unconscious , at his feet .