William Hepworth Dixon, White Conquest: Volume 1

Such is the little history of a life, as told me in a chalet of Penitentia Creek, where we rest our horses for an hour, and eat some excellent Californian trout.

According to my friend, life is too ardent in these settlements for lads in Padre Varsi's school to have a chance. In Mexico the fathers might do better with their scholars, but the radicals of Mexico will not let them open schools.

“ Do many pupils at Santa Clara act as you have done?”

“Yes, more than yoa would think; though few have gone my length. Some slip the noose-go wild-and turn their freedom to a curse; while others, after tasting liberty awhile, slink back into their chains. A few remain outside, wearing their gifts like men. A good example lends us strength, and we have always good examples in our sight. If I am ever tempted, out of weakness, to fall back, I fix my thoughts on some such point as Yale in New Haven, or the Inner Temple in London. Then my fainting of the heart goes by.”