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Show river, lowering clouds, mists may have suggested a concept the Spanish priests had formed of Ireland, of Kildare where the holy Brigid founded her church of Cill Dara. Perhaps they also felt she was helping guide them aright in the decision taking shape in their minds. For that night the padres decided to double back toward Santa Fe by a southern route, thus abandoning the attempt to blaze a new trail to Monterey in California by a way much farther to the north than previous plans had indicated. They had promised the "Timpanois" -sometimes the diarist termed them "Lagunas"-near Utah Lake and Mount Timpanogos, that they would return to found a mission. The Fathers showed repeatedly that they felt a strong obligation to those Indians who had been hospitable and receptive to Christianity- So they doubly dreaded dying in some snow-clogged pass. Captain Miera, military man and engineer, was furious. He had already become vexed with the missionaries for their delaying in order to teach the gentle Timpanois. He and some others in the party expected fame and more substantial rewards if they could find a route avoiding the warlike Apaches but linking Santa Fe and Monterey, capitals of two broad provinces in Spain's New World empire. He knew that nations were competing along the Pacific as well as along the Atlantic that troubled year of 177 6. The Russians were thrusting south and. east. They were building forts and trading posts farther and farther down the California coast. Father pointed out to us that the Russians and the Spanish were racing each other on one side of North America. Meanwhile Great Britain, France and Spain were competing for leadership in the Atlantic "community." |