Destmction of the San Xavier 1Jtlissio11s
prisoner was suffering at this time from intermittent fever, and in this manner conducted him all the way to San Xavier. His continued atten- tions to the wife of the maltreated husband became the general talk of the company. Such was the state of affairs when, on his arrival at San Xavier, he read to the missionaries the viceregal instructions requiring one of them to serve as chaplain. Fray Mariano then appointed Fray Miguel Pinilla of Mission Candelaria to perform this service on December IO, IiSI. The zealous missionary felt it his duty to put an end to the scandalous affair between the captain and the wife of Ceballos. He appears to have admonished both of them privately and to have urged the captain to send the woman back to San Antonio, advising her at the same time to go. Far from desisting in his sinful purpose, Rabago seems to have blamed the maligned husband for the scandal. In a fit of fiendish malice, while Ceballos was securely pinned against the wall of his cell by five spikes, the captain had a bed placed before his victim and in his presence abused his wife. 40 Violation of sanctttary. On Christmas eve, 175 I, while the guard was perhaps relaxed during the traditional merrymakings, the unfor- tunate man succeeded in escaping and taking refuge in the chapel of Mission Candelaria. Next morning when Rabago learned of the flight, he flew into a rage, mounted his horse, and, accompanied by a group of his men, went to Mission Candelaria, rode into the chapel without dis- mounting, and violently seized Ceballos and carried him back to the presidio. 41 The effect of such a deed may well be imagined. Fray Miguel Pinilla immediately notified Captain Rabago of the magnitude of the offence committed and the importance of returning the prisoner to Mission Candelaria and making a public apology for the affront. Christmas day and the next passed without a reply. On December 27, about noon, Captain Rabago brought the maltreated Ceballos back to Mission Candelaria and turned him over to Fray Pinilla without making any apology for his actions. The same day he 40Juan Joseph Saenz de Caballos to the Viceroy. January 12, 1752; Fray Mariano de Ios Dolores to the Viceroy, June 13, 1752; A.G. I. Audiencia de Jllexico, 9 1 • 3 • 2 (Dunn Tr. 1750-1751); Castaneda, Morft's History of Texas, pt. 2, p. 338; Bolton Texas, 251-252. ••Fray Mariano to the Viceroy, June 13, 1752; Juan Joseph Sienz de Ceballos to same, January 12, 1752; A. G. I. Audiencia de Mexico, 91-3-2 (Dunn Tr. 1750 • 1 7 s 1), 199-205, 21 8-222; Fray Miguel Pinilla, Declaration concerning violation of sanctuary by Capt. Rabago in Ibid; pp. 222-224.
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