Chapter II, The Mission Summary

In the early 1700s, the Franciscans build a teaching center in the Mexican town of Zacatecons. The town has dances called passeos but one of the young men, Simon Garza, is too shy to take part in. He wants to meet the young woman called Juana Munoz, and finally asks Frey Damian de Saldana for help. The friar introduces them and they eventually become engaged and are married in 1720. The friar is infatuated with Benita Linan for whom Juana works.

In 1721, the friar's brother Avara, arrives in Mexico. An officer in the army, he and his brother are sent on a tour of inspection. Alvara meets Benita at a dinner with Damian.

The tour of inspection has them cross the Rio Grande and enter Tejas. There were two missions, Mission San Jose and Mission San Antonio de...