But the oasis was uninhabitable.

A few weeks and it would be merged once more in the desert from which it had been so painfully won.

Therefore I proposed that they should settle at Alta Vista under charge of the priest.

Alta Vista being above the volcano no outburst of lava could reach them, and the _azequia_ being intact beyond that point they could easily bring more land under cultivation and live in comfort and abundance.
To this proposal the survivors and the priest gladly and gratefully assented.

They were very good, those poor Indians, and seemed much more concerned over our approaching departure than their own fate, beseeching us, with many entreaties, not to leave them.