Death Comes for the Archbishop · Chapter
The Lonely Road to Mora explained
Bishop Latour and Father Vaillant encounter the murderous Buck Scales on the road to Mora, are warned by his wife Magdalena, and escape.
What happens
Bishop Latour and Father Vaillant encounter the murderous Buck Scales on the road to Mora, are warned by his wife Magdalena, and escape. Later, Kit Carson rescues Magdalena and becomes a friend to the Bishop, who eventually brings nuns to Santa Fe and finds Magdalena a place with them.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Doubt
Magdalena's desperate faith in the priests and her desire to make her soul right with God contrast with Buck Scales' evil and Kit Carson's initial skepticism about religion.
Friendship and Loyalty
The growing bond between Bishop Latour and Kit Carson, based on mutual respect and shared values, is a central theme.
Landscape and Place
The lonely road to Mora and the harsh desert environment shape the events and the characters' experiences.
Characters to notice
- Bishop Jean Marie Latour
Travels to Mora, escapes Scales, meets Kit Carson, and later brings nuns to Santa Fe.
- Father Joseph Vaillant
Travels with Latour, helps escape Scales, and cares for Magdalena.
- Buck Scales
Murderous host on the road to Mora; threatens the priests and is later hanged.
- Magdalena Valdez
Warns the priests, rescued by Kit Carson, later becomes housekeeper for the Sisters of Loretto.
- Kit Carson
Rescues Magdalena, becomes a friend to Bishop Latour, and discusses faith and the needs of the people.
Key passages
“He took the scout’s hand. “I have long wanted to meet Kit Carson,” he said, “even before I came to New Mexico. I have been hoping you would pay me a visit at Santa Fe.””
Bishop Latour warmly greets Kit Carson, expressing his long-held desire to meet him.
This marks the beginning of their friendship.
“She looked up at him as out of a dark well; something became alive in her deep, haunted eyes. She caught with both hands at his fringed buckskin knees. “Christóbal!” she wailed. “Oh, Christóbal!””
Magdalena recognizes Kit Carson and clings to him desperately, calling him by his Spanish name.
Carson's arrival brings hope to the traumatized Magdalena.
“Instantly that stupid face became intense, prophetic, full of awful meaning. With her finger she pointed them away, away!—two quick thrusts into the air. Then, with a look of horror beyond anything language could convey, she threw back her head and drew the edge of her palm quickly across her distended throat—and vanished.”
Magdalena silently warns the priests of mortal danger by gesturing for them to leave and miming a slit throat.
Her warning saves their lives.