How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The tribe was dying out; infant mortality was heavy, and the young couples did not reproduce freely,—the life-force seemed low. (4.1.12)
Father Latour is sad to notice that the numbers of Native Americans in New Mexico seem to be in consistent decline. People aren't having kids and a lot of people are dying from sickness. It seems as though the life force of an entire race is dying out.
Quote #8
He never liked to drink spirits in the presence of an Indian. (4.2.19)
There are a couple of reasons why Latour wouldn't want to drink in front of a Native American. It might be out of respect (good job, Latour) or he might not want to show any weakness in front of Native Americans because he needs them to respect his power (less of a good job there, Latour).
Quote #9
He was already convinced that neither the white men nor the Mexicans in Santa Fe understood anything about Indian beliefs or the workings of the Indian mind. (4.2.29)
Father Latour has little faith that any white person has any clue about what's going on in the heads of Native Americans. A culture that outwardly different must be even more inwardly different, reasons Latour.