Anza is refering to the native peoples living in the area.</p><p>"Heathen" is a poor translation of the Spanish word "gentil" which gives a negative  connotation of  the reference Anza was making to the indigenous, or native peoples.  "Gentil" means gentile in the English language, or a person who is not of the same religion as the speaker.  Thus, Anza was referring to these people as "non-Christian" or "non-Catholic." (D. G.)</p>