PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 53 



convert one of his heretic guests, was unwilHng to 

 quit the train of theological disquisition which in his 

 own opinion he had almost brought to successful 

 issue, until reminded by his other visitors, who had 

 not been accustomed to go so long without their 

 breakfast, that they required something more sub- 

 stantial. 



I will not attempt to stimulate the appetite of my 

 reader by enumerating the various exquisite dishes 

 which successively smoked on the board of the ge- 

 nerous priest, suffice it that there were many good 

 ones, as the padres in California are careful to have 

 their table well supplied at all times of the year, and 

 have an indulgence from the pope to eat meat even 

 during the greater part of Lent, in consequence of the 

 difficulty of procuring fish. 



Having performed the honours of the table, padre 

 Arroyo retired to indulge his usual siesta : this, how- 

 ever, caused but a brief suspension to the eiforts he 

 most industriously continued to make for the purpose 

 of converting his heretical opponent to the true faith, 

 reading him innumerable lectures in refutation of the 

 Lutheran and Calvinistic doctrines, and in favour of 

 the pope's supremacy, infallibility, and power of re- 

 mitting offences. 



It more than once occurred to the party — and I be- 

 lieve, not without good foundation for their opinion — 

 that it was the hope of success in this conversion 

 which occasioned all the little manoeuvring to delay 

 them, that I have before described. But having at 

 length given his pupil over as irrevocably lost, he con- 

 sented to their departure on the following morning. 

 The padre appeared to be of an active mind, and had 

 constructed a water clock which communicated with a 



