52 VOYAGE TO THE 



form of Catholicism, that their minds might become 

 by this means sufficiently improved to allow of their 

 settling in independent Christian communities ; but, 

 judging from their present mental capacity, it must be 

 long before so great and desirable a change can be 

 effected. The experiment of liberating the Indians 

 has been tried and has failed ; * and appearances cer- 

 tainly justify the assertion that the Indian is happier 

 under control than while indulging his free soul in the 

 wilds of his native country. 



What might seem a remarkable example of this was 

 met with on turning from the dwelling of wretched- 

 ness just described to a scene of the greatest mirth 

 and happiness amongst some converted Indians, who 

 were passing their holiday in amusement. Some were 

 playing at tahersia, a game which, as already de- 

 scribed, consists in trundling a hoop, or rather a piece 

 of wood with a hole in it, and in endeavouring to pierce 

 it with a short lance as it rolls. Another party were 

 playing at a game resembling hochey, and in various 

 parts of the plain adjoining the mission many others 

 were engaged in pleasant recreations, passing their day 

 in exercise, content, and enjoyment. 



In the neighbouring meadows there were several 

 large herds of cattle ; and the geese settled there In 

 flocks, as at the mission of Santa Clara. The rocks, 

 where they protruded, were ascertained by Mr. Collie 

 to be sandstone conglomerate with a calcareous basis. 



The welcome peal of the mission bell assembled the 

 party at dinner ; but the padre, who for some time 

 before had been earnestly engaged in endeavouring to 



* The effect of emancipation on the Indians is spoken of more 

 fit large in an after part of this work. 



