S VOYAGE TO THE 



Spanish soldiers. These two pUices were the only 

 buildings within many miles of ns, and they fortu- 

 nately supplied just enough spirits to allow the people 

 to enjoy themselves with their friends, without in- 

 dulging in much excess — a very great advantage in a 

 seaport. 



The roads leading to these two great places of 

 attraction in a short time became well beaten, and 

 that to the mission very much improved, by having 

 the boughs removed which before overhung it. It 

 was at first in contemplation to hire a Spaniard to lop 

 them; but our pioneers, who stopped at nothing, soon 

 tore them all away, except one, a large stump, which 

 resisted every attack, and unhorsed several of its 

 assailants. 



Martinez was always glad to see the officers at the 

 presidio, and made them welcome to what he had. 

 Indeed, nothing seemed to give him greater pleasure 

 than our partaking of his family dinner ; the greater 

 part of which was dressed by his wife and daughters, 

 who prided themselves on their proficiency in the art 

 of cooking. It was not, however, entirely for the 

 satisfaction of presenting us with a well-prepared 

 repast that they were induced to indulge in this 

 humble occupation : poor Martinez had a very nu- 

 merous ofi'spring to provide for out of his salary, 

 which was then eleven years in arrears. He had 

 a sorry prospect before him, as, a short time pre- 

 vious to our visit, the government, by way of pay- 

 ing up these arrears, sent a brig with a cargo of 

 paper cigars to be issued to the troops in lieu of 

 dollars ; but, as Martinez justly observed, cigars 

 would not satisfy the families of the soldiers, and the 

 compromise was refused. The cargo was, however. 



