ST. FRANCISCO. 89 



ing sun. Here, they would have found the 

 climate of the South of Germany, and a luxu- 

 riant soil, that would have yielded an ample 

 recompense for the slightest pains bestowed 

 upon it. 



After a few hours' sail, w^e came to a deep 

 creek opening to the right, and on its shores 

 we perceived the mission of St. Francisco 

 rising among wooded hills. The tide by this 

 time had ebbed, the wind had died away, and 

 we proceeded slowly by the aid of oars : this 

 induced us, after rowing about fifteen miles, to 

 land, at noon, on a pleasant little island. We 

 made a blazing fire ; and as every sailor under- 

 stands something of cookery, a dinner was soon 

 dressed, which eaten in the open air in beauti- 

 ful weather, under the shade of spreading oaks, 

 appeared excellent. 



While the sailors were reposing, we exa- 

 mined the island. Its northern shore was tole- 

 rably high, and rose almost perpendicularly 

 from the sea. Its soil, as that of all the coun- 

 try about the bay of St. Francisco, consists, 

 under the upper mould, of a variegated slate ; 

 probably the foot of man had never before trod- 



