RETURN TO THE SHIP. 103 



year 1797, on a very fertile spot. It is already 

 one of the richest in California, and a Pueblo 

 has arisen in its neighbourhood ; the only 

 Pueblo on the Bay of St. Francisco, except 

 that near Santa Clara. Between St. Jose and 

 Santa Clara a road has lately been made which 

 may be traversed on horseback in about two 

 hours. 



^Boon after our return to the ship, a monk was 

 observed riding along the shore in company 

 with a dragoon, and making signs with his 

 large hat, that he wished to come on board. 

 We sent the boat for him, and a little, thin, 

 lively, and loquacious Spaniard introduced him- 

 self as the Padre Thomas of the mission of St. 

 Francisco, and offered, for a good remuneration, 

 to furnish us daily with fresh provisions, besides 

 two bottles of milk. He boasted not a little of 

 being the only man in the whole Bay of St. 

 Francisco who had succeeded, after overcoming 

 many difficulties and obstacles, in obtaining 

 milk from cows, of which he had a numerous 

 herd. As the Presidio could not supply our 

 wants, and the mission of Santa Clara lay too far 



