OF ST. GABRIEL. 115 



not much to fear from other enemies, is suffi- 

 ciently proved by the small number of soldiers 

 kept, and the total neglect of all regular means 

 of defence. The courage of these bravos seems 

 indeed principally to consist in unwillingness 

 to be caught, in flying with all speed to their 

 hiding-places when pursued, and in setting fire 

 to any property of the missions when they can 

 find an opportunity of doing so unobserved. 

 We saw here several of these heroes working 

 patiently enough with irons on their feet, and 

 in no way distinguishable in manners or appear- 

 ance from their brethren of St. Francisco or 

 Santa Clara. 



With the first rays of the sun we mounted 

 our horses, and having passed the valley of 

 St. Gabriel, and the hill which bounds it, our 

 guide led us in a north-westerly direction fur- 

 ther into the interior. The fine, light, and fertile 

 soil we rode upon was thickly covered with 

 rich herbage, and the luxuriant trees stood in 

 groups as picturesque as if they had been dis- 

 posed by the hand of taste. We met with 

 numerous herds of small stags, so fearless, that 

 they suffered us to ride fairly into the midst of 



