20 CHANNEL ISLANDS OF CALIFORNIA 



"On the Tuesday and Wednesday following, they sailed 

 along the coast about eight leagues, and passed by some three 

 uninhabited islands. One of them is larger than the others, 

 and extends two entire leagues, and forms a shelter from the 

 west winds. They are three leagues from the mainland; they 

 are in 34 degrees. This day they saw on land great signal 

 smokes. It is a good land in appearance, and there are great 

 valleys, and in the interior there are high ridges. They called 

 them Las Islas Desiertas [the Desert Isles]. 



"The Thursday following they proceeded about six leagues 

 by a coast running north-northwest and discovered a port 

 inclosed and very good, to which they gave the name of San 

 Miguel [San Pedro Bay]. It is in 34J degrees; and after anchor- 

 ing in it they went on shore, wliich had people, three of whom 

 remained and all the others fled. To these they gave some 

 presents; and they said by signs that in the interior had passed 

 people like the Spaniards [Coronado]. They manifested much 

 fear. This same day at night they went on shore from the 

 ships to fish with a net; and it appears that there were here 

 some Indians, and they began to discharge arrows and wounded 

 three men. 



"The next day in the morning they entered further within 

 the port, which is large, with the boat, and brought away two 

 boys, who understood nothing by signs; and they gave them 

 both shirts and immediately sent them away. 



"And the following day in the morning there came to the 

 ship three large Indians; and by signs they said that there 

 were travelling in the interior men like us, with beards [Coro- 

 nado], and clothed and armed hke those of the ships; and they 

 made signs that they carried crossbows and swords, and made 

 gestures with the right arm as if they were throwing lances, 

 and went running in a posture as if riding on horse-back, and 

 made signs that they killed many of the native Indians, and 

 that for this they were afraid. This people are well disposed 

 and advanced; they go covered with the skins of animals. 

 Being in this port there passed a very great tempest; but on 

 account of the port's being good they suffered nothing [now 

 Los Angeles harbor]. It was a violent storm from the west- 

 southwest and south-southwest. This is the first storm which 



