TO CALIFORNIA. 279 



has only one officer of the artiMery under his com- 

 mand. 



The 4th, at eight o'clock in the morning, we all 

 rowed to shore, and went into the Presidio to ride 

 to the Mission, according to our promise, in com- 

 pany with the commandant. The horses were 

 already saddled, and we began our journey, ac- 

 companied by ten horsemen, all very fine and ex- 

 pert men, who manage their carbines and lances 

 with the dexterity of our Cossacks. They owe 

 their skill to constant practice, for it is well known, 

 that the military in California serve only to pro- 

 tect the Mission against the incursions of the sa- 

 vages ; besides, they assist the clergy to make 

 converts among these tribes, and to keep those 

 already converted in the new faith. The weather 

 was extremely fine, and an hour's ride brought us 

 to our journey's end, though above half of the 

 road was sandy and mountainous. Only a few small 

 shrubs here and there diversified the barren hills ; 

 and it was not till we arrived in the neighbourhood 

 of the Mission, that we met with a pleasant country 

 and recognized the luxuriant scenery of California. 

 After passing through a street inhabited by Indians, 

 which is the name given by the Spaniards here to 

 the savage tribes, we stopped before a large build- 

 ing, adjoining the church, the residence of the 

 missionaries, and were received by five priests, of 

 whom three belonged to this Mission, and the two 

 others had come from St. Clara to be present at the 



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