DIARY AND NOTES 349 



prepare for a trip to San Francisco at a time set. The 

 boat was late and as I had business in the Northern 

 metropolis I concluded to change my plan and take the 

 "Senator," Capt. Seeley, hoping to keep my previous 

 promise on my return. As it happened, we met the 

 "Laura Bevan" a few miles from Santa Barbara, South- 

 bound, and exchanged signals. Two weeks after I in- 

 quired for the date of its expected arrival from San Pedro 

 at San Francisco, when, to my consternation, I heard that 

 the vessel was eight or nine days late. Thus I was 

 obliged to return on the "Senator." Reaching Santa 

 Barbara I heard of the possible fate of the vessel, which 

 rumor was conlirmed at Los Angeles. The "Laura Bev- 

 an," Capt. Morton, with crew and passengers had found 

 their death in mid-ocean. 



Monday, December 14th, 1868, Los Angeles. Arrived 

 at San Pedro just a week ago to-day, after a trip of fifty 

 hours. To my great joy I found Rinaldi waiting for me 

 with a buggy; a four hours' drive took us to Los Angeles, 

 where the welcome accorded me was truly grand. For a 

 whole week visits and handshaking seemed to be the 

 order of the daily program. In the meantime a great deal 

 of good will has been shown me by General Banning, Har- 

 ris Newmark and others, who endeavored to engage me 

 for their offices. Though the offers made were very tempt- 

 ing, I saw a still better future in surveying. It was on 

 one of the visits to General Banning, in connection with 

 my refusal to take up the managing of his business, that 

 the kind old gentleman exclaimed: "Frank, if you ever 

 need my help, call on me and should I, forgetful of the 

 past, refuse generous assistance, tell me to remember the 

 'Ada Hancock/ "* 



Thursday, December 17th, 1868. Have commenced my 

 work as surveyor again. Gen. Banning was the first to 

 employ me. 



Last night we were aroused bv the fire alarm and be- 



*Thc render will recollect the tragic incident of the loss of that 

 ill-fated steamer with many of her passengers, a^ related on earl- 

 ier pages. — Translator. 



