312 EI.DORADO 



schooner. We sent on board of her for some provis- 

 ions, but the boat was swamped and all were lost." 



The three sick men left in the rear two weeks be- 

 fore, were without medicine and their sufiferings were 

 very great. They were strong in the hope and expec- 

 tation of aid from those in advance, but, unfortunately 

 no assistance could be rendered them. They struggled 

 along many days, often compelled to carry one of their 

 sick comrades, subsisting on what they could find by 

 the way. When strength and courage had nearly 

 failed they were surprised one day at seeing a man 

 coming along the trail towards them. He was carry- 

 ing a rifle which he took by the muzzle trailed it along 

 the ground and approached them saying he was 

 "Christiano." He was an old mission Indian and said 

 he lived at "Mission San Fernando." He took from 

 his girdle, which was tied about him, same pinola, 

 which was mixed with water and given to the sick 

 man. Seeing their destitute and famished condition 

 tbe old Indian cut the stalks from a species of cactus 

 and at the same time dug from the ground with his 

 knife the bulbous roots of another species. Burning 

 oflf the outside of the cactus the inner part made ex- 

 cellent food about the consistence, and lasting very 

 much like a banana. It was a revelation and a God- 

 send to the tired and famished pilgrims. The roots 

 were cooked, by digging a small hole in the ground, 

 into which they were placed, and a fire built over 

 them. When cooked they much resembled the sweet 

 potato. The eflPect of eating them is said to be like 

 drinking wine after dinner. They subsequently joined 

 their comrades, the sick man. Melville, dying soon 

 after. 



