SCHUMACHER ON KJOKKENMODDINGS OF CALIFORNIA. 55 



loose and shifting sand of the dunes, between which it ought to be, 

 covered it up. We remained that night in camp near the lagoon, and 

 experienced another heavy rain and hail storm. Wet and freezing, we 

 sallied out early the next morning to make the mouth of San Antonio 

 Creek, which had much swollen, and had to be crossed at the beach, 

 where its waters mingle with the breakers of the ocean. The crossing 

 of the creek delayed us many hours, and was attended with some danger. 

 We had hardly become dry after last night's exposure in endeavoring 

 to save our light tent, and now we had to plunge into the water to save 

 our equipage, and rescue team and wagon out of the sandy river-bottom. 

 We passed Point Perdernales, and dragged over a chain of dunes to the 

 Lompoc landing, now in course of construction. About a quarter of a 

 mile to the northward of this landing, we found quite a shell-deposit, 

 and some signs of houses near a spring, but no graves could be discov- 

 ered. 



From this point, behind which is the landing, open to the southwest, 

 but partially sheltered against northwest winds, toward the mouth of 

 San Inez River, which is about four miles to the southward, we noticed 

 old shell deposits, especially back of the wharf. The thick growth of 

 chaparral prevents us from advantageously examining this place ; per- 

 haps the deposits were accumulated only by temporary visits of the In- 

 dians. At the right bank of San Inez, where a large rmicheria was re- 

 ported, we found no signs whatever. This river we could not cross on 

 account of the late rains, and had to take our course up its banks. After 

 a venturous travel over the hills and canons, we reached the house of 

 the Santa Lucia rancho, which estate, by the way, is very large, where 

 another cemetery was reported. But I was soon convinced by the in- 

 telligent gentleman that holds it now at rent that nothing of the kind 

 existed. 



From the time we left Olivera's place, our trip was a chain of dis- 

 appointments, and I therefore hastened to its conclusion. We returned 

 again to La Graciosa, and without delay went to Guadalupe on our 

 way to San Luis Obispo. At Guadalupe,a small jug of burnt clay was 

 given to me by a hunter, w^ho picked it up at a southern branch creek 

 of the San Inez Eiver, about 10 miles from shore, in a secluded place, 

 where he thought could still be traced the remains of an old Indian hut. 

 It was found alongside of an oven, or furnace, as he calls it, in which 

 he thought it was baked. The furnace, he says, was about one and a 

 half feet high, made of clay, round, and had but one opening — none for 

 the draft. It was left by him undisturbed. 



From San Luis Obispo we made a trip, at the beginning of February, 

 to Morro Bay. We found at Morro Creek signs of an old ranchena. 

 Farther north, at Old Creek, are extended shell-mounds, especially the 

 one back of Stone's house, in the cultivated field, near the road leading 

 back into the valley. Although plowed, permission was received for 

 excavations. We found there, as if to give perfection to our ill-luck of 



