124 Ex. Doc. No. 41. 



passed most of their days in traversing untrodden regions, we 

 jogged along, shivering with the cold air of the elevated hills. 



About twelve, we came to a large patch of luxuriant grass, wet 

 with dew. Upon this we loosened our animals and attempted to 

 get a little sleep, but, in the absence of blankets or fire, thecold de- 

 prived us of repose, and the dawn of day found us again in our 



saddles. ' . . ; 



'The only habitation on the road from San Luis Rey to San Diego 

 is a hut about half way, where there is a good spring. Its occu- 

 pants had just returned from the wars, quite as hungry as we were. 

 They had preceded us not more than twenty minutes, yet they had 

 a fat bullock killed, and choice bits of his flesh roasting before the 

 fire. We outnumbered the party, and consequently received their 

 hospitality, which was extended to us with a good deal of bon- 



homraie. . 



They conversed freely of the battles fought but a few days be- 

 fore, acknowledged their participation in them, and expressed them- 

 selves satisfied of the uselessness of farther resistance without aid 



from Mexico. n vr 



The fresh meat of a bullock is all that is required by the Calilor- 



nian for breakfast, dinner, and supper. 



Bread, tea, and coffee are rarely, if ever, used, and even when 

 within their reach, looked upon w^ith indifference. 



We very soon fell into their habits, and it is probable the troops 

 in California, at^ this time, would not consider it an excessive hardr 

 ship to make a campaign with no other stores in the commissaria 

 than a plentiful supply of fresh beef. The white teeth of the tai- 

 ifornians, and the blood tingling in the cheeks of their olive col- 

 ored faces would seem to prove this beef to be a very ^^* ^ „'^^^' 



The advantages in the mov 



with this kind of subsistence lo »cij gicat, ciiauin.g -* , 



with:iut wagons, and with no other care for the morrow than her 

 ing the animals intended for food. .. 



"Our host w^as so well pleased with the manner in which ^^^.^.^^^t, 

 ted ourselves at his rude repast, that forgetting old animosities, 

 saddled up his jaded horse, and piloted us for five or six EQi J 

 until we reached the broad trail, leading to the Solidad. _ 



About midday we reached San Diego, and next morning ^^'^^^^ 

 leave of my men and the animals that had done us such gooQ , 



Dvement of troops that are contenteQ 

 is very great, enabling them to move 



Mai 



leave 



may 



by Lieutenant Sr.henck, of the navy, and prepared to take my 

 of Upper or Alia California. Beiore doing so, however, 

 venture upon a few general remarks, based upon personal obser^ 

 tions, upon the topography, climate, and products of ^^^''P^^r^ge 

 of the country not covered by my survey, or that of others. g. 



observations were made after I had become separated from cay 

 sistants and instruments, my mind being engrossed with °^^^^^^^;^e 

 jec'S. The information contained iii them is, therefore, less p"""'' 

 than that contained in other portions of my journal. *^ 



The region, extending from the head of the Gulf of Cabf^^ , 

 to the parallel of the Pueblo, or Ciudad de los Angeles, is the on j 



re 



CISC 



