ogged along, shivering with the cold air of the elevated hills. 
_ About twelve, we came to a large patch of luxuriant grass, wet 
Sad — ‘ 
eae most of their days in traversing untrodden regions, we ; 
] 
with dew. Upon this we loosened our animals and attempted to | 
t 
' 
get a little sleep, but, in the absence of blankets or fire, the cold 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 | 
isa 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 
We outnumbered the party, and consequently received their 
| 
| 
| 
hospitality, which was extended to us with a good deal of bon-. - 
hommie. | 
_. They conversed freely of the battles fought but afew days be- 
. fore, acknowledged their participation in them, and expressed them- 
selves satisfied of the uselessness of farther resistance without aid — 
from Mexico. 
__. The fresh meat of a bullock is all that is required by the Califor- 
nian for breakfast, dinner, and supper. 
__-- Bread, tea, and coffee are rarely, if ever, used, and even when 
within their reach, looked upon with 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 hard- — 
‘ship to make a campaign with no other stores in the commissariat 
_- than a plentiful supply of fresh beef. The white teeth of the Cal- 
-ifornians, and the blood tingling in the cheeks of their olive col- 
- ored faces would seem to prove this beef to be a very healthy diet. 
os he advantages in the movement of troops that are contented 
_- with this kind of subsistence is very great, enabling them to move 
without wagons, and with no other care for the morrow than herd- © 
ing the animals intended for food. _ : 
_. Our host was so well pleased with the manner in which we acquit- 
ted ourselves at his rude repast, that forgetting old animosities, he 
saddled up his jaded horse, and piloted us for five or six miles,” 
until we reached the broad trail, leading to the Solidad. ; 
| About midday we reached San Diego, and next morning taking 
_ leave of my men and the animals that had done us such good ser- 
vice, I embarked on board the prize brig Malek Adhel, commanded 
by Lieutenant Schenck, of the navy, and prepared to take my leave | 
_-of Upper or Alta California. Before doing so, however, I may 
» venture upon a few general remarks, based upon pérsonal observa- 
tions, upon the topography, climate, and products of that portion 
of the country not covered by my survey, or that of others. These. 
observations were made after I had become separated from my as- 
ts. The information contained in them is, therefore, less precise 
han that contained in other portions of my journal. 
‘The region, extending from the head of the Gul. 
the parallel of the Pueblo, or Ciudad de los Ange! 
| not heretofore coveted by my own notes and j 
we 
of California 
, is the only 
ournal, or by 
istants and instruments, my mind being engrossed with other sub- 
