214 CALIFORNIA. 



could we see any light; but on a frequent repetition, each time re- 

 doubling our efforts, we at last heard light footsteps, and the door was 

 suddenly opened by a little Indian girl, who ushered us into a large 

 room, which, from the tables, chairs, and closets with china, we found 

 to be the salle a manger. Here we had a full view of the interior; and 

 the light which was burning in the adjacent rooms, showed us the 

 occupants fast asleep. We had scarcely time to look around us, 

 when a huge Californian, more than six feet in height, and propor- 

 tionately large, stalked towards us in his shirt. His whole figure and 

 countenance indicated a savage, and carried me back at once in idea to 

 the Feejee cannibals. In a gruff tone he demanded our wants, and 

 when he had satisfactorily ascertained who we were, and received a 

 cigar as a token of friendship, he called up the whole family, consisting 

 of a mother, two daughters, and several other children. These, after 

 dressing themselves, came forth, and greeted us with genuine hospi- 

 tality, with such pleasant faces and cheerful talk, that it was really 

 delightful to find ourselves in such quarters ; and our surprise was the 

 greater, in consequence of the exterior having proved so uninviting. 

 They immediately set about providing us with supper, consisting of 

 tea, tortillas, valdivias, ollas, with eggs and a steak ; and while this 

 was in preparation by some, others were arranging the beds and 

 changing the furniture of the sleeping-room. All this was done 

 whilst the mother was talking and waiting upon us ; and after 

 supper was over, she pointed to our room, and then excused her- 

 self, by saying she must provide something for the sailors who had 

 accompanied us ; whilst we retired to rest, much fatigued with our 

 jaunt. 



The room was furnished differently from what we had been accus- 

 tomed to, yet it was quite comfortable. The only piece of furniture 

 that was not new to us was a high-post bedstead, evidently from our 

 own country, though bedecked with old Spanish tapestry, in the way 

 of tester, curtains, and valance. Instead of drawers, there were huge 

 trunks, that put to shame those of modern construction. These 

 contained the household linen and the finery of the females of the 

 family, and were raised from the floor, that a broom might be passed 

 underneath them. Here and there on the .walls hung a new-made 

 dress, of ample dimensions, and several Spanish sombreros, those that 

 were of more recent date hanging highest; at least I judged them to 

 be the best ones, from the careful manner in which they were covered 

 up. There was no wash-stand ; but a French ewer and basin, of the 



