228 CALIFORNIA. 



must here say, that Senor Sanchez was not at home ; although I am 

 not prepared to vouch, from what I heard afterwards, that our treat- 

 ment at his hands would have been any better. We were told that it 

 was but a short two hours' ride to Yerba Buena, and we hoped to 

 reach it before dark. We therefore made haste to secure fresh horses, 

 and soon took our departure. The horses were but sorry-looking 

 animals, and I must own that the thanks for them were very difficult 

 to utter. 



We had scarcely gone beyond the " a dios" of our ill-looking friend, 

 when the steed of Captain Hudson came to a stand, and no persua- 

 sion, whipping, or spurring could induce him to move. It was then 

 discovered that he was blind, and in attempting to move him we 

 found he was lame also. My servant John was then directed to 

 change, as he was the best horseman of the three, and after a trial 

 of patience, succeeded in getting him along. 



After dark we reached the house of Mr. Spears, at Yerba Buena. 

 We were barely able to dismount, having had one of the roughest 

 and most fatigiiing rides I ever experienced. A warm welcome from 

 our countryman at Yerba Buena, and a seat at his hospitable board, 

 soon refreshed us. My boat being in waiting, we embarked, and 

 reached the Vincennes at two o'clock in the morning, greatly fatigued, 

 yet highly gratified with our jatint to the mission of Santa Clara. 



Finding all those belonging to Lieutenant Emmons's party had 

 now joined the ship, preparations for sea were at once made. I shall 

 now take up the operations in Southern Oregon, which will form the 

 subject of the following chapter. 



Steals 





SACRAMENTO INDIAN'S GAMBLING. 



