CALIFORNIA. 
211 
practising. There was certainly nothing earthly in the sound, nor yet 
heavenly; much noise, but little music. 
We were up betimes, but were threatened with disappointment in 
our horses. The kind and attentive Donna Aliza served us with choco¬ 
late and toast, and prepared cold tongues, chickens, and ample stores 
of bread for our use. At last the horses, together with the Indians 
who were to accompany us, made their appearance, and out of the 
number, I recognised at least three that belonged to the administra- 
dor, as I had been led to believe would be the case the evening before. 
His good wife ordered us their best saddles, but without the pillions 
or saddle-cloths. 
After an hour’s preparation, we took our leave and galloped off, in 
company with Don Miguel, who proposed to accompany us some six 
or seven miles, on our way to visit some of his herds, that were then 
feeding on the prairie. We had not proceeded far before we were 
overtaken by the person who had them in charge, coming at a furious 
gallop. He was mounted on the best horse I had seen in the country, 
and dressed after the Californian fashion, in a dark brown cloth jacket, 
thickly braided, both before and behind, with slashed sleeves, showing 
his shirt elegantly embroidered, both on the breast and sleeves ; velvet 
breeches of bright blue, secured around his waist with a red sash, and 
open at the sides, ornamented with braid and brass bells, in abundance ; 
below the knee he wore leather leggins, fastened with garters, worked 
in silver, and below these, shoes, over which were fastened large silver 
spurs, wiih the heavy rowels of the country; on his head was tied a 
red bandana handkerchief, and over that a huge broad-brimmed som 
brero, with peaked crown, covered with an oil-silk cloth; the whole 
decorated with cords, aiguillettes, and ribands, with a guard-cord pass¬ 
ing under the chin. His horse was equally well caparisoned, the bridle 
being decked with silver, as were the tips of his large wooden stirrups; 
with pillions and saddle-cloths in abundance. Few riders had so gay 
an air, or seemed to have so perfect a command of the animal he 
rode; and until we arrived at the wood where his Indians were look¬ 
ing out, he was an object of great attraction, assuming all the airs and 
graces of a person of high rank. 
After galloping for several miles, we reached a few trees and 
bushes, that are designated as the “ woods.” Near by was a large 
herd of cattle feeding. The Rancheros we found lying about, in 
huts of hide, with a fire in front, and the leg-bone of an ox roasting 
over it; the skulls, bones, and offal, lay about, with hides here and 
there pegged to the ground.* Some score of dogs were disputing 
* The hides of the cattle that die, or that are killed for food, are cured in this way. 
