CALIFORNIA. 203 



resembling a light bronze colour, in consequence of the vegetation 

 having been scorched up for many months. 



About nine o'clock, five horses arrived instead of the eight we were 

 in need of. These were literally the lame, halt, and blind, having 

 sore backs, and being withal half starved. One had an eye protrud- 

 ing from its socket, another was without a tail. In any other country 

 and place we should have refused to mount such horses ; they were 

 indeed sorry beasts, and compared with that of Don Miguel's, that had 

 been in waiting for him, truly deplorable. Of the caparisons I shall 

 only say, that sheep-skin and raw-hide predominated, although I re- 

 gretted before the league was passed over that I had not had more of 

 the former under me. I felt ashamed, even in California, to be thus 

 mounted. We took leave of our kind hostess with many thanks for 

 the attention she had showed us, and engaged her to provide an ample 

 supply for the boats' crews during our absence. 



The league between the Embarcadero and Santa Clara occupied us 

 somewhat over an hour, for it was unbearable to attempt to ride faster 

 than a walk. After ten o'clock, we came in sight of the mission of 

 Santa Clara, and as we approached it the little ponds and damp places 

 on the prairie were literally covered with wild geese, which would 

 but barely open a way for us to pass through. They were far more 

 tame than any barn-door geese I ever saw, and I could not easily 

 divest myself of the idea that they were not domesticated. 



The mission of Santa Clara has, at a distance, a respectable 

 appearance ; but on our drawing near the long line of huts, formerly 

 occupied by the Indians, which are now destroyed, excepting a few, 

 the ruin and neglect that have taken place are evident enough. The 

 church and mission-house adjoining have also a dilapidated look ; their 

 tile roofs and whitewashed walls require extensive repairs, as well as 

 all the wood-work of the doors, posts, &c. The church flanks the 

 mission-house on the north, and is about one hundred and fifty feet 

 long by forty wide, and about fifty feet high ; it is surmounted by a 

 small steeple. The mission-house is of only one story, with a corridor 

 extending its whole length, of one hundred and fifty feet. This dwelling 

 is now occupied both by the administrador and the padre, and a wall 

 divides the premises into two parts, separating the temporal from the 

 spiritual concerns of the establishment. The padre has his own 

 servants, cooks, &c. 



As we rode up with Don Miguel, we had no need of further 

 introduction, and shared the kind welcome he received, as an old 

 acquaintance, who had evidently much to do with the affairs of the 

 mission, in the way of business. The administrador and his deputy 



