SOUTHERN OREGON. 247 



attention he paid to them, individually and collectively, and of his care 

 and watchfulness in making provision for our sick. 



On the 21st, the land party commenced their journey, with a young 

 and intelligent Spaniard for a guide. The same day they made fifteen 

 miles, passing over a dry portion of country, and encamped near two 

 ponds, called in the country, Poros, the only place, as was supposed, 

 where water could be obtained within twenty miles; they, however, 

 found some the next day in the Rio Cosmenes, within a mile and a 

 half of the camp. Game was, as usual, very abundant; but the 

 whole country was suffering from the drought that has been before 

 spoken of. 



On the 22d, about noon, they crossed the river Mogueles, which 

 was then a small stream ; but at other seasons, it is said it cannot be 

 crossed on horseback. They travelled this day as far as the San Juan; 

 the only water that it contained was in small pools. This place had 

 been termed the Frenchman's Camp. The ducks and geese had ren- 

 dered the water scarcely drinkable. 



On the 23d, before noon, they reached the San Joachim, which 

 they found about fifty yards wide, and about three feet deep. Under 

 the expectation of finding water, they were induced to ride forty-four 

 miles, but were again disappointed. On the 24th, they entered among 

 the Pul Porrice hills, a bare and barren range, composed of sandstone 

 and volcanic rocks. As they approached the mission of San Jose, the 

 country became more hilly, the oak abundant, and herds of cattle and 

 horses were seen. On their way they fell in with large encampments 

 of Indians, who were busily employed in collecting acorns. They were 

 all half civilized as to dress, the men being clothed in shirts and 

 trousers, some in velvet breeches; the women in calico gowns, and 

 gay-coloured shawls ; several hundred of these were met, each loaded 

 with the beef which is distributed to thetn in weekly rations. They 

 are annually allowed a short holiday to return to their native wilds, 

 during the time acorns are in season. 



The approach to the mission shows it to have once been a large 

 establishment. It has all the appearance of a town, being built in the 

 form of a street of considerable length. In the centre is the church 

 and convent, with large dwelling-houses on each side of it, and on the 

 opposite side the houses for the neophytes, consisting of small low 

 buildings, with every appearance of filth and decay about them. 

 Indeed the whole establishment is falling into ruins ; the walls and 

 cates are thrown down, and every thing wears a look of neglect, both 

 in the buildings and the persons who inhabit them. The halcyon 

 days of this mission have passed away ; it is no longer the abode of 



