PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
349 
shilling a day: a useful hint to persons who may be similarly circum- 
stanced. 
Such of the seamen as would not venture on horseback made 
parties to visit the presidio and mission, where they found themselves 
w'elcome guests with the Spanish soldiers. These two places were the 
only buildings within many miles of us, and they fortunately supplied 
just enough spirits to allow the people to enjoy themselves with their 
friends, without indulging in much excess — a very great advantage in 
CHAP. 
XIII 
a seaport. 
I'he roads leading to these two great places of attraction in a 
short time became well beaten, and that to the mission very much im- 
proved, by having the boughs removed which before overhung it. It 
was at first in contemplation to hire a Spaniard to lop them, but our 
pioneers, who stopped at nothing, soon tore them all away, except one, 
a large stump, which resisted every attack, and unhorsed several of its 
assailants. 
Martinez was always glad to see the officers at the presidio, and 
made them welcome to what he had. Indeed, nothing seemed to 
give him greater pleasure than our partaking of his family dinner ; the 
greater part of which was dressed by his wife and daughters, who 
prided themselves on their proficiency in the art of cooking. It was 
not, however, entirely for the satisfaction of presenting us with a 
well-prepared repast that they were induced to indulge in this hum- 
ble occupation : poor Martinez, besides his legitimate offspring, had 
eighteen others to provide for out of his salary, which was then eleven 
years in arrears. He had a sorry prospect before him, as, a short 
time previous to our visit, the government, by way of paying up 
these arrears, sent a brig with a cargo of paper cigars to be issued to 
the troops in lieu of dollars ; but, as Martinez justly observed, cigars 
w'ould not satisfy the families of the soldiers, and the compromise was 
refused. The cargo was, however, landed at Monterey and placed 
under the charge of the governor, where all other tobacco is contraband ; 
and as the Spaniards are fond of smoking, it stands a fair chance, in 
the course of time, of answering the intention of the government, par- 
ticularly as the troops apply for these oftener than they otherwise 
