PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
unusual a journey ; but as the mode of travelling in that rude country 
admitted but few encumbrances, the omission of these preparations 
was of the less consequence. 
In order to reach a tolerable halting place for the night, the first 
day’s journey was necessarily long, and consequently by daylight on 
the 9th of November the three ofiicer« were on their road to the 
mission ; having found horses and an escort prepared in pursuance of 
previous arrangements. 
Setting off at a round trot, they made the best of their way over 
three or four miles of ground so overgrown with dwarf oaks and other 
trees that they were every moment in danger of being thrown from 
their horses, or having their eyes torn out by the branches as they 
passed. In half an hour, however, they reached the mission of S4n 
Francisco, and soon forgot the little annoyances they had hitherto met 
with in the hospitable welcome of the good priest, who regaled them 
with excellent pears and new milk. Nor was his conversation less 
palatable than his cheer ; for, notwithstanding the introduction of half 
a dozen unnecessary si senors in each sentence, he contrived to amuse 
the vacant time with a flow of most genuine humour for which Tomaso 
was always prepared, till the rattling accoutrements of a Californian 
dragoon announced the arrival of the passport from the governor. In- 
trusting their baggage to the care of two vaqueros (Indian cattle 
drivers) who were to accompany them, and receiving each a blessing 
from the padre, they set off with their escort about ten o’clock in the 
forenoon. The cavalcade consisted of the three officers of the Blossom, 
the two vaqueros, and their champion the dragoon, preceded by nine or 
ten loose horses driven on before as a relay, to be used when those they 
mounted should become fatigued. These Rozinantes are not much in- 
clined to deviate from the road, but if any thing should inspire them 
with a spirit of straying, the unerring lasso, the never-failing appendage 
to a Californian saddlebow, soon embraces their neck or their feet, and 
brings them back again to the right way. 
I must not, however, permit the party to proceed farther without 
introducing to the notice of the reader tlie costume and equipment of 
this dragoon of California. As for his person, I do not find it described. 
