382 
VOYAGE TO THE 
(^AP. it must be long before so great and desirable a change can be effected. 
The experiment of liberating the Indians has been tried and has failed * ; 
1820 appearances certainly justify the assertion that the Indian is happier 
under control than while indulging his free soul in the wilds of his 
native country. 
What might seem a remarkable example of this was met with on 
turning from the dwelling of wretchedness just described to a scene of 
the greatest mirth and happiness amongst some converted Indians, who 
w'ere passing their holiday in amusement. Some were playing at taker sia, 
a game which, as already described, consists in trundling a hoop, or 
rather a piece of wood with a hole in it, and in endeavouring to pierce 
it with a short lance as it rolls. Another party were playing at a game 
resembling hockey, and in various parts of the plain adjoining the mis- 
sion many others were engaged in pleasant recreations, passing their day 
in exercise, content, and enjoyment. 
In the neighbouring meadows there were several large herds of 
cattle ; and the geese settled there in flocks, as at the mission of 
Santa Clara. d he rocks, where they protruded, were ascertained by 
]\Ir. Collie to be sandstone conglomerate with a calcareous basis. 
The welcome peal of the mission bell assembled the party at dinner; 
but the padre, who for some time before had been earnestly engaged in 
endeavouring to convert one of his heretic guests, was unwilling to quit 
the train of theological disquisition which in his own opinion he had 
almost brought to successful issue, until reminded by his other visiters, 
who had not been accustomed to go so long without their breakfast, 
that they required something more substantial. 
I will not attempt to stimulate the appetite of my reader by enume- 
rating the various exquisite dishes which successively smoked on the 
board of the generous priest, suffice it that there were many good ones, 
as the padres in California are careful to have their table well supplied 
at all times of the year, and have an indulgence from the pope to eat 
meat even during the greater part of Lent, in consequence of the dif 
ficulty of procuring fish. 
* The effect of emancipation on the Indians is spoken of more at large in an after part 
of this work. 
V 
