TRAVELS IN THE CALIFORNIAS. 
137 
Spaniards. The Ensign, on seeing them, orders his men to 
make ready. The Indians, however, do not relish the ap¬ 
pearance of the arquebuses, and remain at a distance, talk¬ 
ing and gesticulating in the most earnest manner. At length 
they send one of their number with a little dog, in token of 
their desire to make peace. The man, while making the treaty, 
eyes the arquebuses very keenly, and signifies that four of his 
people are already deceased, and others dying of their wounds; 
and in token of their sincere wish not to hear from these gods 
of fire again, he makes a number of presents to the soldiers 
who bear them, and retires. 
The squadron leaves the bay on Wednesday the first of 
November. Continuing along the coast, they come to the 
mouth of a very large bay, sheltered on all sides, except the 
sea-ward one, by lofty mountains. It is protected at the 
entrance by two islands, which they call Todos Santos. The 
frigate and the Almiranta run in to make surveys. But the 
Capitana standing off, and night approaching, they dread 
another separation so much that they put out and rejoin the 
General. The next morning preparations are made to enter 
it again, for a more deliberate examination. But a favorable 
breeze springing up, they conclude to leave it for their re¬ 
turn, and continue the voyage. 
On the fifth of November they fall in with four islands, 
which they call Coronadas. On the tenth they enter the fa¬ 
mous harbor of San Diego. The day after their arrival. En¬ 
sign Alarcon, Captain Peguero and eight soldiers are sent out 
to explore. They first direct their steps to a heavy forest 
which lies on the northwest side of the bay. This is ascer¬ 
tained to be about three leagues in width and half a one in 
breadth. The trees are chiefly oaks, with an undergrowth of 
fragrant shrubs. Obtaining a fine view of the bay from the 
heights, they ascertain it to be spacious, land-locked, and 
every way desirable; and returning to the ships, report such 
to be its character. This result being deemed satisfactory by 
the General, he orders a tent pitched on shore for the celebra- 
