146 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
covered with ash, willow, and other trees, well known to the 
Spaniards. This river they are very desirous to explore, 
supposing it will conduct them to the great city reported by 
some Dutch mariners, to exist in this region ; or that it is the 
Strait of Anian, connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific 1 
The worthy pilot, however, has no chance of immortalizing 
himself by running through Smith’s river to the city of Man¬ 
hattan. The current is against his course and his fame ; and 
he turns back with the determination of sailing to Acapulco 
without unnecessary delay. 
Meantime the Capitana is making all possible speed for 
La Paz, the harbor selected for her winter quarters. Oc¬ 
casionally, in her progress, she is visited by the trading canoes of 
the Indians. But nothing of moment befals her save that her 
crew grow more and more sickly, till she reaches a large island 
lying east of Santa Catarina, when only three persons beside 
the Captain-General are able to keep the deck. There is 
no conversation, no mirth on board! Orders are conveyed in 
the quiet tone of conversation! The good Padre Andrez 
moves quietly about among the sick, the sole physician, 
nurse, priest and confessor of that gloomy hospital! Now he 
hears medicine to the sick, and smoothes their pillow; now he 
administers the extreme unction, and anoints with holy oil 
the dying; now he seals the lips and closes the eyes of the 
dead ! Prayers and groans alone are heard; except when 
the burial service is hurriedly chanted, and the sudden plunge 
announces that some one is gone from among them for ever! 
These terrible afflictions induce the General to abandon his 
intention of wintering at La Paz, and to run directly for the 
islands of Mazatlan, where he can procure better treatment 
for his dying crew. On the third of February he reaches the 
island of San Hilario and passes on to Cerros. Here he stops 
and obtains a supply of wood and water. On his departure, 
he leaves letters and signals for the frigate, in case she should 
touch there, and turns his prow for Cape San Lucas. He 
reaches it on the fourteenth of February, and standing directly 
