204 
ft 
SCENES I N THE PACIFIC. 
from Mulege to the timber, fells it, saws it into planks, trans¬ 
ports them to Mulege, and in four months builds a vessel and 
launches with his own hands, in September, 1720, the first 
ship ever built on the northwest coast of North America!! 
In this herculean labor the Padre has employed his entire 
means. The little valuables sent him by his friends in Mexi¬ 
co and elsewhere, have not been spared. Even his wardrobe 
has been freely distributed among the laborers. He himself 
has swung the axe, has used the whip-saw, the chisel and the 
hammer ; he has risen with the dawn, and invoking the smiles 
of Heaven and the aid of ministering spirits in his toil of soul 
and body, kindly called his men to their tasks. They famish, 
and so does he. And when the fatigues of each day are over, 
the jutting rocks are their resting-place; a few hides their 
bed. Yet the ship is built. High on her stern, firmly affixed 
to her bulwarks, is raised the symbol of their faith. Her 
name, how appropriate, is, the “ Triumph of the Cross.” 
During the progress of the work, Jay me Bravo, as purveyor 
of the missions, goes to the coast of Cinaloa to procure goods 
and provisions. On his arrival there he is surprised to find 
letters from the Provincial of Mexico, ordering him to Gua- 
dalaxara for ordination. He accordingly ships his supplies 
and travels with all speed to that city; is admitted to holy 
orders; and by direction of his superior, proceeds to Mexico 
to procure aid for the missions. 
His energetic labors are crowned with success. On the 
fifteenth of March, 1720, the council orders a bark built, to 
sail between Accapulco and Peru, to be delivered to Padre 
Jay me Bravo, together with the arms and stores which he 
desires. The means of founding a new mission at La Paz, 
are also furnished by the Marquis de Villa Puente ; and Padre 
Bravo is designated as its priest and founder. With a new 
ship, therefore, well laden with supplies, and with new hopes 
for all the missions, and especially well furnished for his new 
work at La Paz, the Padre Jayme Bravo sails from Accapul¬ 
co in July, 1720, and in August of the same year enters the 
