TRAVELS IN THE CALI FOR NIAS. 
213 
out his person, from the chest downward, he reluctantly fore¬ 
goes the pleasure of complying with their invitation. These 
pains have followed him occasionally since the severe expo¬ 
sure which he endured in the harbor of Seris. The Indians, 
seeing that illness prevents his leaving the ship, construct a 
number of small light floats, and send aboard a deputation of 
forty or fifty persons, requesting that he will occupy, during 
his indisposition, a house which they have erected for him on 
the beach. The good Padre cannot refuse this proffer of 
sympathy, and though every motion is agony, gives direc¬ 
tions to be placed in the boat and rowed ashore. On landing, 
he is treated with great consideration. The islanders have 
formed themselves in double file from the waterside to the 
house; the men on one side and the women on the other. 
Between these lines he is borne to the dwelling. It is a 
small wigwam constructed of green boughs, fronting plea¬ 
santly on the open bay. Here the suffering Padre being 
seated, the people who have lined his pathway, come in one 
by one, first the men, then the women, and passing along, 
bow their heads that he may lay his hand upon them, and 
bless them. The Padre conceals his bodily agonies with 
great heroism, and receives them with much pleasantness and 
regard. 
This ceremony over, the islanders gather about for instruc¬ 
tion. He cannot remain sufficient time to do this ; and re¬ 
commending them to go to the Mission del Populo, and bring 
thither an Indian teacher, who will answer their inquiries and 
teach them the precepts of the gospel, he re-embarks and 
continues his survey. He soon afterward discovers a small 
open bay, where his little fleet comes to anchor. His sup¬ 
plies are now nearly exhausted. It therefore becomes him to 
hasten his explorations. Accordingly he sends the pinnace 
to survey the coast by sea, and three men to examine it by 
land. The latter return on the second day. They have 
taken an outline of the neighboring land, and have seen a 
pool of stagnant water, and some mule tracks in the path 
