TRAVELS IN THE CALIF0RN1AS. 219 
all recovering, and everything promises fairly to the buffeted 
mariners. Their hopes are vain. Other misfortunes are in 
reserve, more frightful than any they have encountered. For 
just before they reach the bay of Concepcion, a storm comes 
up from the north-east so very suddenly, that they have 
barely time to furl the topsails and reef the foresail, before its 
fury reaches them. The lightning falls around them, as if it 
would scorch an ocean to ashes, and the thunder-peals shake 
the firmament; the rain falls like the pouring of an upper 
sea, and the wind ploughs the ocean into mountains! In the 
height of this raging war, the terrified mariners discover a 
water-spout not more than a league distant, travelling directly 
toward the ship, with the speed of the wind ! They fall upon 
their knees before the cross, and implore the protection oi 
“ Our Lady,” and their patron saints. They spare neither 
prayers, vows, nor entreaties! And suddenly when the foe is 
almost upon them, the wind shifts and drives it among the 
thirsty mountains of California. It discharges its devastating 
energies upon their barren sands and rocks ! Padre Ugarte 
says, that among all the dangers of the voyage, this was the 
time of greatest consternation. 
About the first of September, the vessel comes to anchor 
in the bay of Concepcion; and they repair in boats to Mulege, 
to partake the hospitality of Padre Sistiaga. After spending 
about two weeks in recruiting the sick, they return to their 
voyage, and soon after arrive at Loretto. To their great joy 
they find the pinnace has arrived four days in advance of 
them. Thus ends this eventful and important voyage. It 
serves to satisfy the Padres of many things which before were 
doubtful; namely, that on the coast of California are some 
few watering places near the shore; that the Indians are 
kind, gentle, and willing to be instructed; while those on the 
main coast, east of the Gulf, are sluggish, ungenerous, and 
unwilling to enter into any intercourse with the whites. They 
are also now convinced that California is no island, but a 
