TRAVELS IN THE CALIFORNIAS. 
265 
removed. The ceremony of consecrating the location of this 
mission is worthy of being known. The soldiers and mule¬ 
teers clear away the rubbish from the future site of the church 
—hang seven bells upon the trees, and form a grand cross. 
This is the work of the first day. On the second, Padre Ju- 
nipero, invested in robes, blesses the holy water, and with 
it sprinkles the site of the church and the cross. The latter, 
adorned with flowers, is then erected in front of the conse¬ 
crated area. This mission then receives its name, San Josef. 
The first Mass is now chanted—and Padre Junipero pronoun¬ 
ces a discourse upon the coming of the Holy Ghost. The 
sacrifice of the Mass is now concluded, and Veni Creator is 
sung. In the progress of all this there is a constant dis¬ 
charge of musketry. The smoke of the burning powder is 
the only incense from the mountain altars of this day’s wor¬ 
ship. 
They leave Yellacata on the 15th of May, 1769, and direct 
their course northwardly towards the mouth of the Colorado ; 
but after travelling above thirty-five leagues, their progress is 
intercepted by a steep and rocky mountain, over which 
their cattle cannot pass. They therefore return southward as 
far as the frontier mission, San Borja. Having rested them¬ 
selves and their animals a few days, they take a route in a 
north-westerly direction. Forty-six days do they travel. 
The southern half of their way passes through a sterile rocky 
country with occasional fruitful valleys skirted with timber. 
The northern half is plentifully supplied with streams of water 
running among rich savannas clothed with the wild grasses, 
roses, and vines bearing a large sour grape. The timber is 
not abundant—but on the hills the deep loamy soil frequently 
produces the live oak and other valuable trees, and the vales 
which run up from the seaside, are often clad with heavy 
forests. Many Indians meet them. The males, both old and 
young, are entirely naked, while the females of all ages are 
covered with rush mats and skins from their breasts down¬ 
ward. Their food consists of seeds, fruits, and fish. They 
38 
