274 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
rudder, and otherwise disabled from proceeding on her voyage. 
So that the good Padres, with their ignorant, helpless de¬ 
pendents, are doomed to another tedious famine. For eight 
months they subsist almost exclusively on a scanty supply of 
milk. But in the meantime, food and aid and kind hearts are 
on their way to them from Mexico. The indefatigable Padre 
Junipero toils faithfully till September, 1773, when, with 
missionaries, officers, soldiers, and a large supply of necessa¬ 
ries, consisting of maize, beans, flour and clothing, to the 
value of $12,000, he joyfully embarks for California. He 
has also procured the despatch of an expedition, under the 
command of Captain Juan Bautista Anza, through the interior 
by the rivers Gila and Colorado, in order that the disasters 
by sea which have so often overwhelmed the missions with 
disappointment, famine and despair, may in future be averted 
The good Padre himself proceeds to San Bias, and freighting 
the packet San Antonio and the new frigate Santiago with 
his supplies, embarks on his return in January of 1774, and 
after forty-nine days’ sail puts into San Diego. 
Monterey is the place of destination; and Padre Juni¬ 
pero proceeds thither over land, that he may visit the various 
missions on his route. Anza’s land expedition is there : and 
the Padre rejoices to learn that there is no obstacle to a land 
communication between Mexico and Monterey. But the 
pleasure arising from this discovery is greatly lessened by the 
announcement that there are no provisions among the people, 
and that famine is rapidly wasting the energies and hopes of 
his new establishments. The good man’s heart is wrung by 
this tale of suffering, and he hastens on with a few supplies; 
but finds at his arrival on the eleventh of May, that the 
frigate he left in San Diego is two days in advance of him, 
and that the hungry are already fed. Joy and welcome every¬ 
where meet the Padre President ; the Friars hail him as a 
loved brother and strong companion ; the poor Indians as a 
father and protector. Thus strengthened and encouraged, the 
