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NATIVES AND “BUNGOES”—CRESCENT CITY ARRIVES—WE SAIL INTO THE MOUTH OF THE 
RIVER—PREPARE FOR A FIGHT—FASHIONS AND FORTIFICATIONS—AN HONEST ALCALDE 
—NON-FULFILLMENT OF CONTRACTS. 
Our attention was first attracted to the natives who were 
rowing off to us in 11 bungoes,” or canoes of immense size, each 
manned by eight, ten, or twelve natives, apparently in a state 
of nudity. Their manner of propelling their craft was as novel 
as their appearance was ludicrous. They rise simultaneously, 
stepping up on a high* seat, and, uttering a peculiar cry, throw 
themselves back on their oars, and resume their former seats. 
This is done with as much uniformity as if they were an entire 
piece of machinery. In the afternoon the Crescent City came 
to anchor, together with several sailing vessels, bringing, in all, 
about one thousand passengers. 
We remained outside until the 17th, when we weighed anchor 
and passed into the mouth, making fast to the right bank, now 
called the American side of the river. We found an abundance 
of water in the channel, but at the' entrance several dangerous 
rocks. As this coast is subject to severe northers, it is an 
extremely difficult port to make. The steamers still anchor 
some two miles out. We found several vessels near the mouth, 
beached and filled. 
It was amusing to see the passengers preparing to make their 
advent on land. It is well understood that no one started for 
California without being thoroughly fortified, and as we had 
arrived at a place, where, as we thought, there must be, at least, 
some fighting to do, our first attention was directed to our armor. 
The revolvers, each man having at least two, were first over¬ 
hauled, and the six barrels charged. These were put in our 
belt, which also contained a bowie knife. A brace of smaller 
