"The arrival of the English in California being soon known through the
country, two persons in the character of ambassadors came to the Admiral
and informed him, in the best manner they were able, that the king would
visit him, if he might be assured of coming in safety. Being satisfied
on this point, a numerous company soon appeared, in front of which was a
very comely person bearing a kind of sceptre, on which hung two crowns,
and three chains of great length. The chains were of bones, and the
crowns of network, curiously wrought with feathers of many colors.

"Next to sceptre-bearer came the king, a handsome, majestic person,
surrounded by a number of tall men dressed in skins, who were followed
by the common people, who, to make the grander appearance, had painted
their faces of various colors; and all of them, even the children, being
loaded with presents.

"The men being drawn up in line of battle, the Admiral stood ready to
receive the king within the fences of his tent. The company halted at a
distance, and the sceptre-bearer made a speech half an hour long; at the
end of which he began singing and dancing, in which he was followed by
the king and all the people; who, continuing to sing and dance, came
quite up to the tent; when, sitting down, the king took off his crown of
feathers, placed it on the Admiral's head, and put on him the other
ensigns of royalty; and it is said he made him a solemn tender of his
whole kingdom; all which the Admiral accepted in the name of the Queen
his sovereign, in hope that these proceedings might, one time or other,
contribute to the advantage of England.

"The people, dispersing themselves among the Admiral's tents, professed
the utmost admiration and esteem for the English, whom they looked upon
as more than mortal; and accordingly prepared to offer sacrifices to