join my party.

I consented that Roche should accompany me: with my servant and the
Indians, we embarked on board of the schooner. Many were the presents I
received from the good people; what with pistols, powder, horses,
fusils, knives, and swords, I could have armed a whole legion. The
Governor, his daughters, and all those that could get room in the boats,
accompanied me as far as the northern part of the bay, and it was with a
swelling heart that I bade my farewell to them all.




CHAPTER VII.


Nothing could have been more fortunate than our proceeding by sea. On
the fourth day we were lying to, at a quarter of a mile from the shore,
exactly under the parallel of 39° north latitude, and at the southern
point of a mountain called the Crooked Back-bone. The Indians first
landed in a small canoe we had provided ourselves with, to see if the
coast was clear; and in the evening the schooner was far on her way
back, while we were digging a cachette to conceal the baggage, which we
could not carry. Even my saddle was wrapped up in a piece of canvas, and
deposited in a deep bed of shale. Among other things presented to me in
Monterey, were two large boxes covered with tin, and containing English
fire-works, which, in the course of events, performed prodigies, and
saved many scalps when all hope of succour had been entirely given up.
The Montereyans are amazingly fond of these fire-works, and every vessel
employed in the California trade for hides has always a large supply