XI

He did not talk with her again for several days. He
called in state, but remained only a few moments.
His officers went to several impromptu dances at
the Presidio and Mission, but he pleaded fatigue,
natural in the damaged state of his constitution,
and left the ship only for a gallop over the hills or
down the coast with Luis Arguello.

But he had never felt better. At the end of a
week his pallor had gone, his skin was tanned and
fresh. Even his wretched crew were different men.
They were given much leave on shore, and already
might be seen escorting the serving-women over
the hills in the late afternoon. Rezanov gave them
a long rope, although he knew they must be ger-
minating with a mutinous distaste of the Russian
north; he kept strict watch over them and would
have given a deserter his due without an instant's
pause.

The estafette that had gone with Luis' letters to
Monterey had taken one from Rezanov as well, ask-
ing permission to pay a visit of ceremony to the
Governor. Five days later the plenipotentiary re-
ceived a polite welcome to California, and protest
against another long journey; the humble servant
of the King of Spain would himself go to San