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Rezanov by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton
page 128 of 289 (44%)
--we call it the Mouth of the Gulf of the Faral-
lones--the valley sank, the sea flowed in, only these
hills that are islands now keeping their heads above
the flood. Perhaps it is true, for Drake was close
to this bay for a long while and never saw it, and
it would have given him a better shelter than the
little harbor he found a few miles higher on the
coast. I believe it was not here. Madre de Dios,
I hope California shakes no more. She would--is
it not true, Excellency?--be the most perfect coun-
try in all the world did she not have the devil in
her."

"Are you afraid of earthquakes?" asked Rezanov,
who once more had transferred his comprehensive
gaze from battery sites to her face.

"I cross myself. It is like feeling your grave
turn over. But I fancy the poor old earth is like
the people on her; she gets tired of being good and
is all the naughtier for having been sober too long.
Don Vincente Rivera is an example; he is cold,
haughty, solemn, stern to others and himself, as
you see him; but once in a while--Madre de Dios!
The Presidio does not sleep for three nights!"

Rezanov laughed heartily, then turned abruptly
away. "Come," he said. "I had almost forgotten.
Will you ask the others to go to the cabin, while I
give orders that dinner shall be served on your
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