work of soft dull green and archaic pink. The Cas-
tilian rose, full and fluted, and of a chaste and pene-
trating fragrance, hung singly and in clusters on the
pillars of the dwellings, on the barracks and chapel,
from the very roofs; bloomed upon bushes as high
as young trees. The Presidio was as delicately per-
fumed as a lady's bower, and its cannon faced the
ever-changing hues of water and island and hill.

As the party approached, heads of all ages ap-
peared between the vines, and there was a low mur-
mur of irrepressible curiosity and delight.

"We do not see many strangers in this lonely
land," said Arguello apologetically. "And never
before have we had so distinguished a guest as your
excellency. It was always a gala day when ever a
Boston skipper came in with a few bales of goods
and a complexion like the hides we sold him. Now,
alas! they are no longer permitted to enter our
ports. Governor Arrillaga will have none of contra-
band trade and slaying of our otter. And as for
Europeans other than Spaniards, save for an Eng-
lish sea captain now and then, they know naught of
our existence."

But Rezanov had not come to California on the
impulse of a moment. He replied suavely: "There
you are mistaken. Your illustrious father, Don
Jose Mario de Arguello, is well known to us as the