Diego being the oldest. Each mission had its priests, a few Spanish
or Mexican soldiers, and scores, hundreds and sometimes thousands
of Indian converts who received a scant support and some religious
instruction.

The Mission of San Gabriel was by no means the largest in
California, and yet at the time of Carson's visit it owned 70,000
head of cattle, 200 horses, 3,000 mares, hundreds of mules, oxen
and sheep, while the vineyards produced 600 barrels of wine every
year.

Those old sovereigns of the soil dispensed hospitality without
stint to all who knocked at their gates. When the trappers caught
sight of the Mission, as they rode out from the wilderness, they
knew what awaited them in the way of entertainment. They were
treated right royally, but remained only one day.

Not far away they reached another Mission of less extent than the
former, but, without halt, they pressed steadily forward toward the
Sacramento River. The character of the section changed altogether.
It was exceedingly fertile and game was so abundant that they feasted
to their heart's content. When fully rested, they proceeded to the
San Joaquin river down which they began trapping.

While thus employed, they were surprised to discover signs of
another trapping party near them. They wondered where they came
from and it did not take them long to learn that their neighbors
were a company of trappers belonging to the Hudson Bay Company
-- that enormous corporation, founded two centuries before, whose
agents and employees tramp over British America, far to the northward