There are also large inclosures hedged in by the prickly-pear (cactus), which grows to an enormous size, and makes an impervious barrier against man or beast.  The stalks of some of these plants are of the thickness of a man’s body, and grow to the height of fifteen feet.  A juicy fruit is produced by the prickly-pear, named tuna, from which a beverage is sometimes made, called calinche.  It has a pleasant flavour, as has also the fruit, which, when ripe, is blood-red.  A small quantity of pounded wheat was found here, which, being purchased, was served out to the troops, about a pound to the man.  Frijoles and pumpkins were also obtained, delicacies of no common order.

December 16.—­A court-martial was convened this morning for the trial of Pico, the principal prisoner, on the charge, I understood, of the forfeiture of his parole which had been taken on a former occasion.  The sentence of the court was, that he should be shot or hung, I do not know which.  A rumour is current among the population here, that there has been an engagement between a party of Americans and Californians, near Los Angeles, in which the former were defeated with the loss of thirty men killed.

December 17.—­Cool, with a hazy sky.  While standing in one of the corridors this morning, a procession of females passed by me, headed by a lady of fine appearance and dressed with remarkable taste and neatness, compared with those who followed her.  Their rebosos concealed the faces of most of them, except the leader, whose beautiful features, dare say, she thought (and justly) required no concealment.  They proceeded to the quarters of Colonel Fremont, and their object, I understood, was to petition for the reprieve or pardon of Pico, who had been condemned to death by the court-martial yesterday, and whose execution was expected to take place this morning.  Their intercession was successful, as no execution took place, and in a short time all the prisoners were discharged, and the order to saddle up and march given.  We resumed our march at ten o’clock, and encamped just before sunset in a small but picturesque and fertile valley timbered with oak, so near the coast that the roar of the surf breaking against the shore could be heard distinctly.  Distance seven miles.

December 18.—­Clear, with a delightful temperature.  Before the sun rose the grass was covered with a white frost.  The day throughout has been calm and beautiful.  A march of four miles brought us to the shore of a small indentation in the coast of the Pacific, where vessels can anchor, and boats can land when the wind is not too fresh.  The surf is now rolling and foaming with prodigious energy—­breaking upon the beach in long lines one behind the other, and striking the shore like cataracts.  The hills and plains are verdant with a carpet of fresh grass, and the scattered live-oaks on all sides, appearing like orchards of fruit-trees, give to the country an old and cultivated aspect.  The mountains bench away on our left, the low hills rising in gentle conical forms, beyond which are the more elevated and precipitous peaks covered with snow.  We encamped about three o’clock near the rancho of Captain Dana, in a large and handsome valley well watered by an arroyo.