jutting into the plain, and taking the supposed concealed party of the enemy on their flank.  It was, however, found impracticable to cross the hills with the cannon; and, returning to the plain, the march was continued, the Californians still prancing and performing their antics in our faces.  Our horses were so poor and feeble that it was impossible to chase them with any hope of success.  As we proceeded, they retreated.  Some of the Indian scouts, among whom were a Delaware named Tom, who distinguished himself in the engagement near San Juan, and a Californian Indian named Gregorio, rode towards them; and two or three guns were discharged on both sides, but without any damage, the parties not being within dangerous gun-shot distance of each other.  The Californians then formed themselves in a body, and soon disappeared behind some hills on our right.  We encamped about four o’clock in the valley, the wind blowing almost a hurricane, and the dust flying so as nearly to blind us.  Distance 9 miles.

January 7.—­Continuing our march up the valley, we encamped near the rancho of Carrillo, where we found an abundance of corn, wheat, and frijoles.  The house was shut up, having been deserted by its proprietor, who is said to be connected with the rebellion.  Californian scouts were seen occasionally to-day on the summits of the hills south of us.  Distance 7 miles.

January 8.—­Another tempestuous day.  I do not remember ever to have experienced such disagreeable effects from the wind and the clouds of dust in which we were constantly enveloped, driving into our faces without intermission.  We encamped this afternoon in a grove of willows near a rancho, where, as yesterday, we found corn and beans in abundance.  Our horses, consequently, fare well, and we fare better than we have done.  One-fourth of the battalion, exclusive of the regular guard, is kept under arms during the night, to be prepared against surprises and night-attacks.  Distance 12 miles.

January 9.—­Early this morning Captain Hamley, accompanied by a Californian as a guide, came into camp, with despatches from Commodore Stockton.  The exact purport of these despatches I never learned, but it was understood that the commodore, in conjunction with General Kearny, was marching upon Los Angeles, and that, if they had not already reached and taken that town (the present capital of California), they were by this time in its neighbourhood.  Captain Hamley passed, last night, the encampment of a party of Californians in our rear.  He landed from a vessel at Santa Barbara, and from thence followed us to this place by land.  We encamped this afternoon at a rancho, situated on the edge of a fertile and finely watered plain of considerable extent, where we found corn, wheat, and frijoles in great abundance.  The rancho was owned and occupied by an aged Californian, of commanding and respectable appearance; I could not but feel compassion for the venerable old man, whose sons were now all absent and engaged in the war, while he, at home and unsupported, was suffering the unavoidable inconveniences and calamities resulting from an army being quartered upon him.