General Morreno was at first angry, and would have sent the poor devil to jail, but Roche was so odd and made so many artful representations of the evils he had suffered on board on account of his being a Catholic, that the clergy, and, in fact, all Monterey, interfered.  Roche soon became a valuable acquisition to the community; he was an indefatigable dancer, and a good fiddler.  Besides, he had already accustomed himself to the Mexican manners and language, and in a horse or buffalo hunt none were more successful.  He would tell long stories to the old women about the wonders of Erin, the miracles of St. Patrick, and about the stone at Blarney.  In fact, he was a favourite with every one, and would have become rich and happy, could he have settled.  Unfortunately for him, his wild spirit of adventure did not allow him to enjoy the quiet of a Montereyan life, and hearing that there was a perspective of getting his head broken in the “Settlement of the Grandees,” he asked permission to join my party.

I consented that Roche should accompany me:  with my servant and the Indians, we embarked on board of the schooner.  Many were the presents I received from the good people; what with pistols, powder, horses, fusils, knives, and swords, I could have armed a whole legion.  The Governor, his daughters, and all those that could get room in the boats, accompanied me as far as the northern part of the bay, and it was with a swelling heart that I bade my farewell to them all.

CHAPTER VII.

Nothing could have been more fortunate than our proceeding by sea.  On the fourth day we were lying to, at a quarter of a mile from the shore, exactly under the parallel of 39 deg. north latitude, and at the southern point of a mountain called the Crooked Back-bone.  The Indians first landed in a small canoe we had provided ourselves with, to see if the coast was clear; and in the evening the schooner was far on her way back, while we were digging a cachette to conceal the baggage, which we could not carry.  Even my saddle was wrapped up in a piece of canvas, and deposited in a deep bed of shale.  Among other things presented to me in Monterey, were two large boxes covered with tin, and containing English fire-works, which, in the course of events, performed prodigies, and saved many scalps when all hope of succour had been entirely given up.  The Montereyans are amazingly fond of these fire-works, and every vessel employed in the California trade for hides has always a large supply of them.

When all our effects were concealed, we proceeded first in an easterly, and next in a north-westerly direction, in the hope of coming across some of the horses belonging to the tribe.  We had reckoned right.  At the break of day we entered a natural pasture of clover, in which hundreds of them were sleeping and grazing; but as we had walked more than thirty miles, we determined to take repose before we should renew our journey.