[Illustration:  ARCHES, SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY DEPOT, SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.]

[Illustration:  FACHADA OF MISSION CHAPEL AT LOS ANGELES.]

On the walls, the wainscot line is set off with the sinuous body of the serpent, which not only lends itself well to such a purpose of ornamentation, but was a symbolic reminder to the Indians of that old serpent, the devil, the father of lies and evil, who beguiled our first parents in the Garden of Eden.

In the ruins of the San Fernando church faint traces of the decorations oL the altar can still be seen in two simple rounded columns, with cornices above.

At San Juan Capistrano, on the east side of the quadrangle, in the northeast corner, is a small room; and in one corner of this is a niche for a statue, the original decorations therein still remaining.  It is weather-stained, and the rain has washed the adobe in streaks over some of it; yet it is interesting.  It consists of a rude checkerboard design, or, rather, of a diagonal lozenge pattern in reds and yellows.

There are also a few remnants of the mural distemper paintings in the altar zone of the ruined church.

CHAPTER XXXVI

HOW TO REACH THE MISSIONS

SAN DIEGO.  From Los Angeles to San Diego, Santa Fe Railway, 126 miles, one way fare $3.85; round trip $5.00, good ten days; or $7.00, good 30 days, with stop-over privileges at Oceanside, which allows a visit to San Luis Rey and Pala (via Oceanside) and San Juan Capistrano.  Or steamship, $3.00 and $2.25; round trip, first class, $5.25.  The Mission is six miles from San Diego, and a carriage must be taken all the way, or the electric car to the bluff, fare five cents; thence by Bluff Road, on burro, two miles, fare fifty cents.  The better way is to drive by Old Town and return by the Bluff Road.

SAN LUIS REY.  From Los Angeles to Oceanside, Santa Fe Railway, 85 miles, fare $2.55; round trip, ten days, $4.60.  Take carriage from livery, or walk to Mission, 4 miles.  The trip to Pala may be taken at the same time, though sleeping accommodations are uncertain at Pala.  Meals may be had at one or two of the Indian houses, as a rule.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO.  From Los Angeles to Capistrano, Santa Fe Railway, 58 miles, fare $1.70.  The Mission is close to the station.  Hotel accommodations are poor.

SAN GABRIEL.  From Los Angeles to San Gabriel, Southern Pacific Railway, 8 miles, fare 25 cents.  Or Pacific electric car from Los Angeles, 25 cents.

SAN FERNANDO.  From Los Angeles to San Fernando, Southern Pacific Railway, 21 miles, fare 65 cents.  Thence by carriage or on foot or horseback to the Mission, 1 1/2 miles.  Livery and hotel at San Fernando.

SAN BUENAVENTURA.  From Los Angeles to San Buenaventura, Southern Pacific Railway, 76 miles, fare $2.30.  Or steamship, $2.35, special, Saturday to Monday, $3.00 round trip.  Electric cars from Southern Pacific Station pass the Mission.