Again the journey to the west was resumed.  The account we have of their movements is so meagre that it is impossible to follow with accuracy the route they traversed.  They followed for some leagues a river, when suddenly its waters disappeared.  They apparently sank beneath the surface of the quicksands.  Still there were indications which enabled them to follow the course of the river, until finally it rose again above the surface, and in the open air flowed on to the ocean.

At length they reached the celebrated Catholic Mission of San Gabriel, near the Pacific coast.  The Mission was then in a flourishing condition.  The statistics, published in 1829, indicate a degree of prosperity which seems almost incredible.  More than a thousand Indians were attached to the Mission, and were laboring in its widely-extended fields, tending its herds and cultivating the soil.  The poor Indians, who were often half starved upon the plains, found here light employment, shelter and abundant food.  The statistics to which we refer, state that the Mission had seventy thousand head of cattle, four thousand two hundred horses, four hundred mules, and two hundred and fifty sheep.

These Missions, several of which were established in a line, within about fifty miles of the Pacific coast, belonged to the Spanish government, and were supported by the revenues of the crown.  Animals multiplied with great rapidity upon those luxuriant and almost boundless prairies.  They ranged sometimes, it was said, spreading out over a hundred thousand acres of wonderfully fertile pastures.  There must of course, have been much guess-work in estimating the numbers of these vast herds, generally wandering unattended at their pleasure.  But with such supplies of animal and vegetable food there was no fear of want.  The indolent Indians consequently gathered around the Missions in great numbers.  They were all fond of show, and not unwillingly became such Christians as consists in attending the ceremonies of the church.

The Mission, with its buildings, cultivated fields and vast herds, seemed like the garden of Eden to our weary travellers.  They however, remained here but one day, as they were not on a tour of pleasure but in pursuit of furs.  A day’s travel brought them to another but much smaller Mission, called San Fernando.  Without any delay they pushed on towards the west, their object being to enter the valley of the Sacramento river, where they had been told that beavers could be found in great abundance.  They expected to reach the banks of this now renowned, but then scarcely known river, after a few days’ journey in a northeast direction.  They were now in a delightful region.  The climate was charming.  Brooks of crystal water, and well filled with fishes, often crossed their path.  There was abundant forage for their cattle; and forest and prairie seemed alive with game.

They soon reached the banks of the San Joaquin, a lovely stream flowing northerly and emptying into the Sacramento near its mouth.  There, finding a very eligible camping site, and many indications of beaver in the stream, Mr. Young halted his party, to rest for a few days, and in the meantime to set their traps.  The general character of the scenery around them may be inferred from Mr. Bryant’s description of a similar encampment in his overland journey to California.