Leaving the Mission, we returned to the village, going nearly all the way on a full run.  The California horses have no medium gait, which is pleasant, between walking and running; for as there are no streets and parades, they have no need of the genteel trot, and their riders usually keep them at the top of their speed until they are tired, and then let them rest themselves by walking.  The fine air of the afternoon, the rapid gait of the animals, who seemed almost to fly over the ground, and the excitement and novelty of the motion to us, who had been so long confined on shipboard, were exhilarating beyond expression, and we felt willing to ride all day long.  Coming into the village, we found things looking very lively.  The Indians, who always have a holiday on Sunday, were engaged at playing a kind of running game of ball, on a level piece of ground, near the houses.  The old ones sat down in a ring, looking on, while the young ones—­ men, boys, and girls—­ were chasing the ball, and throwing it with all their might.  Some of the girls ran like greyhounds.  At every accident, or remarkable feat, the old people set up a deafening screaming and clapping of hands.  Several blue jackets were reeling about among the houses, which showed that the pulperias had been well patronized.  One or two of the sailors had got on horseback, but being rather indifferent horsemen, and the Mexicans having given them vicious beasts, they were soon thrown, much to the amusement of the people.  A half-dozen Sandwich-Islanders, from the hide-houses and the two brigs, bold riders, were dashing about on the full gallop, hallooing and laughing like so many wild men.

It was now nearly sundown, and Stimson and I went into a house and sat quietly down to rest ourselves before going to the beach.  Several people soon collected to see ``los marineros ingleses,’’ and one of them, a young woman, took a great fancy to my pocket-handkerchief, which was a large silk one that I had before going to sea, and a handsomer one than they had been in the habit of seeing.  Of course, I gave it to her, which brought me into high favor; and we had a present of some pears and other fruits, which we took down to the beach with us.  When we came to leave the house, we found that our horses, which we had tied at the door, were both gone.  We had paid for them to ride down to the beach, but they were not to be found.  We went to the man of whom we hired them, but he only shrugged his shoulders, and to our question, ``Where are the horses?’’ only answered, ``Quien sabe?’’ but as he was very easy, and made no inquiries for the saddles, we saw that he knew very well where they were.  After a little trouble, determined not to walk to the beach,—­ a distance of three miles,—­ we procured two, at four reals more apiece, with two Indian boys to run behind and bring them back.  Determined to have ``the go’’ out of the horses, for our trouble, we went down at full speed, and were on the beach in a few minutes.  Wishing to make