Chapters 13-16 Summary and Analysis

For ten days men, women, and children examine Pilgrim's varied cargo. Californians are "shiftless," importing all needs at inflated prices. Spanish blood is required not to belong to the lower caste. Among the elite, women are carefully guarded. Both sexes enjoy dressing fashionably and speaking in a distinctive manner. Silver and hides are the only currency. Dana begins learning Spanish and, falling back on Latin and French, is able to communicate. He becomes the ship's messenger, allowing him contact with the locals. American and British permanent settlers control trade. For the second Sunday in a row, shore liberty is denied the crew. Foster tries to demand the right but is put in his place by the captain; Foster changes greatly.

Chapter 14 brings Pilgrim back to Santa Barbara, where land parties perform "head-work," carrying heavy dried, folded hides out to...