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ted us where to cross。  Our knowledge of the language was limited; but we managed to understand; and to founder through the sand and water; and reached a small adobe…horse on the banks of the Salinas; where we spent the night: The house was a single room; without floor or glass; only a rude door; and window with bars。  Not a particle of food but meat; yet the man and woman entertained us with the language of lords put themselves; their house; and every thing; at our  〃disposition;〃 and made little barefoot children dance for our entertainment。  We made our supper of beef; and slept on a bullock's hide on the dirt…floor。  In the morning we crossed the Salinas Plain; about fifteen miles of level ground; taking a shot occasionally at wild…geese; which abounded there; and entering the well…wooded valley that comes out from the foot of the Gavillano。 We had cruised about all day; and it was almost dark when we reached the house of a Senor Gomez; father of those who at Monterey had performed the parts of Adam and Eve。  His house was a two…story adobe; and had a fence in front。  It was situated well up among the foot…hills of the Gavillano; and could not be seen until within a few yards。  We hitched our horses to the fence and went in just as Gomez was about to sit down to a tempting supper of stewed hare and tortillas。  We were officers and caballeros and could not be ignored。  After turning our horses to grass; at his invitation we joined him at supper。  The allowance; though ample for one; was rather short for three; and I thought the Spanish grandiloquent politeness of Gomez; who was fat and old; was not over…cordial。 However; down we sat; and I was helped to a dish of rabbit; with what I thought to be an abundant sauce of tomato。  Taking a good mouthful; I felt as though I had taken liquid fire; the tomato was chile colorado; or red pepper; of the purest kind。  It nearly killed me; and I saw Gomez's eyes twinkle; for he saw that his share of supper was increased。 I contented myself with bits of the meat; and an abundant supply of tortillas。  Ord was better case…hardened; and stood it better。  We staid at Gomez's that night; sleeping; as all did; on the ground; and the next morning we crossed the hill by the bridle…path to the old Mission of San Juan Bautista。  The Mission was in a beautiful valley; very level; and bounded on all aides by hills。  The plain was covered with wild…grasses and mustard; and had abundant water。  Cattle and horses were seen in all directions; and it was manifest that the priests who first occupied the country were good judges of land。 It was Sunday; and all the people; about; a hundred; had come to church from the country round about。  Ord was somewhat of a Catholic; and entered the church with his clanking spars and kneeled down; attracting the attention of all; for he had on the uniform of an American officer。  As soon as church was out; all rushed to the various sports。  I saw the priest; with his gray robes tucked up; playing at billiards; others were cock fighting; and some at horse…racing。  My horse had become lame; and I resolved to buy another。  As soon as it was known that I wanted a horse; several came for me; and displayed their horses by dashing past and hauling them up short。  There was a fine black stallion that attracted my notice; and; after trying him myself; I concluded a purchase。  I left with the seller my own lame horse; which he was to bring to me at Monterey; when I was to pay him ten dollars for the other。  The Mission of San Juan bore the marks of high prosperity at a former period; and had a good pear…orchard just under the plateau where stood the church。  After spending the day; Ord and I returned to Monterey; about thirty…five miles; by a shorter route; Thus passed the month of February; and; though there were no mails or regular expresses; we heard occasionally from Yerba Buena and Sutter's Fort to the north; and from the army and navy about Los Angeles at the south。  We also knew that a quarrel had grown up at Los Angeles; between General Kearney; Colonel Fremont; and Commodore Stockton; as to the right to control affairs in California。  Kearney had with him only the fragments of the two companies of dragoons; which had come across from New Mexico with him; and had been handled very roughly by Don Andreas Pico; at San Pascual; in which engagement Captains Moore and Johnson; and Lieutenant Hammond; were killed; and Kearney himself wounded。 There remained with him Colonel Swords; quartermaster; Captain H。 S。 Turner; First Dragoons; Captains Emory and Warner; Topographical Engineers; Assistant Surgeon Griffin; and Lieutenant J。 W。 Davidson。  Fremont had marched down from the north with a battalion of volunteers; Commodore Stockton had marched up from San Diego to Los Angeles; with General Kearney; his dragoons; and a battalion of sailors and marines; and was soon joined there by Fremont; and they jointly received the surrender of the insurgents under Andreas Pico。  We also knew that General R。 B。 Mason had been ordered to California; that Colonel John D。 Stevenson was coming out to California with a regiment of New York Volunteers; that Commodore Shubrick had orders also from the Navy Department to control matters afloat; that General Kearney; by virtue of his rank; had the right to control all the land…forces in the service of the United States; and that Fremont claimed the same right by virtue of a letter he had received from Colonel Benton; then a Senator; and a man of great influence with Polk's Administration。  So that among the younger officers the query was very natural; 〃Who the devil is Governor of California? 〃 One day I was on board the Independence frigate; dining with the ward…room officers; when a war…vessel was reported in the offing; which in due time was made out to be the Cyane; Captain DuPont。  After dinner; we were all on deck; to watch the new arrival; the ships meanwhile exchanging signals; which were interpreted that General Kearney was on board。  As the Cyane approached; a boat was sent to meet her; with Commodore Shubrick's flag…officer; Lieutenant Lewis; to carry the usual messages; and to invite General Kearney to come on board the Independence as the guest of Commodore Shubrick。  Quite a number of officers were on deck; among them  Lieutenants Wise; Montgomery Lewis; William Chapman; and others; noted wits and wags of the navy。  In due time the Cyane anchored close by; and our boat was seen returning with a stranger in the stern…sheets; clothed in army blue。  As the boat came nearer; we saw that it was General Kearney with an old dragoon coat on; and an army…cap; to which the general had added the broad vizor; cut from a full…dress hat; to shade his face and eyes against the glaring sun of the Gila region。  Chapman exclaimed: 〃Fellows; the problem is solved; there is the grand…vizier (visor) by G…d!  He is Governor of California。〃

All hands received the general with great heartiness; and he soon passed out of our sight into the commodore's cabin。  Between Commodore Shubrick and General Kearney existed from that time forward the greatest harmony and good feeling; and no further trouble existed as to the controlling power on the Pacific coast。 General Kearney had dispatched from San Diego his quartermaster; Colonel Swords; to the Sandwich Islands; to purchase clothing and stores for his men; and had come up to Monterey; bringing with him Turner and Warner; leaving Emory and the company of dragoons below。 He was delighted to find a full strong company of artillery; subject to his orders; well supplied with clothing and money in all respects; and; much to the disgust of our Captain Tompkins; he took half of his company clothing and part of the money held by me for the relief of his worn…out and almost naked dragoons left behind at Los Angeles。  In a few days he moved on shore; took up his quarters at Larkin's house; and established his headquarters; with Captain Turner as his adjutant general。  One day Turner and Warner were at my tent; and; seeing a store…bag full of socks; drawers; and calico shirts; of which I had laid in a three years' supply; and of which they had none; made known to me their wants; and I told them to help themselves; which Turner and W

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