This Is One Of
Several Instances I Have Noticed Of The Preserving Quality Of The
California Climate.
Here, too, was Henry Mellus, who came out with
me before the mast in the Pilgrim, and left the brig to be agent's
clerk on shore.
He had experienced varying fortunes here, and was
now married to a Mexican lady, and had a family. I dined with
him, and in the afternoon he drove me round to see the vineyards,
the chief objects in this region. The vintage of last year was
estimated at half a million of gallons. Every year new square
miles of ground are laid down to vineyards, and the Pueblo promises
to be the centre of one of the largest wine-producing regions in
the world. Grapes are a drug here, and I found a great abundance
of figs, olives, peaches, pears, and melons. The climate is well
suited to these fruits, but is too hot and dry for successful
wheat crops.
Towards evening, we started off in the stage coach, with again
our relays of six mad horses, and reached the creek before dark,
though it was late at night before we got on board the steamer,
which was slowly moving her wheels, under way for San Diego.
As we skirted along the coast, Wilson and I recognized, or thought
we did, in the clear moonlight, the rude white Mission of San Juan
Capistrano, and its cliff, from which I had swung down by a pair of
halyards to save a few hides, - a boy who could not be prudential,
and who caught at every chance for adventure.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 593 of 618
Words from 162613 to 162882
of 170236
