1792. Further efforts are now making at this million, to break through the
_ - ■ gloomy cloud of infenlibility in which at prefent thefe people are enveloped,
by giving them new habitations ; an indulgence that will moll
probably be followed by others, as their minds appear capable o f receiving
them. A certain number of the moll intelligent, tra&able, and
indultrious perforis, were felefited from the group, and were'employed
in a pleafant and well-adapted fpot of land facing the million, under
the direflion and inftru&ion of the fathers, in building for tliemfelves a
range o f fmall, but comparatively fpeaking comfortable and convenient
habitations. The walls, though not fo thick, are conftrufled in
the fame manner with thofe defcribed in the fquare at St. Francifco,
and the houfes are formed after the European falhion, each confining;
of two commodious rooms helow, with garrets over them. At the back;
of each houfe a fpace o f ground is inelofed, fufficient for cultivating
a large quantity o f vegetables, for rearing poultry, and for other uieful
and domeftic purpofes. The buildings were in a Hate o f forwardnefs,
and when finilhed, each houfe was defigned to accommodate one diftinft.
family only; and it is greatly to be wilhed, for the credit of the rational
part o f the creation, that this Lupine race o f our fellow creatures may
not long remain-irifenfible to, and unconvinced of, the. fuperior advantages^
they may derive, or the new comforts they may, poffefs, by.
this alteration in their mode o f living. It is by no means improbable,
that by this eircumftance alone they may be roufed from their natural
lethargic indifference, and be induced to keep themfelvas clean, and to
exert themfelves in obtaining other bleffings confequent on civilized
fociety. This once effeSed, the laborious talk of their worthy and
charitable benefactors will wear the appearance of being accomplifhed
and Ihould it be hereafter attended with a grateful fenfe o f the obligations
conferred, it is not poffible to conceive how much thefe excellent
men will feel rewarded, in having been the .caufe of meliorating the
comfortlefs condition o f thefe wretched humble creatures.
Our converfation admitted o f no paufe with thefe feemingly happy and
benevolent priefts; whilft we acquired much information we were highly
ly entertained ; and the day was far advanced by the time our curiôfity
was tbits far gratified. 1— ■“
In compliment to our vifit, the fathers ordered a feaft for the Indians
Of the village. Th'e principal part of the entertainment was beef, fur-
nilhed from a certain number of black cattle, which were prefented
on the öcCafión to the villagers. Thefe .animals propagate .very fall,
ahd being fuffered to live in large herds on the fertile plains of SK
Clara, in a fort of wild Hate, fome Ikiil and adroitnels is tequired to
■ take thfeni. This office was at firft intended to have been performed by
the natives, but it was over-ruled by Serf- Paries an enfign in the Spà-
nilh army, who, with one of tire priefts of Senr- Quadra’s veifel, had
joined OUr party from a million at fame little diftance called S“ Cruz.
This gentleman conceived the bufihefs of taking the cattle Would be
better performed by the foldiers, who are ocdafiorlally cavalry, and are
undoubtedly Very good horfemeri. We mounted, and accompanied
them to the field, to be fpeflators o f their exploits. Each o f the fol-
diers was provided with a ftrong line, made of horfe-hair, or of thongs
o f leather, Or rather hide, with a long running noöfe ; this is thrown
with great dexterity whilft al full fpeed, and nearly With a certainty, over
the horns of the animal, by two men, one Oh each lidfe of the Ox, at
the famé inftant Of time; arid having a ftrong high-peaked püftirnél to
their faddles, each takes a turn round it With the énd öf thé line, and
by that means the animal is kept completely at bay, and efféflUallÿ prevented
from doirig either the then or hörfès any injury, which they
would be Very liable to, from the wildnefs and ferocity of thé cattle. In
this fituàtion the beaft is led to the place of daughter, where a third
perfon, with equal dexterity, whilft the animal is kicking and plunging between
the hoirfes, entangles its hind legs by a rope, and throws it down, on
which its throat is immediately cut. Twenty-two bullocks, each weighing
from four to fix hundred weight, Were killed on this occafion ; eighteen
were given to the inhabitants of the village, and the reft were appropriated
to the ufe o f the foldiers, and the million, in addition to
their regular weekly allowance Of t'WCnty-four oxen, which are killed for
their fervice every faturday : hence it is évident, as the whole o f their
2 ftock