After a few disputes as to whether we should have to carry our goods
up the hill, or not, we talked of San Diego, the probability of seeing
the Lagoda before she sailed, etc., etc.
The next day we pulled the agent ashore, and he went up to visit the
Pueblo and the neighboring missions; and in a few days, as the
result of his labors, large ox-carts, and droves of mules, loaded with
hides, were seen coming over the flat country. We loaded our long-boat
with goods of all kinds, light and heavy, and pulled ashore. After
landing, and rolling them over the stones upon the beach, we
stopped, waiting for the carts to come down the hill and take them;
but the captain soon settled the matter by ordering us to carry them
all up to the top, saying that, that was "California fashion." So what
the oxen would not do, we were obliged to do. The hill was low, but
steep, and the earth, being clayey and wet with the recent rains,
was but bad holding-ground for our feet. The heavy barrels and casks
we rolled up with some difficulty, getting behind and putting our
shoulders to them; now and then our feet slipping, added to the danger
of the casks rolling back upon us.
Pages:
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174