He had a few grey hairs, which were tied together at the back
of his head; and he was so feeble that, when we came up to him, he
raised his hands slowly to his face, and taking hold of his lids
with his fingers, lifted them up to look at us; and being satisfied,
let them drop again. All command over the lid seemed to have gone. I
asked his age, but could get no answer but "Quien sabe?" and they
probably did not know the age.
Leaving the mission, we returned to village, going nearly all the
way on a full run. The California horses have no medium gait, which is
pleasant, between walking and running; for as there are no streets and
parades, they have no need of the genteel trot, and their riders
usually keep them at the top of their speed until they are tired,
and then let them rest themselves by walking. The fine air of the
afternoon; the rapid rate of the animals, who seemed almost to fly
over the ground; and the excitement and novelty of the motion to us,
who had been so long confined on shipboard, were exhilarating beyond
expression, and we felt willing to ride all day long. Coming into
the village, we found things looking very lively.
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