a closer examination, but no such idea is conveyed, even to the inquisitive observer, on entering the mouth of the Sacramento, which becomes a narrow stream about twenty miles above the position where we left the Starling; the intermediate extensive sheet of water forming a great archipelago. As our entry was on the northern edge of this archipelago, we were satisfied that no great river ran in the direction of or behind "Elk Range;" the two streams, if they fork here, must be southerly.
On our left the high range of the Montes Diavolo, as well as Elk range, appeared to bound the limits of water. On our rio-lit the rano-e of the Sierras Bolbones was visible, equally from the sea as from the source of the Sacramento. All the intermediate space in the rainy season may be under water, and at such a period, the trifurcation may possibly be apparent; but our guide appeared quite as much in the dark as ourselves, and could not afford any satisfactory explanation.
This guide was one of those trained in former days to hunt for Christians![1] and frequently, on being pressed upon a subject of which he really knew nothing, would reply, "I only know where to find the Indians."
As these Indians were sought for in streams which flowed southerly of the Bolbones, and at the
- ↑ Boats with soldiers were sent under the direction of the padres to capture Indians and bring them to the missions, where they were made Christians nolens volens.
