THE ROMANCE OF MONTEREY 105
though they grew to considerable numbers. Cattle raising was the big industry. To quote Robert Glass Cleland, “The natural conditions of California were so thoroughly congenial to cattle raising that the development of the industry was unbelievably rapid. Before the close of the century—that is before 1800—the hills and valleys from San Diego northward to the farthest point of Spanish occupation were covered with the offspring of the few hundred animals driven overland from Mexico by the early colonizing expeditions.” The industry was conducted at small expense. The cattle roamed at will over the hills and valleys where nature, without cost, supplied the grasses and wild grains upon which they fed. They literally took care of themselves except during the semi-annual rodeos in spring and fall, when the cattle were segregated as to ownership, and the calves branded. And even these rodeos or round-ups were converted into stupendous and magnificent festivals. Again to quote Cleland, “A round-up of this kind was one of the most picturesque events of early California life. The vast herd of cattle, sometimes half a mile from center to circumference, the
thick clouds of dust that rose from thousands of moving feet, the sudden dash after some escaping steer, the surprising feats of horsemanship which were performed continually by the vaqueros, the bellowing of frightened and maddened
bulls, the clash of horns striking horns,
the wild shouts and laughter of the cowboys, all lent an
