DAWN AND THE DONS 46
mostly by sign language, gave him to understand that a party of white men had passed there going north, and later, had again passed going south. This information was rather perplexing to Perez, for it might mean that the Portola party had returned to San Diego, which, as we know, was what had happened. But Perez was not entirely certain as to the information the natives were trying to give him, and furthermore, his orders were explicit to sail direct for Monterey. He therefore concluded to conform to his sailing instructions, and was Just getting under way when he lost an anchor. Feeling that an anchor would be a vital necessity at Monterey, he turned back to San Diego to get one from the San Carlos. Thus to a lost anchor was due the second expedition to Monterey Bay, which resulted in California’s retention
by Spain and her preservation for our United States.
