Two days were spent in descending the river, and when Baker Bay was reached it was found that the Nereid and Llama, two of the fur company's vessels, had been detained there since the 22d of December. The sea being still rough, on the morning of the 30th of January the Loriot parted her cables and was driven on shore, but, being assisted by the other vessels, escaped unharmed. It rendered it necessary, however, for Captain Bancroft to return to Fort Vancouver to procure a chain-cable and anchors, so that it was not until the 10th of February that the Loriot was able to go to sea. Nine days were occupied in the voyage to Fort Ross, where permission was obtained to land the cattle company at Bodega, and horses and guides were furnished to take Slacum to San Francisco.
On the 28th the Loriot, with Edwards and Young on board, resumed her voyage to San Francisco Bay, while the eight men left at Fort Ross found employment and good wages at Cooper's mills, until their services should be needed by Young. The Loriot, after some dangerous coast navigation, arrived at San Francisco on the 1st of March, and taking on board Mr Slacum, proceeded to Monterey, where was the residence of General Vallejo, whom Young wished to consult about driving out cattle, to which measure the Mexican government was averse. Edwards remained behind, occupying his time in excursions about the bay, and in studying the customs of the country.[1]
On the 10th Young returned from Monterey with the tidings that Vallejo declined giving permission to drive cattle out of the country, saying it was the prerogative of the civil government, which was at Santa Barbara. Thither Young had proceeded, while Edwards continued to increase his knowledge of Califor-
- ↑ Among other scraps of knowledge, he remarks in his Diary, MS., 13, of the expedition, that on the stock-ranches 'spotted mares are generally broken in, and much esteemed on the following account: all the horses of a band follow her, attracted by her peculiarity of color, and are not so likely to stray abroad.'
