In doubling the northern point of the bay, I
perceived the Mexican schooner and many boats, pretty far at sea. No
doubt they were searching for me.
At six o'clock in the evening we landed at Monterey, amidst the
acclamations of a wondering crowd.
I was a general favourite, and my loss had occasioned much alarm; so
that when I landed I was assailed with questions from every quarter. The
women petted me, some kissed me (by-the-bye, those were d'un certain
age), and all agreed that I should burn half a dozen of candles on the
altar of the Virgin Mary. There was one, however, who had wept for me;
it was Isabella, a lovely girl of fifteen, and daughter to the old
Governor. The General, too, was glad to see me; he liked me very much,
because we played chess while smoking our cigars, and because I allowed
him to beat me, though I could have given him the queen and the move. I
will confess, sotto voce, that this piece of policy had been hinted to
me by his daughters, who wished me to find favour in his sight.
"Dios te ayuda nino," said the Governor to me; I feared we should never
play chess any more. "Que tonteria, andar a dormir in una barca, quando
se lo podia sobre tierra firma!" (What folly to go sleep in a boat, when
it can be done upon solid ground!)
I told him the story of the poor Russians, and in spite of his pride,
the tears started in his eye, for he was kind-hearted.
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