feated. A rally was made at this place. The
Mexicans, however, did not venture to attack them. Both sides were
apparently weary of fighting for that day. The firing ceased, and soon
after, night closed over the scene of the battle field.

These California Mexicans, previous to the war with the United States,
were considered by the mountaineers as the bravest Spanish blood in
the Mexican provinces. During the war, they proved that they had not
been over-estimated, as they met their foes, at the commencement of
hostilities, with a determination to win, or sell their lives dearly.
The reason of this difference of courage in their favor over their
countrymen who inhabited the internal States, is supposed to be owing
to their opportunities for intercourse with the bold mariners from
different countries who visited them in ships for the purpose of
trade. This commerce consisted in the transporting into the country of
such articles as arms, ammunition, groceries, and dry goods, for which
were bartered, hides, tallow, and furs. The currency of California
at that time was hides, which were estimated as so many dollars. The
raising of cattle and horses was the leading employment of the people,
and occupied most of their time. On the discovery of gold, these
affairs underwent a change, and the rapid strides of civilization has
left this people far in the minority. The horses of California were
celebrated as being larger than the ponies of New Mexico, and also for
being much fleeter of foot. The California rider, at that time,
was looked upon as being unrivaled by those who had witnessed his
performances. However, the intercourse between the two countries was
very limited among the Mexicans, and it was difficult to find a New
Mexican who had seen the Pacific. Their dialects were also slightly
different, as much so as happens in the dependencies of any other
country. It was fear of the Indians that put a damper on the travel
between these adjoining districts. The society of the man who had
had the boldness to make a journey to California from New Mexico was
courted, he being considered a renowned traveler. His amusing stories
of large ships and the men who managed them, and also, of the great
expanse of the ocean, amazed his auditors and made them deeply
interested in his conversation and information. It has become a
strange sight to look upon whole communities of men, who have
only heard of steamboats, telegraphs, railroads and oth