re Serra had so fervently hoped and prayed for, the
harbor that was to secure for California a Mission "for our father Saint
Francis." Yet not one of them either knew or seemed to comprehend the
importance of that which their eyes had seen. Instead, they were
disheartened and disappointed by a new and unforeseen obstacle to their
further progress. The narrow channel (later called the Golden Gate by
Fremont), barred their way, and as their provisions were getting low,
and they certainly were much further north than they ought to have been
to find the Bay of Monterey, Portola gave the order for the return, and
sadly, despondently, they went back to San Diego.

On the march south, Portola's mind was made up. This whole enterprise
was foolish and chimerical. He had had enough of it. He was going back
home, and as the "San Antonio" with its promised supplies had not yet
arrived, and the camp was almost entirely out of food, he announced the
abandonment of the expedition and an immediate return to Lower
California.

Now came Serra's faith to the fore, and that resolute determination and
courage that so marked his life. The decision of Portola had gone to his
heart like an arrow. What! Abandon the Missions before they were fairly
begun? Where was their trust in God? It was one hundred and sixty-six
years since Vizcaino had been in this port, and if they left it now,
when would another expedition be sent? In those years that had elapsed
since Vizcaino, how many precious Indian souls had been lost because
they had not received the message of salvation? He pleaded and begged
Portola to reconsider. For awhile the governor stood firm. Serra also
had a strong will. From a letter written to Padre Palou, who was left
behind in charge of the Lower California Missions, we see his intention:
"_If we see that along with the provisions hope vanishes, I shall remain
alone_ with Father Juan Crespi and hold out to the last breath."

With such a resolution as this, Portola could not cope. Yielding to
Serra's persuasion, he consented to wait while a _novena_ (a nine days'
devotional exercise) was made to St. Joseph, the holy patron of the
expedition. Fervently day by day Serra prayed. On the day of San Jose
(St. Joseph) a high mass was celebrated, and Serra preached. On the
fourth day the eager watchers saw the vessel approach. Then, strange to
say, it disappeared, and as the sixth, seventh and eighth days passed
and it did not reappear again