evailing winds
are from the southwest. Having examined its shores exhaustively,
I found no fresh water, nor even indication that there had been
any in former times.

Starting at the gorge which is at the northeastern end, the land
forms a strait a mile and a half wide, clear, and capable of
being sounded. At the eastern part of the entrance there is
located a rancheria whose population might exceed 400 souls. I
traded with these people, not to buy anything from them, but to
present them with the beads which your Excellency has given me
for this purpose, together with some of my used clothing.
Contact with them was very useful to me and the crew on account
of the many gifts they made us of very choice fish (among them
salmon), seeds, and ground meal. After visiting them on four
occasions I found them as they were the first time, and observed
in them an urbane courtesy, and what is more, much modesty and
neatness among the women. They tend to beg for nothing except
for that which one gives them freely; without pressing to the
limit of impertinence, like many others whom I have seen in this
conquered territory. This rancheria has some rafts, better
described as canoes, of tule rushes so carefully wrought and
woven that it caused me admiration of their handiwork. In these
they embark four men to go fishing, each one rowing with a
double-ended oar. Using the latter they travel with such
dexterity, as I found out, that they go faster than the launch.
These were the first and the last Indians in this part of the
north with whom I had communication.

Following the above mentioned channel, at a distance of a league
from its mouth, the coast forms a cove so spacious, navigable,
well provided with firewood and watering places, and protected
from all winds that I judge it to be one of the best interior
ports which our sovereign possesses, large enough to anchor a
fleet of warships. I gave it the name of Port of the Assumption
[Puerto de la Asumpta] on account of having reconnoitred it on
the day of this festivity. To the southeast of this port the
passage continues until it merges with the channel of the
rancheria. Then it continues three leagues in an
east-northeasterly direction. At the end of this distance it
enters another bay with a depth of 13 fathoms, the latter
dimin