nto Lake Merced and a rift by the Fort. Then came
a tremendous earthquake and rent the mountains apart where you came
through--we call it the Mouth of the Gulf of the Farallones--the valley
sank, the sea flowed in, only these hills that are islands now keeping
their heads above the flood. Perhaps it is true, for Drake was close
to this bay for a long while and never saw it, and it would have given
him a better shelter than the little harbor he found a few miles higher
on the coast. I believe it was not here. Madre de Dios, I hope
California shakes no more. She would--is it not true, Excellency?--be
the most perfect country in all the world did she not have the devil in
her."

"Are you afraid of earthquakes?" asked Rezanov, who once more had
transferred his comprehensive gaze from battery sites to her face.

"I cross myself. It is like feeling your grave turn over. But I fancy
the poor old earth is like the people on her; she gets tired of being
good and is all the naughtier for having been sober too long. Don
Vincente Rivera is an example; he is cold, haughty, solemn, stern to
others and himself, as you see him; but once in a while--Madre de Dios!
The Presidio does not sleep for three nights!"

Rezanov laughed heartily, then turned abruptly away. "Come," he said.
"I had almost forgotten. Will you ask the others to go to the cabin,
while I give orders that dinner shall be served on your island?"

In the cabin, Concha forgot him for a few moments. Her mother, her
eyes dwelling fondly upon several shawls she hoped were intended for
herself alone, was hushing the baby to sleep in the deep chair of his
excellency. Ana Paula was playing with an Alaskan doll she had
appropriated without ceremony. Rezanov came in when his guests were
assembled, and he had a gift for each; curious objects of Alaskan
workmanship for the men, miniature totem poles and fur-bordered
moccasins; but silk and cotton, linen, shawls, and find handkerchiefs
for senora and maiden.

"They are trifles," he said, in response to an enthusiastic chorus.
"The cargo I was obliged to take over was a very large one. You must
not protest. I shall never miss these things." And he knew that he
had sown the seeds of a rapacity similar to that implanted in the
worthy bosoms of the priests when they had paid him their promised
visit. If the Governor were insensible to diplomacy he would have
pressure brought to bear upon his official integrity from mor