ion we know well enough!--for the
deliberate purpose of raiding our coast."

Rezanov shrugged his shoulders and replied indifferently: "I will ask
Baranhov when I return to Sitka, and write you the particulars. It is
more likely that the Aleutians were deserters. This O'Cain would not
be the first shrewd Bostonian to tempt them, for they are admirable
hunters and ready for any change. They make a greater demand upon the
Company for variety of diet than we are always prepared to meet, so
many are the difficulties of transportation across Siberia. When,
therefore, the time arrived that I could continue my voyage, I
determined to come here and see if some arrangement could not be made
for a bi-yearly exchange of commodities. We need farinaceous stuffs of
every sort. I will not pay so poor a compliment to your knowledge of
the northern settlements as to enlarge upon the advantages California
would reap from such a treaty."

The Governor, who had permitted himself to touch the back of his chair
after the dispersal of the war cloud, stiffened again. "Ah!" he said.
"Ah!" He looked significantly at the Commandante, who nodded. "You
come on a semi-official mission, after all, then?"

"It is entirely my own idea," said Rezanov carelessly. "The young Tsar
is too much occupied with Bonaparte to give more than a passing thought
to his colonies. But I have a free hand. Can I arrange the
preliminaries of a treaty, I have only to return to St. Petersburg to
receive his signature and highest approval. It would be a great
feather in my cap I can assure your excellencies," he added, with a
quick human glance and a sudden curve of his somewhat cynical mouth.

"Um!" said the Governor. "Um!"

But Arguello's stern face had further relaxed. After all, he was but
eleven years older than the Russian, and, although early struggles and
heavy responsibilities and many disappointments had deprived life of
much of its early savor, what was left of youth in him responded to the
ambition he divined in this interesting stranger. Moreover, the idea
of a friendly bond with another race on the lonely coast of the Pacific
appealed to him irresistibly. He turned eagerly to the Governor.

"It is a fine idea, Excellency. We need much that they have, and it
pleases me to think we should be able to supply the wants of others.
Fancy any one wanting aught of California, except hides, to be sure. I
did not think our existence was known save