epetition of what is noble never tires, we will again allude to the
painful sore on Junipero Serra's leg, which caused him such intense
suffering, that his continuation of the journey many times seemed
miraculous even before he reached Saint Xavier (the mission established
at La Paz). When his fellow missionary, Father Palou advised him to
remain a little longer at Saint Xavier's until he would be in a better
condition to travel, his only answer was "let us speak no more on the
subject, I have placed my faith in God and trust to His Goodness to
plant the holy standard of the Cross not only at San Diego but even as
far as Monterey." And God overshadowed the enterprise undertaken in His
Name. The ship San Jose was never heard from, but its noble crew were
always considered martyrs who brought blessings on the rest of the
expedition. The San Carlos and the two land parties reached San Diego,
their first goal almost simultaneously. Here was chanted the first Te
Deum in California! Here Serra, head of the religious portion of the
expedition, and Portola head of the civil and military, conferred with
each other on the course they were to follow. And here we will leave
these incomparable pioneers to celebrate the birthday of California,
July 1, 1769.

Chapter II

Brief Sketch of the Conquest of California and of the
Founding of the Missions. Hospitality of the Missions. Care
and Benevolence of the Missionaries Towards the Indians.

Father Junipero Serra and Don Gaspar de Portola decided on the following
plan; that Junipero Serra with Fathers Francisco Palou and Francisco de
Lasuen would remain in San Diego, where Serra was to establish his first
mission while Portola with Fathers Crespi and Gomez, Captain Rivera y
Moncada, Lieutenant Fages and some of the Spanish dragoons and muleteers
started overland to explore the country, and in quest of the Harbor
of Monterey, carrying with them the map of Sebastian Vizcaino. This
expedition was to result in the memorable "March of Portola," which
lasted about eight months. Missing the Harbor of Monterey on account of
an error in the reckoning of Vizcaino's map, the explorers marched as
far north as what is now San Francisco and discovered the Harbor that
bears that name; so named later by Junipero Serra in honor of St.
Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order. After continuing
a fruitless search for Monterey, the expedition returned to San Diego.