The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-07-07
From the Home Journal.
Letter from the Pacific Coast.
april l1th, 1853.

April l1th, 1853.
The Mission Of San Diego reposes in n quiet
valley. 1t is, however. inhabited by those for
whom excitement is essential
The Post, garrisoned by the command of Col.
Magruder, is about six miles from the town.
The ride is delightful, although fording the riv-
er is often dangerous, during the rainy seasons,
owing to the quicksands, which are constantly
ehifting.
The society of San Diego is limited; yet there
are q few families who are cordial, artless and
refined. The ladies dress early in the forenoon,
for the day, and so are always ready to receive
company. ! was so fortunate as to make one of
a dinner I arty, given by Lieut.. Derby to these
agreeable people. The graceful department of
the Spanish ladies was captivating in the ex-
treme. Late in the evening we waited upon the
ladies to their homes and, soon after We all re.
assembled at Senor Bandinis, for dance and
continuation. One of his daughters, the wife
of ei-devGnt officer of the United States Dra-
goons, played several compositions on the harp
ezquisitey. A number of songs were sung by
various guests-among the rest, your "Minia-
ture" General. Waiting then became the mo.
notonizing enjoyment. The confding earnest
ness with which the Spanish beauties cling to
their partners, would be extremely embarras-
sing TO the unsophisticated, east Of the Rocky
Mountains. An hour after the final s.good
night" Some of the gentlemen were again under
various windows. with guitars and flutes. Sc
norittas are sensitive to serenades.
A day or subsequent to this day in thou
sand, followed similar Jste, at the Mission of
San Diego. Tents were pitched in the olive
grove. Shells were thrown at the target, from
the light battery-late Ringgold's-and the
troops performed their man@uvres with precis.
ion. Music and dancing terminated the enjoy-
ments of the day.
A few days ago saw an Indian breaking
wild mare; and the following is the manner in
which it was sdone Everything being prepared,
q strong, well-formed young Indian, about nine
teen years Of age, led forward the animal with
his SHASTA. She was about fifteen hands high,
perfect in symmetry, and white as dsw-wash-
use of teeth and feet, &c prevent any near ap-
proach. Two men stood ready, with lnriettes,
and, taking advantage of her movements, one
was thrown around her fore, and the other a.
round her hind legs. Pulling simultaneously,
she was thrown upon her side, when, in an in. |
slant, the wary Indian had his knee upon her |
neck, and had adjusted e bandage over her eyes. |
She was then suffered to rise; and, by judicious
coaxing on his part, in the course of half an |
nour, blanket was spread upon her back, and |
I strap passed loosely around her body. The |
indian then mounted and drew the strap over |
Ills knees. Reaching forward, be removed the |
oandage from her eyes. and at once she COM
nenced a series of desperate plunges, and exer- /
Ted every muscle to throw her rider. Several |
men stood near, with switches in their hands, |
IN order to prevent her from falling backwards |
the only thing her rider apprehended. A
mounted assistant aided in driving her to the !
river; and, much to our surprise, she became
immediately subdued, and proceeded to drink
IS quietly as horse that had been accustomed |
10 the saddle for years, The young Indian
smiled, and patting her on the neck, assured us
she would give him more trouble. And SO il |
proved. ] saw him subsequently,, on several !
dashing along the valley, with light
rein, and controlling the spirited mare, with the
most delicate touches
On the tenth Of April We left San Diego in the
little coast steamer s.Ohio" The ports between
his town and San Francisco are just days
'ail apart Struggling through the kelp, which
,bounds at the entrance of the harhor, we took
Up the course, northwest By sonsthing-what