Daily Los Angeles herald., 1882-02-23
gos Augeles Aerala.
bFrom the Evening Express.I
the LAST OF HIS RACE.
Tho Story Of the Terrible Death Of the Last
Member Of Famous Tribe Of Los Angeles
Indians.

AvmVof VI AhWoub kripe VI hor hnksios /
Indians.
The Malibu ranch was formerly |
the home of quite numerous tribe |
Of Indians. They were known as
the Pentango.Malipu-Sesquits
and their hunting grounds extend
ed to the territory of the Yang
mans in this valley, and as far east
as the Simis, who dwelt on the
ranch of that name. Although
the Sesquits were good hunters
and possessed fine range for
game, they were more famous for
their fishing exploits than for the
chase. They were very expert in
catching the large fish that abound
or the promontoriss OF Point Du-
mas and the reefs that project
from the coast. The Sesquits were
q strong, muscular, 1.-the and finely
developed race. They were lighter
In complexion, and more resem-
bled the handsome natives OF
Santa Catalina and the other Chan
mel islands than the inland Indi-
ans. Some Of our people yet re-.
call the time when quite q number
of Sesquits still occupied the NAL
ibu ranch. But the contact of CIV
ilization and a sweeping epidemic
reduced their numbers 80 greatly
that fifteen years ago but one FAM
lily was known to have survived.
The head of this family was q fine
specimen of aborigine manhood,
and he dwelt in q wickyup at the
mouth of Tepange creek, where
1t entered the sea, dividing in its
course ledge of rocks that reached
we'll out into deep water. Between
the main land and this ledge OF
rocks the channel was over mans
head when the tide was up; but at
low tide IL could be forded. Miguel,
go this last relic of his race was
called by the Californians, was in
the habit of crossing from his lodge
to this ledge to fish. 1t was q fa'
vorite piscatorial ground, and
Miguel managed to keep his little
family well provided for with the
fish he caught aud with the corn
he raised near his lodge. About
the time of which we write, his
family, we'll grown up, had scat
tered, leaving thu old mar
alone. He had two daughters
and three sons. The former
were kidnapped, it was said
by o band of predatory Pala Indi'
ans, but it is probable they volun.
tarily eloped. The sons got into
bad ways and joined a band Of
Mexican horse thieves who had
made . secluded portion Of the
Malibu their rendezvous and head.
quarters. Left alene in the world
Miguel continued to lead bis
old life. He tished and hunted and
cultivated in his rude manner bis
little corn.patch.
It was some time In 1870 that
Bill Reynolds took q contract to
make survey of the ranch, and
he pitched his camp near the ledge
Of Miguel.
Reynolds had Chinese cook he
had raised from boyb0od, and who
was dev0tedly attached to him.
In their outfit was beat, In which
Hing 1.-THE cook) and Miguel fire.
quently made excursions to remote
fishing grounds and brought to
camp varieties of deep sea fish that
gratlfied the epicurean palate of
their patren. In these excursions
Miguel related to Hing, who in
turn recounted to Reynolds, won.
derful stories of the wealth and
power of his tribe when he was q
boy. He related how their great
chief, Akala, had made successful
forays upon the tribes that dwelt
near the Snow Mountains aud re-
turned laden with spoils; how they
had great canoes that would carry
twenty braves with their bows and
sings and spears, and crossed
the channel to the islands
and held pow-wows with their
brethren on them and feasted
together for weeks; how Miguel,
in one Of these excursions to Santa
catalina, carried away his bride by
force, an act which was followed
by hestilities In which his own
tribe lost many warriors and was
1t length compelled to submit to
inglorious terms of peace, Miguel
returning his wife to her father,
giving up to the tribe his children,
ana going to the island as a cap
tive. How he remained there for
many years, and how at last the
father of his wife relented and che
and his children were restored to
him. These "reminiscences were as
interesting to Hing as they were
suggestive of the past glories of
9he Sesquits to Reynolds.
One morning MIR. Reynolds told
Hing that as they would have to
be away surveying all day, be
should put Miguel an the ledge OF
rocks so that he could catch good
mess Of fish for their supper when
they returned. The boat was haul
ed out of the creek to the channel,
and Hing having rowed Miguel
across, returned to camp and de-
parted with his master. They got
back to camp just before sundown
in the evening, and saw Miguel
starting out, it being low tide, to
wade across the channel. Every
thing was prepared to cook the
evening meal. Mr.. Reynolds re.
tired to his tent and was enjoying
the contents Of book in waiting
for the call to supper. When sufh
Gent time had elapsed. ss he sup
posed, for the meal to be ready, he
emerged from the tent, and casting
his eyes towards the ledge, he was
astonished to see that Miguel was
exactly in the same position he oc.
cupied when they returned from
the days work.
"Hing," said he, 1 think there
lie something the matter with Mi
guel. He seems to be in the same