Los Gringos. H. A. Wise

PREFACE.

       Table of Contents

      The title—Los Gringos—with which this volume has been christened, is the epithet—and rather a reproachful one—used in California and Mexico to designate the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race; the definition of the word is somewhat similar to that of Greenhorns, in modern parlance, or Mohawks in the days of the Spectator. Although many of the scenes were passed in those countries, yet the narrative takes a wider range, and embraces portions of the South American Continent in Brazil, Chili, and Peru—together with visits to some of the groups of the Pacific at the Sandwich, Marquesas and Society Islands.

      The sketches embodied in the narrative were all written on the field of their occurrence: the characters incidentally mentioned are frequently noms de mer.

      It is not expected by the Author that even the most charitable reader will wholly overlook the careless style and framing of the work, or allow it to pass without censure; nor has it been his object to deal in statistics, or any abstract reflections, but merely to compile a pleasant narrative, such as may perchance please or interest the generality of readers; and in launching the volume on its natural element—the sea of public opinion—the Author only indulges in the aspiration—whether the reader be gentle or ungentle—whether the book be praised or condemned—that at least the philanthropy of the Publishers may be remunerated, wherein lies all the law and the profits.

      New York, October, 1849.

CHAPTER I.
	PAGE
We sail from Boston, and how we felt.—Cure for Sea-Sickness.—Delights of the Ocean.—Crossing the Equator.—What the Mess was composed of.—We become reconciled to our Fate.—Pass Cape Frio, and have no Inclination to bivouac on the Rocks.	1
CHAPTER II.
Rio Janeiro, and what is to be seen there.—Life in the City.—Diamonds and Levites.—Police.—Cookery and Currency.—The Omnibus Jehu to Boto Fogo.	9
CHAPTER III.
Gloria Hill.—Il Cateto.—Architecture.—Visit from a Scorpion, and the Habits of other Reptiles.—The Opera.—The Emperor and Court.—The Brazilians think of carrying the War into Africa.	16
CHAPTER IV.
We leave Rio, and march towards the Horn.—Man overboard and drowned.—La Plata.—We take an Albatross.—Terra del Fuego.—Pitch of the Cape.—A Marine dies.—How the Yankee Corvette doubled Cape Horn.—What we did for Pastime.—Dr. Faustus.—The Island of Chiloe.	20
CHAPTER V.
Valparaiso.—Bell of Quillota and Tupongati.—Where and how the Town is built.—Birlochea.—Shops.—The Terraces.—El Almendral.—Carmencita.—Creole Ladies.—Tertulias.—The Samacuéca.—Climate.—Dust.—The Donçella who caught a Flea, and how she did it.—General Bulnes.—Army.—Government and Resources.—True Elements of Happiness.	27
CHAPTER VI.
Weigh Anchor, with some Trouble and Broken Bones.—Bid adieu to Pleasures of the Shore.—Islands of St. Ambrose and Felix.—We lose some Shipmates.—Alta California.—Monterey.	39
CHAPTER VII.
Summary of Events Preceding our Arrival.—Difficulties between Fremont and Castro.—Operations of Naval Forces.—Skirmish at San Pascual.—Battles of San Gabriel and La Mesa.—The Volunteers Disbanded.	41
CHAPTER VIII.
Town of Monterey.—Our First Impressions.—Days of Barricades.—Sentinels.—The Rocky-Mountain Men.—Keg of Whiskey, and the Use it was put to.—The Trapper's little Anecdote concerning Old Ginger and the Indians.	47
CHAPTER IX.
Treaty of Los Angeles.—The Lady that had a Strange Taste In Jewelry.—The Disregard of Soap in those Countries.—Visit to an Extensive Establishment.—The Doña herself, with her Small Family and Prospects.	53
CHAPTER X.
Mission of Carmelo.—Tramp in the Mountains.—Wolves and Venison.—We become bewildered, but encounter a Guide.—Boudoirs for Damsels.—The Fandango.—How the Gentlemen amused themselves.—We take to Hunting for Pastime.—Climate.—Juaquinito and his Mama.—Plains of Salinas.—Bill Anderson, his Windmill and History.—Wild Geese.—Native Entertainment.	58
CHAPTER XI.
Maritime Alps of California.—Entrance to Bay of San Francisco.—Yerbabuena.—Society.—Pranks on Horses.—Saddles.—New York Regiment.—The Cannibal Emigrants, and the Dutchman's Appetite; with Baptiste's Remarks thereon.—Perils of Emigration.	69
CHAPTER XII.
Sousoulito.—The Belle of California.—The Bears of the same, who chase us.—Angel Island.—Deer and Elk Shooting.