Chimes of Mission Bells | Page 6

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. Junipero Serra was overjoyed at
the unexpected discovery of the Harbor of San Francisco, which
Portolá and his companions so enthusiastically extolled, and was not
discouraged over their failure to find the Port of Monterey, but hoped
to make another trial to find that Port on which their most laudable
ambitions were centered. But here a sad difficulty presented itself.
Governor Portolá returned to San Diego with sad gaps made into his
ranks by sickness and hardship, but hopeful with the expectation that
the relief ship promised by Don José Galvez had arrived, and that the
San Diego Mission well established would be able to give his forces a
well deserved chance to recuperate. But what was his dismay? The
relief ship had not arrived, and Junipero Serra had indeed founded a
mission with the usual elaborate ceremonies of the Church, but the
untiring zeal and labors of himself and his companions had not been
blessed with a single convert. No neophyte could be counted among the
numerous natives of the place, who had even proved hostile at times;
and the mission too, was in the sorest need; Junipero Serra and his
companions ofttimes adding to their usual fasts and abstemiousness,
"that others might have more." Still the relief ship was delayed! Surely

this was not the fault of good Don José Galvez, but it might have met a
tragic fate; thus thought the discouraged land and sea forces; and
Governor Portolá was too good a soldier not to know that the best
course to follow was to start at once back to Mexico and abandon the
glorious dream, before starvation and death overtook everyone of them.
But here Junipero Serra interposed, and as if inspired pleaded with the
Governor for "one more day;" Portolá out of respect did grant just "one
more day" before ordering the whole expedition back.
Junipero Serra then repaired to the summit of the Presidio Hill and with
arms extended, prayed as if in ecstasy from sunrise until sunset,
"storming the heavens" that the relief ship might come, and the
conversion of the heathen of California be realized. O unquestionable
miracle! "More things are wrought by prayer, than this world ever
dreamed of!" As the last rays of sun kissed his venerable brow, from
out the gold and purple horizon, he sighted the top-most point of a mast,
which while he was still "pouring his soul" no longer in supplication
but in thanksgiving, grew into the unmistakable figure of the long
expected ship. But for that "one more day" what would California be
now? No converted Indians, no monumental missions, no exploration
and colonization no civilization! The ship had been delayed on account
of the rough voyage it encountered. But now relief, contentment,
renewed hope, renewed courage; and the Mission of San Diego was but
the first of the twenty-one which were to strew El Camino Real (the
Royal Road, literally, commonly called the King's Highway) of
California. And chivalrous Portolá, filled with even greater reverence
for the humble priest Junipero Serra, whom his lofty soul had always
appreciated, once more gathered his forces, and started anew in search
of Monterey. Junipero Serra left the Mission of San Diego in charge of
two of the good fathers and a small garrison as guards, and set out with
Portolá on his second expedition; and it was Serra whose very presence
seemed to draw the blessings of heaven, who pointed out to the
Governor the error on Vizcaino's map which caused him to miss the
Port of Monterey.
This expedition was also divided into two parts, one to go overland the
other by sea. Father Serra went with the sea party which sailed on the
Paqueboat San Antonio. A number of Spanish dragoons from the fair
province of Catalonia, muleteers, and some of the convert Indians

recruited from the mission of La Paz were in the overland party.
On May 24th, 1770, the expedition reached Point Pinos on the Coast of
Monterey; after going south about six miles and encamping on a
picturesque spot on the shores of the Bay, the missionaries raised an
altar and Junipero Serra celebrated the first Mass on the shores of
Monterey on June 3rd, 1770. It is more than likely that the Carmelite
fathers who came here with Vizcaino had done so one hundred and
sixty eight years before, but as there is no