CHAPTER I.—The flag.—Meeting of citizens.—Disposition of forces.—Col. Fremont’s band.—Alcalde of Monterey.—Indian mother.—Military leaders.—A California farm 13 CHAPTER II.—Fecundity of the Californians.—First intelligence of the war.—Wild Indians on board ship.—The chief.—First newspaper published in California.—Raising the materials.—The rival suitors.—Flight of Gen. Castro.—A Californian on horseback 27 CHAPTER III.—A thief obeying orders.—Game.—No penitentiary system.—The California cart on a gala day.—The runaway daughter.—Faith of the Indians.—Return from the war.—First trial by jury.—Indian and his squaw on the hunt.—Whales in the bay.—The two gamblers.—Ladies on horseback.—Merriment in death.—The Englishman and his mistress 39 CHAPTER IV.—Funeral ceremonies.—Elected alcalde.—Flight of Gen. Castro.—Los Angeles taken.—Oven-bath.—Grog in a chimney.—The flea.—First rain.—Rising of the Californians.—Measures of Com. Stockton.—Mormons 54 CHAPTER V.—Fire on the mountains.—Emigrants.—Pistols and pillows.—Leaders of the insurrection.—California plough.—Defeat at San Pedro.—Col. Fremont’s band.—The Malek Adhel.—Monterey threatened.—Soldier outwitted.—Raising men.—Bridegroom.—Culprits 72 CHAPTER VI.—Santa Barbara taken.—Lieut. Talbot and his ten.—Gambling in prison.—Recruits.—A funny culprit.—Movements of Com. Stockton.—Beauty and the grave.—Battle on the Salinas.—The captain’s daughter.—Stolen pistols.—Indian behind a tree.—Nuptials in California 89 CHAPTER VII.—San José garrisoned—A California rain.—Escape of convicts.—Shooting Edwards.—Two washerwomen.—Death of Mr. Sargent.—Indian hens.—Hunting curlew.—The California horse.—An old emigrant.—The grizzly bear 106 CHAPTER VIII.—Little Adelaida.—Col. Fremont’s battalion.—Santiago In love.—Sentiments of an old Californian.—The prize Julia.—Fandango.—Winter climate.—Patron Saint of California.—Habits of the natives.—Insurrection in the north.—Drama in a church.—Position of Com. Stockton 121 CHAPTER IX.—Day of the Santos Innocentes.—Letting off a lake.—Arrival of the Dale with home letters.—The dead year.—Newly-arrived emigrants.—Egg-breaking festivities.—Concealment of Chaves.—Plot to capture the alcalde 134 CHAPTER X.—Destruction of dogs.—The wash-tub mail.—The surrender in the north.—Robbing the Californians.—Death-scene in a shanty.—The men who took up arms.—Arrival of the Independence.—Destitution of our troops.—Capture of los Angeles 149 CHAPTER XI.—Arrival of the Lexington.—The march to los Angeles, and battle of San Gabriel.—The capitulation.—Military characteristics of the Californians.—Barricades down 163