Page:History of California, Volume 3 (Bancroft).djvu/570

552 1837, and that Captain Robbins had been rewarded with some position in accordance with Alvarado's recommendations. It was implied also that the government was inclined to favor Alvarado as governor. The party in power when official despatches should arrive would manifestly have the advantage; therefore Castro had orders to win or lose in fifteen days.

Santiago Estrada was the courier sent by Villavicencio to announce to the governor Castañeda's appearance in front of Santa Bárbara with one hundred and fifty men. Estrada met Castro on the way at San Luis Obispo, and hastened that officer's movements; at Buenavista rancho his strength gave out, and he forwarded a letter to Santa Clara. All available force was at once placed at Alvarado's disposal by the general, Salvador Vallejo being sent by forced marches from Sonoma. I have no details respecting the march southward of Alvarado and his reënforcements. April 5th he was at Santa Inés, and six days earlier at Buenavista had heard of Castro's success.

Castro, after joining his escort to Villavicencio's force and the Santa Bárbara volunteers, had probably about one hundred men, with whom, taking along also a few cannon, he hastened on to San Buenaventura. His approach to the mission seems to have been