Before  the  Americans  came  there  were  only  the  rudest
kinds  of  mills  in  the  country.  The  Spaniards,  like  the
Indians,  used  a  mortar  and  pestle  for  grinding  out  the
grain,  or  rubbed  it  into  flour  on   the   metate.     As   years


1 88  Spanisli  California

passed,  a  sort  of  mill  was  made  by  placing  one  heavy
stone  on  top  of  another.  The  upper  one  was  flattened  a
little,  and  in  it  was  placed  an  iron  bolt,  by  means  of
which  a  horse  or  mule  could  be  fastened  to  the  rude
mill.  The  stone  turned  but  once  as  the  animal  walked
around,  so  that  a  day's  hard  work  by  a  mule  would
result  in  very  little  flour.
The  Spaniards  greatly  enjoyed  taking  care  of  the  im-
mense herds  of  cattle.  These  were  allowed  to  run  wild,
almost  no  attention  being  given  them  except  to  kill  those
needed  for  food.  Once  a  year,  however,  according  to  the
Spanish  law,  all  the  cattle  were  rounded  up  to  be  stamped
with  the  owner's  brand.  This  event  was  called  a  rodeo.  It
was  a  great  occasion,  when  there  was  plenty  of  work  but
also  endless  excitement.  All  the  men,  women,  and  chil-
dren of  the  neighborhood  were  present,  and  every  man
was  obliged  by  law  to  give  all  the  help  necessary.  A
feast  naturally  went  with  a  rodeo.
