Saturday, May 7, 1870 Leaving San Diego
"The wagon was too small for all to ride inside, consequently one was obliged to ride outside with the driver. Sister Ambrosia volunteereed to make the great act of mortification and humility. It is beyond description what she suffered in riding two hundred miles like this, without protection from the rays of a tropical sun. Yet poor Sister did this.
"About
"Sister Maxime and I went in search of gold; seeing quantities of it, we proposed getting a sack and filling it. Just think, a sack of gold! -- but we soon learned from experience that "all is not gold that glitters."
"We camped, about sunset, at the foot of a mountain; made some tea, and took our supper off a rock. All were cheerful. We wished Rev. Mother could see us at supper. After offering thanks to the Giver of all good, we retired to rest -- Mother, Sisters Euphrasia and Martha under the wagon, others inside where there was room only for two to lie down.
"Sisters Euphrasia and I sat in a corner and tried to sleep. We had scarcely closed our eyes when the wolves began to howl about us. We were terribly frightened and recommended ourselves to the safe-keeping of Him who guides the weary traveler on his way. We feared they would consume our little store of provisions and thus let us perish in the wilderness, but the driver told us not to fear. During the night Sister Euphrasia was startled from her sleep by one of the horses licking her face. She screamed fearfully, and we concluded she was a prey of the wolves."
From the Trek of the Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan
Jewels from Jane, May 7
Jewels from Jane, May 8
"Next morning, May 8 [1870], feast of the Patronage of our Holy Father St. Joseph, we were determined to celebrate it the best way we could. After offering up our prayers, we formed a procession, going in advance of the wagon -- Mother walking in front, bearing a Spanish lily in her hand. We followed in solemn order and imagined ourselves in Egypt with St. Joseph as leader.
"At noon we came to a cool, shady place in which we rested. The ranch-man (a person who keeps refreshments, stable feed, etc., on the western plains), invited us to dinner. He offered us a good meal of all we could desire. There were several ranchmen there from the neighboring stations, but no women. There are few women in this country. After dinner they became very sociable. We retired to the stable, where our driver and only protector was, and they followed. Some of them proposed marriage to us, saying we would do better by accepting the offer than by going to Tucson, for we would all be massacred by the Indians. The simplicity and earnestness with which they spoke put indignation out of the question, as it was evident they meant no insult, but our good. They were all native Americans. For that afternoon we had amusement enough.
"We then resumed our journey. That evening we camped in a very damp place, made some tea, the only beverage we had. We then offered up our evening prayers and retired to rest. Mother, Sisters Ambrosia, Maxime and I mounted a rock; the other three went to the wagon. The night was very cold. I think there was frost.
"We had only one blanket between seven of us. Sister Martha and I had only light summer shawls; the others brought their winter ones along. Yet, we all kept up good spirits, being convinced that we were doing the divine will. We were much fatigued, and though hard the bed, and cold the night, we soon fell asleep.
"Between 2:00 and 3:00 o'clock in the morning we were startled from our sleep by an unearthly yell from Sister Martha, and one from the driver. We hastened to learn the matter. The Sisters in the wagon feeling cold concluded to kindle a fire to warm themselves. Although very dark, they set out in search of fuel, etc. to make it with, and finally succeeded in getting a few sticks and some dry leaves, and started out for more; but this time they had the advantage of a light from the fire. Sister Martha thought she saw a fine, large stick amongst the dry leaves, and eagerly grabbed it, and commenced pulling it towards the fire; when the leaves fell off, she perceived it was a man she had by the leg. She then yelled and he screamed, but only in mischief. It was the driver who was resting himself amongst the dry leaves.
"All were frightened, but none hurt. It was well that they did wake up, for we were almost stiff with the cold. After warming ourselves a little, we made some tea to refresh ourselves. We then recommended ourselves to our Heavenly Father and our dear Mother Mary and set out singing the 'Ave Maris Stella' and other hymns, as we went along."
Trek of the Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan
Jewels from Jane, May 7
Saturday, May 7, 1870 Leaving San Diego
"The wagon was too small for all to ride inside, consequently one was obliged to ride outside with the driver. Sister Ambrosia volunteereed to make the great act of mortification and humility. It is beyond description what she suffered in riding two hundred miles like this, without protection from the rays of a tropical sun. Yet poor Sister did this.
"About 10:00 o'clock we passed a white post that marks the southwest boundary of the United States. We dropped a few tears at the sight of it, then entered Lower California. At noon we halted and took lunch in a stable 12 miles from San Diego.
"Sister Maxime and I went in search of gold; seeing quantities of it, we proposed getting a sack and filling it. Just think, a sack of gold! -- but we soon learned from experience that "all is not gold that glitters."
"We camped, about sunset, at the foot of a mountain; made some tea, and took our supper off a rock. All were cheerful. We wished Rev. Mother could see us at supper. After offering thanks to the Giver of all good, we retired to rest -- Mother, Sisters Euphrasia and Martha under the wagon, others inside where there was room only for two to lie down.
"Sisters Euphrasia and I sat in a corner and tried to sleep. We had scarcely closed our eyes when the wolves began to howl about us. We were terribly frightened and recommended ourselves to the safe-keeping of Him who guides the weary traveler on his way. We feared they would consume our little store of provisions and thus let us perish in the wilderness, but the driver told us not to fear. During the night Sister Euphrasia was startled from her sleep by one of the horses licking her face. She screamed fearfully, and we concluded she was a prey of the wolves."
From the Trek of the Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan
Jewels from Jane, April 23
Saturday, April 23, 1870 Final Good-Bye
"When we had had the consolation of hearing Mass, and receiving the Bishop's blessing, we went to the depot. Reverend Mother procured our tickets, refreshments and other conveniences for the journey. The dreaded moment of parting had almost arrived. That moment we shall never forget! We were all seated in the cars when she came in with her little purchases, and at the same time to say 'good-bye.' We then lost all self-control and wept bitterly after she left us, our eyes following until she entered the carriage and drove out of sight. The
From "Trek of the Seven Sisters" by Sister Monica Corrigan
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