George Yenney

Ventura, a Novel of 1795 George Yenney

It is August 1795. Ventura is in the midst of a severe drought. It has not rained in two years. Warlike Mojaves trek to the coast from their Colorado River home. A ruthless fur hunting vessel ravages the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Jorge, a swarthy, dark haired, blue eyed Spanish seaman is put ashore to deliver a dispatch to Padre Vicente De Santa Maria. The priest is ordered to search the frontier area between Ventura and San Gabriel for a suitable site for a new mission that will afford the indigenous the dubious benefits of mother church and protect them from the abusive settlers in Los Angeles. Alferez Cota and Sgt. Ortega from the Santa Barbara presidio will escort him. Jorge's ship is blown off shore by fierce satanas winds, leaving him on the beach. Trying to catch his vessel he falls in with a Chumash trading party bound for the Channel Islands in their swift tomol canoe. Among them is Qasil the beautiful and tough trade negotiator, who teaches Jorge the local customs. While Padre Vicente's recon searches the hinderland, Jorge struggles to get back to the mainland and report to Spanish authorities what he has seen on the Islands.