Three leagues beyond, they camped at
a lake named by Costanso, Laguna Redonda, but which the soldiers called
El Oso Flaco - The Thin Bear - and it is still known by that name. Here
Sergeant Ortega was taken ill, and ten of the soldiers complained of
sore feet. They rested on the 3d, and on the 4th reached the mouth of
the San Luis canon. Here they were hospitably received by the chief of a
large rancheria, whose appearance caused the soldiers to apply to him
the name of "El Buchon," he having a large tumor hanging from his neck.
Father Crespi did not approve of the name which the soldiers applied to
the chief, his rancheria, and to the canon leading up to San Luis
Obispo, and he named the village San Ladislao. As in so many cases the
good father was unable to make the name he gave stick, the saint has
been ignored, but Point Buchon, just above Point Harford and Mount
Buchon, otherwise known as Bald Knob, bear witness to the staying
qualities of the tumor on the chief's neck. Passing up the narrow canon
of San Luis creek, they camped at or near the site of the mission and
city of San Luis Obispo.
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