Maria Rosali is a mestizo servant in a Spanish home. Orphaned years ago, she and her brother Domingo work on a ranch run by the stern Senor Medina. Maria's writing captures the intense tradition and culture of the Spanish as she observes the war that Alta California ultimately loses to the Americans.

		November 11, 1845 We left before dawn today. I hated to leave Nelly, but my heart is homesick for Rancho Agua Verde. The carts are now filled with American cloth, sugar, flour, dry goods, tools and furniture for the Medina's casa grande." By dark, we reached the Sonoma hills and looked down at the beautiful valley. Gregorio says that Sonoma is the Indian word that means "valley of the moon." We are spending the night near a creek. The vaqueros unsaddled their horses and rolled out their blankets in front of the campfires. One is playing his guitarra, and another is singing a song of lost love. The music is lovely, and the stars are breathtaking...I am so glad to be back in my valley of the moon.