Yielding to Serra's persuasion, he consented to wait while a _novena_ (a nine days' devotional exercise) was made to St.Joseph, the holy patron of the expedition.

Fervently day by day Serra prayed.

On the day of San Jose (St.Joseph) a high mass was celebrated, and Serra preached.

On the fourth day the eager watchers saw the vessel approach.

Then, strange to say, it disappeared, and as the sixth, seventh and eighth days passed and it did not reappear again, hope seemed to sink lower in the hearts of all but Serra and his devoted brother Crespi.