To-night we used our tent for the first time.
We were somewhat awkward in pitching it, and three
times did the whole structure come down by the run,
burying several of us in the flapping canvas, and inflicting
some tolerably hard knocks with the poles. However,
at length we succeeded in getting it fixed; and, kindling
a blazing fire close to it, as a polite intimation
to the bears that they were not wanted, cooked our
supper over the embers, and then, wrapped in our blankets,
slept far better than the fleas had allowed us to do
the night before.
This morning I examined Bradley’s arm, and was
glad to find the inflammation somewhat reduced.
He was bruised a good deal about the body generally,
and complained to-day sorely of the pain he felt while
being jolted over the broken ground which we crossed
in our ascent of the tall mountains that bound the
Sacramento Valley. From their summit we obtained
a noble view of the broad winding river and its smaller
tributaries, thickly studded with islands overgrown
with noble oaks and sycamores. We encamped to-night
at the foot of these hills, near a little stream which
gurgled merrily by. We have seen several herds
of elk to-day, and a large quantity of wild fowl.
Sunday, May 28th.—To-day we made
a long halt, for we were all exceedingly tired, and
some of our pack-horses, which were heavily laden,
showed symptoms of “giving out.” We
determined, therefore, to stay here till late in the
day, and then to follow the course of the creek for
a few miles, and there pitch our tent. Turning
our horses loose to graze, several of the party went
off on a hunting excursion on foot, but their only
success was about a score of wild geese, which are
very plentiful in the marshy land bordering the creek.
I got a shot at an elk which came down to the water
to drink, but he made off unhurt.
CHAPTER V.
Encampment for the night
Symptoms of neighbours not far off
Reach the Sacramento River
Sutter’s Fort
Captain Sutter
His offer of accommodation
Various matters to be seen to
A walk through the Fort
Desertion of the guard to the “diggings”
Work and whisky
Indians and their bargains
A chief’s effort to look like a
civilised being
Yankee traders
Indians and trappers
“Beats beaver skins”
Death to the weakest
A regular Spanish Don and his servant
Captain Sutter a Swiss Guard
His prejudice in favour of “constituted
authorities.”
May 29th.—Last night we encamped
under a group of oaks, and we “knew by the smoke
that so gracefully curled” over other parts of
the valley, that there were several other camps pitched
at no great distance. When we started in the
morning we fell in with a few parties moving towards
the Sacramento. A ride of a few hours brought
us to the borders of that noble river, which was here
