Colonel Mason next proceeded to visit Captain Weber’s
store, whither Bradley accompanied him. On his
return, Bradley informed us that the Colonel and his
escort intended to set off on their way back lo Sutter’s
Fort that very afternoon, and they reckoned upon encamping
some few miles below the saw-mills that night.
Bradley then took me aside and asked me whether this
would not be a good opportunity to send our stock
of gold dust down to Captain Sutter, who would, for
a reasonable commission, consign it to a merchant
at Monterey on our account. The weight of it
was becoming cumbersome, and we were besides in constant
apprehension of some unfortunate accident happening
to it. Now was the time, Bradley urged, to place
all we had as yet realised in security. He knew
Colonel Mason—in fact, had served under
him, and undertook, if the remainder of the party
were agreeable, to carry the gold, under the protection
of Colonel Mason’s escort, to Sutter’s
Fort.
There was something reasonable in this proposal, and
Colonel Mason, on being appealed to, said he would
gladly give Mr. Bradley such protection as his escort
would afford him, and would be, moreover, happy of
his company. Our party was, therefore, summoned
together, and the whole, or nearly so, of the gold
dust being produced, it was weighed in our presence,
and found to amount to twenty-seven pounds eight ounces
troy—valued at over four thousand six hundred
dollars. Bradley gave a regular receipt for this
to the company, and engaged to obtain a similar one
from Captain Sutter. The gold dust was then packed
in a small portmanteau well secured by numerous cords,
and firmly bound on the pack-saddle of an extra horse,
which Bradley was to ride alongside of, the bridle
of the animal being secured to his arm, and its trail-rope
made fast to the saddle of the horse which Bradley
himself rode. He was well armed with pistols and
a rifle, and started with Colonel Mason’s party
a couple of hours before sundown—so that
they might ford the river ere it was dusk. After
accomplishing this, they intended to ride part of
the way by the light of the moon.
CHAPTER XIV.
Smoking and sleeping
Fever, and how caused
Bradley returns
A doctor wanted
A doctor’s fee at the mines
Medicine scarce
A hot air bath and a cold water bath
Indians engaged to work
Indian thimble-rigging
An Indian gamester, and the stake he plays
for
More sickness
Mormons move off
A drunken dance by Indians
An Indian song about the yellow earth
and the fleet rifle
An immodest dance by Indian women.
