After dinner, I brought the subject forward by observing,
that if it was intended Bradley’s plan should
be carried out, Malcolm would desire to form one of
the party; and as an excuse for his going, I stated
that I wished him to get me a supply of drugs at San
Francisco, as the little stock I had brought with
me was quite exhausted;—foolish-like, not
thinking at the time that Bradley and Don Luis could
have procured them quite as readily as Malcolm, and
that I was therefore giving no reason at all for his
accompanying them. Malcolm, however, came to my
relief, by stating he had business at San Francisco,
as he wished to see the captains of some of the vessels
in the harbour there that might be bound for the Columbia
River. Bradley gave Don Luis a side-look, and
said that no ships bound for the Columbia would be
found at San Francisco at this time of the year.
Biggs, however, who knew more about the shipping at
that port than any of us, observed there would be;
and rather a warm discussion ensued, which was interrupted
by Story and McPhail both saying to Bradley, that
as Malcolm really wanted to go to San Francisco, they
had better go in company. As there could be no
possible objection to this course, it has been finally
arranged for them to start off on the 5th (Tuesday).
Jose was to be left behind.
The takings of the past week have been very good,
considering that we have two of our party absent,
and three laid up with illness. The sky has been
a good deal overcast to-day; but still, from what I
learn, there is no chance of rain for another month.
CHAPTER XXI.
The party start for the coast
How the carrying of the gold was arranged
The escort
Character of the country they passed through
Halt at noon
An alarm
A discovery
The escort return, keeping a sharp look-out
A merry evening
The narrative resumed
A loud whistle
“The best part of the gold is lost”
The party are sullen and angry
Malcolm is missing
Don Luis’s explanation
A lasso whirls through the air
A horse shot
Malcolm falls to the ground
Bradley fires, and with effect
Retire to cover
A discharge of rifles
The enemy wheel off
Malcolm’s horse is missing
Malcolm found to be insensible
More horsemen
Tomas Maria Carillo
Robberies at the mines
Brutal conduct
A litter procured
Malcolm conveyed to a shanty
A kind Californian woman
A volley of inquiries about the gold
“It is the doctor you have to thank
for that”
The Author’s reflections.
