While we were thus engaged, McPhail, our fellow-passenger
from Oregon, made his appearance, having only just
then returned from Sonoma. He had heard a great
deal about the new gold placer, and he had merely come
back for his baggage, intending to start off for the
mines forthwith. The result of our deliberations
was to this effect. Each man was to furnish himself
with one good horse for his own use, and a second horse
to carry his personal baggage, as well as a portion
of the general outfit; we were each to take a rifle,
holster pistols, etc. It was agreed, moreover,
that a tent should be bought immediately, if such a
thing could be procured, as well as some spades, and
mattocks, and a good stout axe, together with a collection
of blankets and hides, and a supply of coffee, sugar,
whisky, and brandy; knives, forks, and plates, with
pots and kettles, and all the requisite cooking utensils
for a camp life. The tent is the great difficulty,
and fears are entertained that we shall not be able
to procure one; but Bradley thinks he might buy one
out of the Government stores.
I followed the saddler well up during the day, and
was fortunate enough to obtain our saddles, saddle-bags,
etc., by four o’clock. On going to
his house a couple of hours after about some trifling
alteration I wished made, I found it shut up and deserted.
On the door was pasted a paper with the following
words, “Gone to the diggings.”
CHAPTER IV.
The party leave San Francisco
Cross to Sausalitto with horses and baggage
Appearance of the cavalcade
Jose’s method of managing horses
Character of the country passed through
Stay at Sonoma for the night
A Yankee hotel-keeper’s notion
The Author meets with Lieutenant Sherman
Receives from him a letter of introduction
to Captain Sutter
Napper Valley
Sleep at the house of a settler
Troublesome bedfellows
Wild-looking scenery
Bradley is injured by a fall from his
horse
Difficulties in the way of pitching a
tent
A hint to the bears
Supper and bed
Resume the journey
Sacramento valley
Elk and wild fowl
A long halt
A hunting party
A missing shot.
Sonoma.—May 24th.—This
morning at last saw us off. We left San Francisco
shortly after seven, and embarked with our horses and
baggage in a launch, which landed us at Sausalitto
before ten. From thence we made our way to Sonoma,
where we put up for the night. We formed quite
a cavalcade, and presented a tolerably imposing appearance.
First came the horses (six in number), which carried
our baggage, camp equipments, etc. After
these came Jose, Don Luis’s Indian servant (who
seems to be a far more lively fellow than Indians
are generally), having these extra horses in his charge;
and he really managed them admirably. For what
with whistling, and coaxing, and swearing, and swinging
