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