The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-24
From the NY. Eve. PoSt.
Aurifodina, or Adventure I'm the Gold
Regions.
BY CANrELL A. BIGLY.

Those who interest themselves in the Disco
veries lately made in the gold region Of Califor-
MIA must read this book, which relates to dis
trict where gold is more abundant than in the
richest portion Of the valley of the Sacramento.
The author, Mr.. Bigly, relates with great gravity
and certain attractive simplicity of manner,
story almost as wonderful as that Of Peter
wilkins. 1t seems, that finding himself in the
territory of Oregon, a few years since, he was
induced by some reports which he heard from
an old trapPer of the gold of the Sacramento,
to visit the valley Of that river, in company
with four other persons. For the history Of
his success, of his separation from his compan-
ions with his three loaded mules ON his way to
Santa Fe, his wanderiRgs among the noun
taiRs, his loss of the principal part Of his trea-
sure, and his final entrance into the valley,
peopled with a mild and intelligent race of men,
where gold was the most abundant Of metals
and the iron the most scarce, we refer our read
ers to the book itself.
Some parts Of the narrative are written in
a msbhef which reminds us of Srin On HE
descent into the valley, Mr.. Bigly had stopped
to refresh himself at spring. the bottom of
which glttered with pebbles of gold, the finest
of which he gathered, when he was found en-
gagged in this occupation by a party of the ma
tives. We copy passage from this part of the
narrative.
The company then gathered around me
and gave their attention-not, however,
without some contemp,uous glances at my
wretched figure from some of the young
ladies, while | strove by signs to make
them understand where | came from, and
how | came there. am accustomed to
this kind of language, and soon made them
know that | had come across the noun
tains, from distant land, and was Jour-
neying homeward to the east. This excl
ted their establishment, which was nightly
increased when led my mule from behind
clump OF underbrush. Some of them
were not little frightened; but the young
women, who at first ran away,'quickly
returned when they saw the monster eat
grass, and very soon could hardly keep
their hands off the ugly creature.
showed the gentlemen, or noblemen,
as they might be from their bearing, the
rich pebbles | had taken from the spring.
They examined them, but with careless
eyes, and even while was dilating upon
their value, one Of them coolly threw the
largest into the deepest part of the spring.
was not in condition to resent the
offence, being entirely in their power; but
supposed my face expressed Indignation,
for the person who had given the insult
Immediately called one who seemed to be
an attendant, who waded into the water
and brought me, not only the pebble which
had been thrown in, but twice as many
more, larger and more beautiful. | OBJ
served that, as he did so, he took up anc
threw back five or six great irregular Jumps
as if he supposed desired only the per.
fectly round ones. In FIVE minutes there lay
OH the grass beside me three times as much
Of the precious metal as had at the com
mencement Of my journey, on the othel
side Of the Sierra.
/ addressed the principal parsonage
with whom / had first spoken, craving
leave to retain as many of these pebbles a.
my mule would carry. Smiling, as though
the present were the merest nothing, he a
once motioned his permission. Upon this
: | gladly undid my mule pack, and pouret
: out my former collection, to make room 70
the magnificent gift. My new friends ex
. amined my former treasure with puzzlinl
scrutiny, some of them laughing loudly
! and some looking upon ME with compass
! sonate expression. The one who aPPeare'
: to have most authority, approached, anc
!. touching my forehead, shook his head.
Intent upon my riches, minded not tn
. odd manner with which they now regardet
!. me, but kept busily filling my packs, til
got twice as much as my mule coul'
e carry, and was obliged to unpack them
The regretful air with which / did this at
tracted the attention of him who had giver
them TO me, and he at once ordered fou
E or five Of the others to take in their hand
i all that my mule could not carry.
| was overjoyed at this, and, notwitf
: standing my exhausted state, descended tn
. slope Of the mountain along with the party
: !. leading my mule, with great alacrity-fal
i ing readily into the gay humor Of my con
]. panions, and endeavoring to contribute m
!. share of the amusements by laughing I
T. merry sayings | did not understand, an
4. half suspected were frequently occasions