Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-03-19

aojued ourselves encamped on the banks
of the river, with plenty Of WOOD good
water. fresh fish,. and but 2 or days
Journey from our destination. Our situa-
ton is enough to alarm US. Many OF our
animals are apparently upon their last
legs. We have not two full days ra''ons
of provision left. Some days ago we be-
aan to fear that we should not reach the
mines in the expected time. and confined
ourselves to half ra,ons, which we again
reduced TO quarter ratons, and upon this
fare we subss,ed for several days moth
ing bu, bread and coffee at that. This
amour, of food will not sustain US, and do
our necessary work. The jaded condition
of our mules. ob!iges US to walk a great
porlion Of the time. For the same reason,
we packed bu, IL days. provisions from
Los Angeles, which we were told would
be an abundance-andn no meat, expecting
to kill game. Blu, this is a poor depen.
dence. We can not hunt without stopping;
this would be but loss of time, and but
few of Us have guns left. Starvation or
mu!e-nesh, stared US in the face, but we
will no doubt prefer the latter. 10 kill
and eat one of our faithful animals, that
has brought US thus far, seems rather re-
voting. but we look upon it as thing GER
tain, and have already selected the first
victim. This Lake like the former one is
bordered with ,ule. and is literally COW
cred with wild fowl Of every variety,
amongs, others the pelican, swan, goose,
brunt, ducks, herons, curlews, povers,
snipe, SC. They are so abundant, that
there is an immense deposite of Guano,
along the shore, in low water. The waite:
we have 10 use. is the essence Of this de.
posite. and is really disgusting, although h
we had became accustomed 10 bad water.
l had the good fortune TO shoot a Peli-
can, which we sat about devouring upon
the spot. We skinned The bird, cut it in
pieces, made fire Of dry tule. and each
person taking portion, roasted it to suit
himself. We walowed i, about in the
smoke and dirt, the rushes not making
heat enough TO cook it. Alas after all our
trouble, {" the bird' was too strong for our
weak s,omachs however, it fully sufficed
for dinner, wilhou. eating it. Those that
happened to swallow bite. we're sickened.
never wish to dine on " Pelican" again.
The name OF the internal bag-throttled
creature is enough for me. We decided
to travel west along the Lake. Wild
fowl cover the water in many places for
fifty acres in extent, and their incessant
screaming would terrify an army. almost.
Towards evening we encamped, without
wood or grass as usual and after pariak-
ing of a cup Of guano tea, we lay down to
mediate upon our troubles and mislor,unes.
Bot nothing Except mosquitoes) can long
keep sleep away from the eyes Of the way
worn traveller. Distance, 20 miles
1884.
Monday, Sep. lO.-Started before day.
light, without breakfast, following the course
of the Lake. which led US in a due west
direction. Nooned, shot few blackbirds
for dinner. Several Of US waded out into
the Lake, in search Of muscles, the empty
shells Of which we saw upon the shore.
Found none, which was another disappont-
ment Killed duck or two, and ate them,
which only served TO arouse our appetiies.
Armstrong shot a, a wild colt, and wound.
ed him, but he got off, the blood running
from him ut every step. If he could have
succeeded in killing him, We would have
had fine supply of fresh meat. During
our march this afternoon, attempted 10
walk along The shore Of the Lake and shoot
some ducks, but was so weak that | could
do nothing, and was glad 10 get on the
back Of my mule again. Towards eve-
ming, I'VE discovered a gang Of elk, drinking
at the edge of the Lake. They all ran off
towards the mountain on seeing US, except
one buck, which remained in the water for
sometime. Hill Dixon having agood rifle.
and being acquainted with the habits Of
the animal. placed himself in ambush,
near the trail Of the others, and as he
came along. he fred and MORALLY woun'
ded him. He ran about two miles, when
another shot from Hill's rifle brought him
10 the ground. He wounded another, but
we did not follow him into the mountains.
We dressed the buck, and packed the
meat into camp, upon two mules. The
dressed quarters would have weighed at
least 400 lbs. This stroke Of good luck
dissipa,ed the idea Of eating our mules.
The meat proved excellent. resembling
young beef. We enjoyed rare and
bounteous feast this evening. and | think
il was seldom tina, men were more in need
Of being full fed than ourselves. Supper
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