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

Iound in the bed oi deep, dark chas'h !"
he mountains. Here we encamped, and
turned our mules loose 10 browse amongsl
The rocks. Saw another " GrIzzy" l6-
tav. and several deer. Distance, 20 miles
.222l.
Monday. Sep. 3.-Conrnued amongst
Lhe mountains in a n. Z. course, and had
a hard days travel Of it. The trail is so
inds,inct in places that we could scarcely
follow II. The fact is, few but Indians
have ever passed over this road, and it is
utterly impossible for wagons 10 travel H.
Saw a small valley on our right hand, at
the distance of mile, the entire surface OF
which was as white as snow. We sup
posed i, 10 be deposie Of salt. likely the
drv bed Of salt lake. Met with num-
Der of bear and deer to-day, but they were
all at distance from US, and we could
not lose time to run after them. Encamped
in beautiful oak grove. on The edge of
small valley, well grassed. A spring OF
good water near camp. One of our COM
pany shot large calamouni, few rods
from camp. Distance 90 mIes-224l.
Tuesday, Sep 4.-llIIl Dixon and my
self, started in advance Of the company
this morning, for the purpose OF killing
game. We saw nothing but three deer
very high up in the mountain. The val
lev in which we encamped, gradually
narrowed into a ravne, down which ran
stream of clear cold water. After descend
Inp this ravne for several miles, we em-
ersed upon the broad valley of the Rio
San joaquin, al the extreme south end.
Here solitary Indian family lives, they
cultivate a few vegetables. Il would be
difficult 10 describe the desolate, barren
appearance OF the plain before US. We
could discern the mountains that bounded
the valley on the west. Not tree, shrub.
spear Of grass,or drop of water was visible.
If ever vegetation existed here, j, has en-
,ireIy disappeared. The day was excess.
lively hot, the atmosphere hazy. and in
the distance, the air and horizon appeared
to blend into one. We were almost afraid
to "launch out'' upon this wide waste. 1t
seemed to US more forbidding than the
desert of the Colorado. We had been in.
struc,ed TO keep down the valley on the
west side of the Tule Lakes, which advice
we followed, (but have since had abundant
cause TO regret.) The trail leads down the
east side, and is the route usually travelled.
We started in N. w. direction. travelling
over level plain for about 10 miles, when
we reached the head OF the first lake, after
stopping once on the way 10 rest. Saw
few an,clopes, but could not get within
shooting distance of them. Here we found
several sickly Indian families encamped,
living upon fish and muscles. The border
of the lake is thickly beset with Tule (bull.
rushes,) making it difficult TO get TO water.
1t is literally covered with wild fowl.
There is a small Indian trail down the
west side of the lakes, but there are so
many made by wild animals, that we find
it impossible to keep the right one. These
Indians are anxious 10 have US 90 across
the sIue, and travel on the east side. We
could not understand the reason. and did
not heed their warnings and advice. We
travelled until dark, finding no wood or
grass, and not being able to get TO water.
We stopped for the night. and turned our
mules loose TO browse upon the Tule, for
there was neither grass nor bushes. But
they were Immediately attacked by myr.
lads of mosquitoes, which did not make
their appearance until sundown. To pre-.
vent their running away. we were obliged
10 stand and hold them. We procured
little water 10 drink by cutting our way
through tule and mosquitoes. No wood
10 cook, and have eaten nothing since
early morning. We are again out Of
meat. We lay down, but 10 sleep was out
Of The question. The mosquitoes attack
ng US in perfect swarms.apparen'ly intent
lpon having our very "life's blood" As
much as ourselves and ANIMALS needed
sleep and rest. we thought it best 10 pack
Ip and travel, which We did at 8 o'clock
P. NJ. Being very dark we did not pre-.
end to follow the trail. The mules were
,ard 10 drive, being very hungry, and
'lill annoyed by mosquitoes. At one
o'clock A. M. it became pretty cool, the
nosquetoes left US, and we lay down to
est. Distance. 80 miIes-2279.
Wednesday. Sep. 5.-We had two or
hree hours comfortable sleep. But the
'oor mules having nothing TO eat. were
loisy and restless. AT daylight we packed
10 and travelled two miles, when we found
little salt grass, and an opening to the
vater. Here we unpacked. Wega,hered
Ip some dry weeds. and managed to cook
ONE bread and coffee. This is the first