Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-03-26


sons that ever travelled down this deser
side of the valley, which We have since as
certained. The river is about GO yards
wide, and from to 4 feet deep at this
place. The curren, runs at the rate Of ]
miles per hour. The wafer is very cold
clear and good. 1t runs on bed Of sand
which is bespangicd with fakes of''m'ca'
resembling gold. and abounds in fine hsA
called mountain trout, Of the same species
that we caugh, in the head wniers Of the
Rio Gila. The banks of the river are
skirled with thick growth Of large and
small willows and underbrush. The entire
bed of the river is several hundred yards
| in width, and The banks Is feet high, which
are no doub, full in times Of high wa'er'
We are encamped on the great bend OF
the river, which few miles west OF us,
flows off in N. w. direction. 1t rises in
the Sierra Nevada mountains. and flows
S. +. 10 this point, there its general course
is N. W. TO its mouth. We have not YET
had glimpse Of The Sierra Nevada range.
Distance, 20 miles-249l.
Sunday. Sep. l6.-Eight Of our mules
were missing this morning, and we did moi
recover them until noon. We trailed them
several miles. and found them amongst a
band of wild horses. We had great diff
Guilty in separa ling Them from the horses
and what seems strange, the mules thai
were broken down the evening before were
amongst, the number. The wild animals
had led them away from camp during the
night. They are "a great annoyance 10
travellers. However. this delay proved a
fortunate circumstance 10 US. We did moi
move camp. Cap. Dixon shot two ante.
lopes, and one Of orr men who crossed The
river in search Of the los, mules, met a
company of gold diggers on prospect.
ing" expedition to Kings River. which,
believe is branch Of the San Joaquin.
Their Captain, Mr.. Wakes is an old 10.
dian trader, has been in this country some
years, and visited the States six timrs, by
the overland route. He gave US a great
deal of information concerning this country,
the gold mines &c. But what was better
than all. we purchased three days rations
of American flour from them. This was
very providen.ial. We gave 50 cts. per
quart for it, which was reasonable. These
various matters occupied our time during
the day. Indications of rain, but none
fell. We actually suffered from cold du.
ring the night.
Monday, Sep. l7.-Found shallow
iording, and crossed the river early this
morning. We hurried the mules through,
which prevented ;heir miring IN the quick
sand. We were advised by Cap. Walkers
company, to continue up the river days
march, and then strike in N. E. direction
for the mountains. We nooned at some
deserted Indian wigwams, and caught
some fish Tor dinner, which we roasted in
the ashes. The country lies higher on
this side Of the river, but is almost as sterile
as the other side. The earth is Of the
same ashy nature, into which the mules
sink at every step. The surface is made
irregular by the numerous little hillocks
scattered over it. We encamped on the
bank Of the San Joaquin, which is certain
ly a pretty stream, runs in a clear bed, is
as clear as chrystal, and very meanderlns
| in its course. Distance, 90 miIes-25ll.
Tuesday, Sep ls.-I.eft the river this
morning, and travelled in N. E. direction
by the compass. In short time the
mountains became visible, when we bore
due north for them, and reached the table
land about 2 o'clock P. NJ. The day was
very hot, and we nooned without water for
ourselves and animals. Packed up, and
scent the rest Of the day in search Of water
but found none, and were obliged TO
encamp without it. We found green
spo, whore there had lately been water,
and had good grass for the mules Dis
tance, 20 miles-253l.
Wednesday, Sep. ls.-These noun
,ains are very barren, but there is spe'
cies of oak growing in the ravines. To
produce acorns for Indian food, and make
I6re wood, is all this tree is fit for. 1t is
large and branching, but very short in the
trunk. After an hours drive. we came 10
a small, clear running stream. Supposing
this 10 be one Of the mining rivers. and
within reach Of provisions. we ate our last
small ration Of bread and meat, Of which
we were much 10 need, having eaten moth.
ing since yesterday morning. All hands
were certain that we would have our "eyes'
at least, full Of gold dust in less than twen-
ty-lour hours. and Of course, once in the
diggings, we could get something TO eat'
and "all about supper" in the mines
NJ