New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-11
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE SATURDAY, JANUARY ri, 1851

| known. than the hint was Immediately taken, and
] wewere obliged 20 drink at a jurors expense,
who bad a standing account at the bar =
looked upon the whole transaction as one of the
fortunate escapes from the numerous "games OF
the kind that are continually practiced upon hon.
est purchasers Of hOrse.hesk in California, and
was exceedingly glad TO make my exit from the
town, steering a due West course over noun
tains and dales, following the Auburn ravine
which extends nearly eighty miles over one I'M
broken and rocky trail, through marshes and In
tricate dehes.
The whole of this ravine is occupied by Miners,
busy with their rockers, wherever there Is suti-
cent water to wash the dish. Here large black
wolf crossed my path but at too rapid pace TO
be effected by my revolver Traversng the ex-
tent Of this trail, it brought me 70 Level and com,
Portable road with plentiful supply OF grass and
trees; but continued on until dark, when serious
ly contemplating halt and lodging the sound Of
hammer in the distance reached my ears. II
proceeded from party of three, old Salts who
mad Just finished fencingin plot OF fifty acres
for cultivation they had also laid the foundation
of a log house for the Winter. | was invited to
stop and nurs" with them being assured that
the next town was twenty miles distant, and the
nearest tents twelve. There was but little need
Expressing, and ! was soon enjoying the first meal
in two days. newly killed curlew, fried pork,
and bakers bread, washed down by good mugot
tea formed our repast-taken upon the ground,
Turk fashion, before blazing wood fret to light US
through the supper. AS soon as this was out
was shown TO bed under brushwood between two
blankets.
Day.break found me on my way endeavoring to
make as much progress as possible ere the sun
approached with its scorching rays. l received d.
Iections from my friends as to my course, to travel
on until | encountered the Indians Pass
thence five miles, until | should reach frame
building with printed notice upon 1t, concerning
the business affairs of a certain executive iirm IN
name Walk up & Wyman' leave this and keep
the woodland on my right for two miles, to blue
tent, hich lies upon the border of the plain. |
found the land marks all literally correct, and
reached the blue tent at meridian. The twelve
mile plain below presented naught but low parch-
ed grass and above was the deep blue sky. l
brought my compass in requisltlon, took bearing,
and left the tent, steering w. by 5. course not
a path or trail was visible, and the earth was
widely cracked and dried by the intense heat OF
the Sun.
was wrong in saying nothing was visible, for
nv voice, urging on my horse aroused frequent
herds of wild cattle who but scentedthe noise ere
they were off in a swift gallOp leaving nothing but
O cloud of dust behind them. Then the prairie
dogs" impudent animals, would stand at re.
spectacle distance mute, and defy the reports OF
nv pistol This was trihe in comparison to my
horse who had grown intolerably lazy. This, In
addition to the heats of the day and the closeness
Of the atmosphere had, together, worked me INTO
q complete state OF irritation. Darhness orouPuI
me to halt on the verge of the plain bordering
the Sacramento River Taking the saddle for my
pillow, the horse blanket to spread and protect
me from the ground, left the animal to stray for
his supper, while retired without mine passing
one of the most uncomfortable nights had ex-
perenced in California. The musketoes drove
me u p before the dawn, when recoinotered Tor
my horse and continued the tour.
At 10 o'clock | reached s%"-~-';"s 80 ivy,
s+onr.d .. lie nrst' Restaurant" and did ample
Justice to a meal; after which, prepared to dis
pose of my horse where | had bought him. AS
usual /" Horseslhad fallen" "great stock was on
hand. and he had better be sold by auction" This
looked dubious my mind was made up to be
off, and my fast horse worth every cent of sl25
was knocked" down to the highest bidder at
the sum of SAC That afternoons steamer found
me on my way to San Francisco. fully satisfied
with a trip to the Mines and the improvements
that had taken place in the period of one year