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

are in the haoit Of coming into the valley
a, a certain season Of the year. to 'asso
horses. This art must certainly require
very fleet and we'll trained animals. We
had not Travelled long this morning before
we came in sight Of timber, which We
hailed with joy, being the first We have
seen for eight days, or since we have been
ia this valley. When we came up with
the timber, we found i, 10 border on deep
muddy stream. running south towards the
Lake. This we afterwards learned, was
Lake Fork river. which we should have
crossed. We were anxious 10 get over
but could find no fording. II appears that
We are never 10 see the end of our troubles
and perpexilies. BY most extended
calculation we had expected to be at the
mines before this time. We are now out
of provisions, and more than 100 miles from
the diggings. But we will not despair
while we have the wide world before US
and Providence for guide" Distance, IL
miles-2430.
Thursday. Sep. l3.-After failing to
cross the stream yesterday we travelled 6
miles in N. w. direction, and enc amped
on the border Of swamp, where we found
good grass, and to.erabIe wafer. This
morning we determined 10 return 10 the
river, being pretty certain, although not
sure that we should cross at that point.
We reiraced our steps, and after a long
search in vain, we gave up the idea that
we should cross there, and concluded 10
shape our course N. w., until We should
reach the Rio San Joaquin. Returned to
the place we had left this morning and en-
camped, making the loss OF another day.
Very discouraging. Distance, l6 miles
2446.
Friday, Sep. l4.-Found an Indian
trail this morning, which we followed for
several hours, when we came TO deep slue
of s,agnan, though fresh good water. Here
we found Two or three Indians encamped on
their way from the mines. They had
been working for Col. Fremont, and been
paid in blankets and clothing. These In
dams are very lazy, and will only work
for clothing, preferIing TO steal their food.
live on acorns, roots. fish &C., or do with
out. They care nothing about money land
If they happen to get any. it is immedi'
aiely spent for some article Of clothing
or ornament. These Indians Informed Us
that we were four days journey from the
mines, two from the San Joaquin river,
without atrail and difficult course. having
no landmarks, which we found pretty cor.
rect, "only more so." After hard days
march, and a very winding one, We en-
camped on patch of good grass, near
reed swamp, from which we procured
water. No wood. But we gathered a
large pile Of dry wild horse dung and set
it on fire, which answered the purpose
very we'll, and is certainly an improvement
upon buffalo chips. We roasted the last
of our elk meat and ate it this evening.
Our provision sacks are now empty. Hav-
ing nothing to cook our meat in, or with,
we were obliged TO roast it upon spits, and
il was we'll scented by the fuel. With a
good wood FIRE, this is by far the best way
Of cooking fresh meat. 1t has much
sweeter favor. We see an abundance Of
game during the day. but can not get with
in shot, the country being SO level. The
country still has the same barren appear
ance. except on the immediate borders Of
the marshes. slues, and river in the centre
Of the valley. Had we not became ac-
customed to mirage, we would be deceived
by it every day, as it is, it is hard TO dis
believe what " our eyes see." Groves Of
trees, and fats Of grass constantly appear.
ing before US, in this desert waste, and
never reaching them, only serves to make
travelling more wearisome and unpleasant.
The weather is now comfortable during
the day. and very cool at night. The hazy
state of the atmosphere continues, and
heavy dews fall during the night. Wild
horses around camp this evening. Dis
tance, rs miles-247l.
Saturday, Sep. l5.-Shortly after we
started, three antelopes crossed our path, a
short distance ahead of US, being in advance
| shot two of them, one Of which we packed
along, and gave the other to several emi.
grants who had encamped with us. and
we're also out of provisions. We shaped
our course N. w. and about IL O'Clock A.
M. reached a large slue, which we at first
thought to be the river. 1t was about 30
yards wide, deer, but we could observe nc
current, although the water was clear and
fresh, and abounded in fish. On the ives,
of us we saw a heavy line of timber, follow
ing down the slue in that direction We soor
reached IFS junction with the San Joaquin