The Sierra citizen., 1854-02-18
Sketches from our Cabin.

1EAfLo fhOA IHE MSS OF AN OLD MINER
There remained now but one DAYS
journey between the emigrant camp and
the Sacramento Valley, the haven of our
hopes for many long weary days. Early
in the morning we set out with light
hearts, determined to pass the next night
In the settlements. We had not Travelled
far until we overlook gentleman at work
trying to eXtricate from a mud-hole a
rheumatic looking horse. We were struck
with the gentlemanly air and refinement
of the man, and instinctively lent our
assistance, and in short time we were
all on our way, followed by the woe-begone
looking animal carrying the whole worldly
effects of his master.
Toward sundOwn we arrived at the brow
of the last hill overlooking the valley of
Sacramento, and taking off our frag-
mentary hats, we threw them reck-
less!y up in the air and gave shout of
welcome to the golden land Even the
old horse gave evidence of satisfaction
pricking mp his ears, as he saw the green
pastures below. In the distance was seen
the belt of timber skirting the river,
while at intervals the setting sun glanced
from the waters. The valley seemed a
vast collection of lakes and islands, with
innumerable waterfowl circling about and
skimming along the surface of the water.
Then the long weary hours spent toiling
through the sand, the midnight vigils-
kept lest the savage might steal upon us,
were all forgotten, and away we ran down
the hill merrily as the school boy, anxious
to press with our feet the green sod of the
valley.
Seven miles more to the nearest rancho.
This was passed in a twinkling imagi-
nation The continued rains had so
saturated the ground that it was impossi-
BILE to travel any where but in the beaten
road, which was in many places two or
three feet deep in water. We had no
alternative but to keep the trail. How
often we and our old horse swamped we
cannot remember, nor does it matter, but
about midnight we arrived at Lawsons
Rancho.
We found there quite an encampment.
Some enterprising Yankee had opened a
hotel on grand scale-his bar-room and
sleeping apartments occupied all out
doors. He generously consented to give
US our supper for two dollars, allowing us
to sleep on the ground in the bargain
In our simplicity we thought the accom-
modations rather scanty for the price
though we afterwards found out our
mistake. The worst of the matter remained
untold-two whole dollars were gone;
dollars that we had carried all the way
from the Estates, designing them as nest
eggs for gigantic fortune; but melancholy
to relate there were but six more left in
the treasury.
We had now leisure to examine the
state of our wardrobe, which we found
very much out of repair. The rim of our
hat hung disconsolately down, like the ears
of dog that had been vanquished in
battle; the tails of our coat had parted
company, one having been left in the
mountains as a landmark for the next
belated traveller; one leg of our panta-
looms had been amputated by too close
contact with the fire, and altogether our
appearance would have justified the belief
that we were raw recruit on our way to
join some ragged regiment. Cutting of
the remaining skirt OF our coat, thereby
making respectable roundabout, and
stuffing the longer leg of our inexpres-
sibles in our boot, we prepared to make
our debut in California society.
The following night some fifty or sixty
of us were crowded into an old blacksmith
shop, the only shelter unoccupied, and OF
course we slept but little. One poor tel
low had reached the settlement only to
die, with nothing but the cold ground for
pillow-with none who cared for him. to
lay their hands on his throbing brow-his
visions of gold grew dim, and the lamp Of
life went out. We have witnessed MANY
distressing death scenes, but never one
that wrung the agony out of the heart
like this. God how he strove with the
Skeleton King as the mists of "that un.
discovered country" began to gather
round his spirit Hard featured, sterr
looking men looked on, unable to concea
the tear that would start down the cheek
Women with hands and faces embrownet
by the sun sat beside the dying man. trying
to quiet the insane grief Of little ragged
siskly looking boy. 4 little distance off