The Sierra citizen., 1854-08-12


and the Major. He became very reserved
and dry toward NE, and didn't seem dis
posed to beias talkatiye and friendly as
formerly. The craven hound thought I
would encroach on the ground I had
given, but he was mistaken. This is not
the only instance of ingratitude I have
observed within the last FIVE years; but it
is nothing more than might be expected;
for Nature in making up, from motives of
economy, sometimes uses the odds and
ends, and sends her bad work into the world
as contrast to her more creditable pro-
ductions.
While the others were at work, one
staid at camp to cook. We supposed
that it would be the month of May before
any more provisions could be had, and we
made our calculations accordingly; -four
was only used once day-that was in the
morning. The dough was put into the
oven in six equal parts, so that each one
knew exactly what to depend on... We
dined on beans and rice, Except on Sunday,
when we of course had something extra.
Sunday was our wash day; we used hot
water and ashes in lieu Of soap-suds--no
very bad substitute after all. During this
time was making out very we'll, seldom
making less than pound day, and some
times as much as twenty and even thirty
ounces by myself, Afterwards Potter
worked with me, and on rainy days when
we didn't care about going far. to work,
we worked at intervals opposite where
Craycoft's mill now stands, and sometimes
made three or four ounces in few hours.
These were the palmy days of gold dig
ging, nothing being paid out, for the rea-
son that there was nothing to buy. The
gold was dried on the shovel, and weighed
in pair of scales big enough to weigh
provisions in, with lead weights to match.
Nevertheless, we talked about finding
better diggings when the spring opened,
and contemplated a prospecting expedi-
ton where we might do better.
Mr.. Woods, and company sold us a
quantity fproTisions that had been left at
the Negro Tent, then known as "The
Hollow Log" We started after it on the
25th of February, 1850, and that night
we camped at that somewhat noted locali-
ty. Thirteen men lodged inside of the
Hollow Log, and had very comfortable
quarters considering the way-side accom-
modations Of that time. While there, our
old acquaintance, Cut-Eye Foster, and
another man paid US visit; they were the
first arrivals that spring
] think it as we'll to be particular about
this part Of the story, as there are some
who think that this was the route of the
Gold Lake party, when they fed from
the Indians, and Captain Stoddart still
sticks to it, that in February he swan a
stream which he is confident was one of
the Yubas, and brought up somewhere
near the Negro Tent. 1t is not possible,
however, for Jack Smith, who camped at
Goodyear's was up the hill several times
after beef that had been killed on the
mountain, and the only troublesome Gus
toners he ever met were bears, that
sometimes helped themselves to beef when
it was left within their reach.
We were all attacked with the prospect
ing fever, and needs must find better dig
gings before the rush commenced in the
spring, otherwise we might get elbowed
out in the general scramble. My partner
went up to Twists Flat, as it is now
called, and found very rich spot oppo-
site Negro Point. While he was gone
took out thirty ounces, but when he re-
turned he thought we had better leave
the old claim, as we had got the best of it.
The next day he went back to his new
claim, and brought back tlnirty-two ounces;
and the two ounces he had over my day S
work gave him more salts faction than all
the rest put together.
We 1earned that there were a great
number Of people at ..sleighyille, on their
way to the Forks, and none of US liked
the idea of being surrounded by inter
'lopers. We could easily leave the Forks
with bur blankets, but what was to be
done with the gold !? If we We went below
with It we would be killed on the road; at
all events we would be robbed So we
thought; and so we didn't go below.
Jack Smith and two or three others