The Sierra citizen., 1854-02-25
Sketches from our Cabin.


LEAVES FROM THE MSS. OF AN OLD MINER.
The 4th of November 1849, will be long
marked in our calendar. On that day we
arrived at the Feather River Meadows in
company with about one hundred emf
grants, as forlorn looking party as ever
greeted California as their future home.
There we found numerous parties huddled
around their camp-fires, or engaged in
building bark shanties to check the force
of the sleet and rain, which had for several
hours been falling with a perseverance
that need only be felt. to be understood.
Old blankets and fragments of wagon
covers were stretched on poles, with a
huge pine-knot fire built in front. Under
these temporary shelters little groups
were collected, in which might be found
yariou specimens Of the genus homo,
some smoking their pipes and specializing
on the probable consequences of the storm,
with sangfroid peculiar to mountain
men, at the same time telling stories of
their expeditions in the Rocky mountains
where they encountered snow storms, in
comparison with which the present was
nothing but squall.
Some of us took up our quarters at the
foot of leaning tree which had been
excavated by the fire; one of those giants
of the northern forest whose shadows have
for ages fallen on the haunts of the wild
deer and the savage, and very soon the
light Of our campfire chased away half
the horrors of night in the wilderness.
Finding it impossible to spread our
blankets on the ground, already standing
in pools of water, we were compelled to
stand by the side Of the tree all night long,
holding blankets overhead Very soon
these slight coverings became saturated
with water so that we were compelled to
throw them away and breast the storm
until morning.
We were never given to melancholy or
1ackadaisical croaking but for once we
felt inclined to QUARREL with destiny. Our
thoughts turned back to the cheerful fire
which we left burning ON the paternal
hearth and we inwardly resolved that if
we got safely out of this trouble we would
return home, settle down in some quiet
neighborhood and leave off all mountain
voyaging. But after long tedious night,
day at length began to chase the shadows
from the hills, revealing rhe snowy crests Of
the mountains through which we had to
pass.
Despatching scanty breakfast, we pre-
pared to resume our journey, but while
walking round the camp our hearts sank
within us at the appearance of the suffering
animals The faithful OK that had toiled
over the sands lay beside his masters tent
perishing with cold. Half the animals
were already dead and the remainder too
feeble to drag the wagons through the
snow which was gradually deepening and
blocking up the way. We shall never
forget the appealing looks of the poor
animals as they made last effort to rise,
and sank back in mute despair.
Here and there little groups were col
lected, talking in subdued tones and
looking apprehensively at the lofty hills,
where the spirit of the storm seemed to be
reveling in the drifting snow. Children
crept close to their mothers, and holding
their little half frozen hands over the fire
asked why she had brought them away
from their old home on the prairie, and
when she would take them back.
Having yoked up such of the cattle as
were able to travel, we filled a couple of
wagons with the women and children, and
such as were unable to go on foot and again
resumed our march. Slowly and painfully
the little caravan toiled up the hill. Some
went before to tread down the snow, while
Others followed in the rear. Every few
hours the sharp crack of the rife reminded
us that another animal had given out and
been shot to end his suferings.
Night found us but few miles from
our last nights encampment. The snow
had ceased and we began to fall in with
numerous small parties who were camped
by the way waitingfor the storm to cease.
Having still supply of provisions we
were hailed joyfully by these way-farers,
whose supplies were running low. Here
we determined to camp and wait for the
snow to settle. Cutting down branches
of the fir, we spread them in front of the
fire and prepared to "turn in." This wa
not attended with much circumstance u
as many of us had thrown away our bed
ding and were reduced to the necessity of
stretching ourselves before the fire, and
when the weather-side became too cold for
endurance We walked up and turned over.
In the morning council was held in
which it was determined that such as we're
able to travel should go on to the settle
ments for relief Half an hour more found
company of us on the way, leaving our
companions in the deep pine forest. All
day long we toiled through the snow.
stopping at the numerous camp-fres left
burning by others farther on the way,
until toward night we gained the summit
of a hill overlooking little valley where
numerous camp-6res sent up columns of
blue smoke. We had now passed the
snowy mountains. and fastening down the
hill utterly forgetful of our past sufferings
we soon found ourselves in the midst of a
venison feast. How we slept that night
a,untroubled by the icy spectres of cold and
narration!