Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-03-21
ORIGINAL.
PIONEER PAPERS.
The Reunion of Scattered Household Continued.

BY IVoE.
The scene witnessed that day had left melan-
choly tinge upon the minds of all in camp, but
the night passed quietly, and the first streak Of
dawn was observed by every eye. Tim up
as usual, merry as a lark, and fully prepared to
assume whatever post Of duty was assigned him.
He and Charley set about getting breakfast, and
the Judge, Grotus and myself started out to hunt
the mules, for we had not tied the animals as was
the usual custom at night. We paid dearly for
our neglect on this occasion, for after travelling
some five or six miles, we succeeded in finding
them. On our return to camp we found that Tim
had prepared the breakfast, and after waiting for
a long time, became impatient, and in company
with Charley bad started in another direction in
search of the mules. In the camp everything
was confusion. A band of California cattle had
passed through it in their flight and tossed the ar
ticles into irregular piles, Those who have new
er seen a large band of California cattle can form
no idea of the fury and danger of a " stampede"
The fight of a herd of bnGaloes on the plains is
rather an interesting sight to witness, but there
is not that danger to be apprehended from con
tiguous position to band of builaloes, as to the
wild cattle of California. | have seen instances
where persons endangered their lives by ap-
put to rights, and breakfast disposed of. All
hands were busy in preparing for the start EV-
cry person in camp was a novice in the art OF
packing, so it was but natural to expect confu-
sion and mishaps in the outset. Tim was head
packer, so of course all the packing was done &C
cording to his orders. We succeeded after two
hours and half hard labor in packing three an
imals and making start. 1t was the start for
the mines We were actually going to where
gold was picked up so easily-where big Jumps
were found and fortunes made so soon,
We had only proceeded about three miles on
the road when one of the packs got loose and
turned on the mule. All haste was made to ad-
lust it, but before we could succeed in doing so
the mule took fright from the noise and jngling
of the coffee pot and frying pan, which had been
packed on him. This was, as Charley said, &" a
mighty thing" but it couldn't be helped. After
the mule had circlcd round several times and sue
ceeded in distributing the pack, we caught HIM
and gathered up the scattered cargo. This took
some time and caused US much delay. The pack
saddle was materially injured, and ii was almost
impossible to make anything hold, even by lash
ing it on with raw hide rope. Gentle reader, il
you have not experienced the trials, confusion
and embarrassment Of first trip of packing, you
can have no idea of its difficulties. The hops
of soon realizing fortune however, made the
many embarrasmcnts We experienced light anc
easy. Having tightened the packs on all the an
imals, we rolled out, as Tim would say, bu
did not get more than four or five miles before
two of our packs came loose again. 1t happen
cd that they were on very kind and quiet ani
mails, and thus saved us from having to agaiI
pick up our little traps" Everything being
put to rights for a second time, we made anothe
start and camped at sundown on the banks of tn
Yuba. There was something very pleasant il