Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-29
MAlliA'a Journal.


dozen, so we ate them, until we were com
pletely eggs-saucc-tcd. Butter could not be
had, and the flour war made from spring wheat
80 the bread was dark and moist.
Converted S. w. corner Of tent into hos
pital. The men shot several times at wild
gcese-wild geese up above thought that there
were wilder geese below, no few higher still
As could not find the soft side Of the boards,
| made my bed on the ground again, M it be-
Ing wet made II much softer, and very con-
ducive In promoting the ague.
Friday, 10Th. Very cold and cloudy. Wa.
ter brought from the slOughs. Drinking fluid
rather dark-discovcred forty shakes Of the
ague, nine tad-poles, seven frogs, five snakes
and wigglc-tails innumernble In every pail. full.
p. went over to South English, when he came
back he said there was great excitement in
the town, as the people had discovered n huge
iceberg, covering twenty acres, and three hun.
dred feet high. On close examination IL was
found to be inhabited by three children, three
white bears, one sea serpent and one mermaid.
The men were coming from all parts to See
the mermaid, and the women had armed them
selves with guns to dispatch her; hut =. told
them that she spoke only the Russian Ian.
guage, so they spared her life, and he return
cd to camp.
Saturday, 10th. The mir is n little warmer,
but We think that we won't have any dry
weather an long as this wet spell halds, -Seour.
I'd the knives by running them in the ground.
Didn't mop floor, and sweep hall stairs, but
put water ON the stove, SO aS to soak off some
Of the Iowa dirt, and to make an elaborate
toilet, az was invited to take ten in Mrs. q. =
tent. Mr.. g. says we must pull up stakes, for
ha n,oks ha,, cOS. I'm h,,ru
Almost resolve IN tattoo my face, let my hair
hang down, wear my big blue apron, and sit
quiet for half an hour, because the gnl.party
is spoiled. Went to South English. Stopped
in log house to warm, while the men pitched
the tents. Two girls rushed out and put a
hoop In the bottom Of their dresses in honor
Of our arrival. Old man grum-old woman
sociable. First well water we huvc had to
drink.
Tuesday, 10Th. Pleasant day. Roads better.
In going through deep mud.holc, ono Of the
whipple.trees brOkc-t0ok q rnil from fence
and made another. We safely crossed tho
Skunk flats, which had been much dreaded
by all. Soon came to South Skunk river
went down steep hill, forhcd river II little
ways, and then ferried across and found fine
camping ground.
Wednesday, goth. Stopped q while in OSca'
loosa, very fine place. We had TO ferry the
pretty river Dcs Moincs After one load had
been lerricd over. VIC had 10 wait until stone
was fastened to the rope which was then low
cred In the river, so that stern-wheel boat,
the Chas. Rogers, might pass-a cunning lit
tie steamer that had been up TO Fort DeS
Moincs, sixty miles above here. At last we
went on board the ferry which wns drawn
across the river by means of a windlass or
capstan, LANDED in Bellclountnin, q miserable
looking place. Camped on hill.
Monday, Goth. have been very sick with
the aguc. Started very early. 1Iad long,
stony, winding hill to go up-Polly skittish
and baulky, and jumped and backed so that
thought our light wagon would run off into
tho gully; so jumped out, and walked up the
hill, while the horses ran and jumped, which
frightened me, and Of course set me to sha-
king. Cloudy, chilly day. Went twelve miles
over an unbrOken prairie AS was 30 very
sick, had my bed made in the wagon. Mrs.
G. was asleep, leaning on basket which she
had placed in the seat, and in going through q
slough, the wagon tipped suddenly throwing
her on one side, and nearly uPsetting tho wAg
on, 80 that the men held It up, and pushed il
out Of the hole. Saw boy on home-,nan.
ufactured dcor-a cOmcal sight After com.
ing twenty three miles, We found n few trees
on small stream. Clouds gathering fast. Il.
went to shoot prairie hen, and the pistol cx.
plOded, hurting his hand badly. When the
cook was pouring the gravy into basin, some
0fthe grease spNttcrCd on the stove, and caught
Gre, blazing up to the top Of the tcnt; and in
order to prevent greater illumination, the
basin was knocked on to the ground, and all
the gravy spilled. At supper, u basin Of hot
tca was upset in r. sleeve, thus hurting his
other arm. Tho rain began 10 fall, and started
me from my bed, as 1t iNOd through the tent,
and wet us all. We made preparations for n
stormy night. When We retired, put my
shawl under the bcd-clothcE, and my CATERS
under my pillow to keep them dry. We are
soon awakened by the roaring Of Heavens
artillery, and the vivid flashing Of the light
ming; while the rain poured down in torrents,
running In the tent, and sAturNting our beds
Finally the wind changed, and the rain bent
through the gable end Of tho tent on INC in
such streams that raised up 10 find some
thing to wrap around my head, when down
came the poles IL caught hold Of one to pre-
vent Il cracking my devoted head, lodged from
under II, sprang up IN bed, and pulled oil the
bed.clothCs over my head, while tho rain
poured In torrents on your humble servants
head and back. hallOcd! screamed aloud
shouted that the tent was down; but Mr. Z.
very dcmurely says-."Oh guess not" and
raised up his head, when sheet of water
struck him kGr-SIdp in the c0untcnancc. Mrs.
Y. remained "All curlcd up in u little heap"
and kept that part Of her bed dry; but he
bounded up, dispensing for the time being,
with his pair Of WnthinkGbOHt0LlS, having
only tho flashes Of lightning to guide him in
his movements. IlO called loudly and fro.
qucntly for Mr.. NJ, but no answer could be
heard, as the tent was down flat on our heads.
At last Mr.. M. crawled over the trunks, from
under the tent and without taking time to
make an elaborate toilet, he rushed towards q
pole, frantically seized it, and held it up;
whiC Mr.. G. in similar attitude at the Oppo-
site end, stood yelling to tho boys in tho wag-
Ons to help U.S. Finally they heard the cries
for help above tho din Of the storm and the
roar Of tho wind, and they leapcd from their
wagons, which had nearly been overturned
into the stream; and with drenChcd clothing,
and lantern In hand, came to disclose to our
view such q cOmical scene. At either end OF
the tent stood II. aud c. holding up the posts,
while the continuation Of their shirt. collars
were waving in the breeze, and the rain drip.
ping thcrefrom. Mrs. NJ. thought to lay her
child In dry place, and ker.splash he went
into the water, her bed being full of Il 30 she
crawled out with him in her arms, and stood
bent over, all vet and dripping. Mrs. @. lay
covered up Ia bcd-and sat up with the
blankents over my head to "shed rain" while
every article In the tent was wet. WO were
right merry over our mishap, and soon the tent
has In No.