The Placer herald., 1864-01-30

for had neither bride or rope to catch them
with-and both put their heads quietly down to-
gether. and made a break for the same SPOT,
which l found to be a spring. 1t was race be-
tween the mules and myself which would drink
the most Thirst having been satisfied. built
fire and took light supper-that is. lit my pipe
and was quietly cogitating over the beauties OF
a trip to the Colorado mines, when a man came
plump before me- "Halloa!" says /" "are you
iost?'' mo" says he, ''are you?" AS he wouldn't
own up l thought had better, so says, Eyes.
am" "Where are you gong?' said he "To
Fort Mojave." "Oh, you're on the wrong road
this is the III Dorado Canon road" "That can't
be-" said, IL passed the junction yesterday ,and
have not been back that far since" well sir, by
- Pm just from El Dorado Canon and know
this road.' So caved on that point. Here he
laid back and took long, hearty laugh at me for
being lost on the highway. "Well," says he,
what are you doing here?" said, defensively,
that 'there is water here" To which he replied
Eyes, there's poison spring here" THE ID
there is--well l have just drank very heartily of
it," 'Well," says he, Il saw it kill jackass
mighty dead a few months since" Here he went
and tasted the water and much to my relief pro-
nounced it good at this time. Seeing my desti-
tute condition. he invited me to go along with
himself and companion Ca dutchmam up the
canon a half mile, where they were going to
unpack their mule and camp for the night, and
I should have some ''muck-a-muck." So they
gave me of their meat and bread and coffee, and
| was refreshed; and around the campfire learn
ed that was twenty-siX miles from Rock Spring
and nineteen off my road; that was at Lewis
Spring u place where traveller did not ordnar
lily pass once week. l found my good samaritan
was Tom Harris. from Boonville, Mo-, a very in
teligent man, and rather opposed to the present
Administration. He had participated in some of
the scrimmages in Missouri, and limped from
wound at Wilson'S Creek. | thought it improper
to ask Thomas which side he fought on. bu from
fI; hn mi tp1 tn tric thp
natives of New England, | fear he would not be
considered thoroughly loyal in Boston. However,
he gave me kindly of his food and drink, and OF
his blanket, and hope his shadow may never
grow less, and that fortune may crown all his eff
forts. He told me he had lived in Placer in 40
and so.
To shorten this long story, let me say that the
mules were caught next morning, l made my way
to Rock Spring, and on Christmas day-mues
Jacks Nc. Bob, and your corrcspondent-were
all encamped at Pah- Ute creek. and the second
day following we crossed the Colorado, and arc
now in the Territory of Arizona.
1t has been quite cold ever since we started on
the road. | have two pair of WOODEN and one
gum blanket, and cannot keep warm at that At
Rock Spring the cold seems to culminae. 1t
made ice an inch thick. heavy frost and was
obliged to replenish the campfire at two in the
morning in order to stand it, | taneied | was
cold until looked at my guide book, where
found the author saying 1T may be well to re-
| mind the adventurer, that he is going into
warm climate, where no great amount Of heavy
clothing will be required, though the nights are
sometimes cool, and an extra blanket might be of
service" | felt satisfied that had not brought
that extra blanket" | am, however, reliably
informed, that over this same route in summer
season it is intensely hot, night and day, and do
not doubt it all.
This vicinity should say on the same princi
pie that the man recommended his dog as good
''coon dog" must be famous for minerals GER
| tainly it is fit for nothing else. But as now
know nothing of it myself, shall pass no opinion
on it. The officers at the Fort to whom | had
| letters. received me very kindly. They assure
me it is the richest mineral region on the Pacific.
| The Indians in this vicinity are pcaceabe.-
There are no placer dlgsings here, and but little
doing on the ledges. Provisions are at starvation
priccs-hour rs cents, bacon Is cts, and whiskey
another necessty-scarceIy to be had for love
or money.
Unless man has plenty of dimes he has no
business here-l shall leave soon. There are not
citizens enough to make any business and the
| soldiers are not on that lay. Persons comm q
here from Walkers and Weaver's diggngs can
get little grub on charity from the commissary
If they are going into the settlements not
otherwise. | fear there is much suffering. With
my experience and the prospect now before ne, |
could not advise any man--unless a capitalist to
| come here
Now, Mr.. Editors, have promised about seven
hundred and fifty persons to write them, and this
| is the letter devote to them. | have written it
by the camp fire, on my saddle bags--a rather
difficult job-and if any of them don't like it
when they have got this far, let them pitch it to
the dogs | have only one thing more to an
nounce--thlt is the premature demise of one of
our little jennies She departed this life the
night after our arrival in Arizona. and is now |
hope in horseheaven, but | think with her cx-
pcrence--her soul will not go marching on"
Yours, ETC. IA.
TABLE OF DISTANCES. Miles.
Los Angeles to Ell Monte. .......l4 IA