The weekly Butte record., 1866-06-16
LOCAL NEWS.
For the BUTTE RECORD.
Thrilling Adventures In the Live Oak
District.
CHAPTER /.

district, until agrcrlture among the oaks had de-
generated into a s1rt Of disgracetu monopoly. Sin
gle individuals claimed wtee leagues running from
county to county, the exclusive night of which the
Government had been dragooned into ceding to
them. These grantees having once obtained pos
session. whether fradulently or otherwise, of the
choice grain and bottom land OF the region the
honest, industrious farmers-the substantial
of our country-the treasurers of national
wealth-were ousted out of their homes, and obliged
to settle down in some out-of-the-way place, on a
lot of uncleared miserable fourth-rate land which
with the utmost and labor would yield only
few bushels to the acre And this was not the only
misfortune. These srant-holders were en-
gagged in a continual series of ltigations with each
other about the charters grants SO imprudently
given by our Government to select few-agrcul-
tural aristocrats, so 10 speak. and while these IL
tigous belligerents were disputing about posses
sions which properly should have belonged to bet
ter men, the greater part of the land remained an
uncutivated waste, productive of no benefit to the
claimants to the country in general, nor to the
Governments which granted it. This was the con-
dition of affairs at the time narrative cOmmen-
The timber tract, which was the scene of the
following exploits is, if may be allowed the ex-
preston vast forest prairie, stretching back for
miles and miles from the banks of the majestic
Feather river, and extending in a north-westerly
and south-easterly direction from the ropulous
metropolis of this county, Oroville, TO those watch
towers of the valley the Butte mountains. The ex-
igencies of the period and the wishes of the inhab
itants imperatively demanded that some party or
parties should thoroughly explore and examine the
interior of this boundess region as the majority of
I l.a, tl
utmost extension of the internal grants. They had
idea that there some frstolaSs land in the
center Of the district but account of the innum
cradle obstacles presented at almost every step TO
The Traveller they had never been able TO penetrate
further than few miles into what was 10 them an
unknown country What the obstacles above men
toned we're, viii he found in the of the sub
~aaueHt story. At the Instance and repeated en-
treaties of some of the most influential members of
the community, at length two daring spirits were
persuaded 10 engage in the perilouS enterprise
The Inducements held out for their acceptance were
great. They offered by the liberal minded in
habants complete outfit to consist of two riding
horses. a pack-annal-a jack-a pair of leather
breeches each to protect ter tender limbs from the
brush, fire arms, each Henry rihe six six-shoot
erS each and small field piece mounted on a lame
mule, with a suft cheney of provisions to last
twelve-month' ; trip. The mule had been so trained
that when he was cleared tor action he spread his
legs out, and propped himself as to be able to
offer considerable resistance the conclusion which
was certain 10 follow discharge of his bow gun.
Some suggested the propriety of strapping piece
Of smaller caibre on either side 50 as To kind Of
couuterbalance the rebound of the piece OF ord
nance on deck but the suggestion not adopted,
as discharge from the top-gun, and two broad
sides at the same time, would be apt 10 annihilate
any decent mule, however well constructed he
might be. le, with all these preparations, it was
not without secret and serious miSgivingS to the
probable result that heroes permitted them
selves TO be persuaded touudertake doubtful a
business. They were well aware that the expeii-
ton would he attended with risks and dangers of
the most imminent nature; that their lives would
he eopardized by the veuture, and perhaps forfeit
ed 10y their impradence in critical situation.
Still theirs were lon-hearts. and the mere posSibil-
ity Of losing their lives in the attempt was just
enough to add increased zest TO the yearnings of
their mighty natures. The probabilities were at
the most but exciting, fascinating contingencies.
Ii they succeeded, they would become honorable
aad important honlbres in their settlement enyied
by the men, loved by the women tor the dangers
they had gone through; il they perished. their
memories would he enshrined in the hearts of their
fellow settlers. ana their names be handed down
fcom father to sou surrounded with a bright halo
of fenown. This was lar mere than their most
slnguine expectations could reasonably anticipate
in the ordinary course Of their existence So after
mature elaboration they concluded 10 go. forgot
10 mention that in addition the out fit proffered
by the inhabitants. they were also to have s5 cents
per DAY Tor every day of actual service that ior
time spent in making explorations, taking obServa-
lions. and drawing "a charts Of land surveyed by
them. and considered suitable for agricultural pur
poses. 1t was on lovely moonlight evening in
the charming month oi May, that the twaia of
..pathfnders' resolved 70 start. The beautiful
queen Of night, bright Lana shone down with re-
splendcnt hrillancy and shed Hood of fac Siivery
Light Ger tie scene. On the evening in question
she appeared to beam with peculiar and unusual
lastre as if embematic Of the prospects in store
for our heroes. They accepted the omeu; to what
extent the event verified it. nil he seen. The
nejghbors sud friends OF the valiant aGveatGgers.
had assembled At the home Of the latter 10 bid them
adieu and wish them success on their projected
journey. Above ali. their sw>ethearts we're pres
ent with weeping ewes and GiSheyeled hslF 10 'ahe
last SD farewell Of their bold lowers. 4 leave
taking Is always, under all circumstances more or
less affecting, and the siagur.ar circumstances Of
this one rendered it peculiarly All were secret
y conscious that il might be for years and it isht
be tor ever that this separation would continue
and undaunsed heroes glanced around the
congrasated multitude, they met every coaaie
nance a sympaihizius expression, and received
from every enc. small and large, cordial shake
hands. The horses and paokanimal stood at TIT
gate impatiently paving the ground and snsrchins
hasty kiss from their sweethearts, they rushes
almost frantioally forth, lest delay should site
their determination, and mounted their metiiesom
mustangs, slowly and sadly they cantered OF, leay
ing all that dearest in life the beasts they
hestFode appearing inssincnvely 10 feel the solen
.'y Of ;ae occasion; oE they elevs'e9 ,ae.. cs1ds