The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-07-24

ffty-second day after our departure from BAL
timore We left our poor horses, reduced
by fatigue, at little hamlet of huts {the last
on the plains, and we crossed on foot, the
last chain between those two enormous noun
tains Long Peak and James's Peak On the
other side Of the mountains there appears Q
beautiful valley, traversed in the middle BY
the Rio Bravo del Norte. At this point the
names are no longer English, but Spanish
We enter into the domains Of the sons Of
Cortez.
degenerate sons! who have preserved but
one only Of the grand passions Of old Spain
covetousness, ardent and Unsuitable.
awe remained two days at Santa Fc to
recuperatc and then we travelled to the Sierra
Verde, which alone scparted us from tho land
Of gold.
Il come now to our FIRST adventure in the
mountains Of California, because it brings be-
fore you, my good friends, the Golden Dag.
GERS and from it you will learn the origin OF
the curious weapon which you have this even
ing had in your hands.
1--WE had followed for eight days, under q
scorching sun. the banks Of the Rio Colorado,
when we left that river and directed our course
towards the Sierra Nevada, which weperceived
afar off, its summit covered with snow. The
scene around us changed rapidly. Soon we
commenced ascending sort Of rocky path, on
the right Of which flowed torrent Of reddish
water Benolt stopped suddenly. saw him
grown pale, and he pointed with his finger,
without speaking, to a turn of the path above
u.s. I raised my eyes and looked with open
mouth-not frightened, but charmed. Two
little Cordilleran lions, lively and active as
cats, were playing in the middle ofthe path.
They look pleasant enough at a distance,
said the sage Benoit, but: nearer, they are
much large, and can knock you down with
ono blow Of the paw !.
a'Arc yen the father Of . family, Bcnoit?
asked him.
"Benoit had not time to answer me a
shot echoed among the rocks One OF the
beautiful little lions bounded from his place,
fell raised himself again. tottered toward the
edge Of the ravine, lost his equilibrium, and
fell almost at our feet. The other lion crouch
ed, and by prodigious leap, gained the rocks
from which the report Of the gun had pro-
ceeded.
Get your carbine ready, Benoit,' said l
to my valet, 4 believe we shall presently find
some one from whom to inquire our route"
"sWho goes there? cried at the time, a
voice from some invisible person, with a
strong auvergen accent.
s;Friendsv ANSWERED, at hazard.
"a discharge Of musketry, which caused
the prudent Benoit to fall fiat upon the ground,
announced to ME the death of the second lion.
cat the same time the head ola column
showed itself on the right, where lately played
the two noble animals. They were for the
most part small and thick-set men, bronzed
liked those personages who are showing IN
Roman has relicB They wore sort OF uni-
form-a red Shirt worn as cloak, with a
yellow edge, bordsred with black lace; pan
falcons Of dark green velvet, the seams orna-
mented with buttons; hats made Of the bark
of tree. They we're armed to the teeth.
SAT distance Of fifty stops the chief check
ed me.
nsAre YOU Americans 2 he asked Of me in
very bad Spanish.
awe are French, answered.
"'There will soon remain nobody in Eu-
rope" said, he, in tone of chagrin, turning
towards his companions. "Here are some
Frenchmen meddling with US"
"IIe gave at the same time, the command,
Forward, march The company advanced
toward US.
81 stood aside, politely, to give him pas
sage. The clething of the knayes, which
looked well enough at distance, seemed t.
be rags when they had come nearer. When
the chief passed, he said to us
"'Salute, gentleman; | am the Adalld
awe saluted, and he carefully touched hi
ragged bark hat.
aThero we're few less than thirty Of them
Nearly every one had large chain of gold
which contrasted strangely with their tatters
In the centre Of the group four men carried
upon litter human body, the head o
which was cnveloped in handkerchief Of ret
silk.
"sIs that man dead?' I asked.
"sNo. thank Godp answered the man VIII
blocked up the path. This man is worth
hundred thousand dollars, if you are worth
crown
ssThus saying, he put the end Of his fngc
upon my canteen, which | made haste to otfe
to him. He emptied it at draught, and hal
the goodness to return it to me. An instan
afterwards the Adalid and his ragged sol
diers had disappeared in the georges of tn
mountains The two lions had been quickl
despoiled Of their skins, and their. carcasse
were laying in the middle Of the path.
a'If the gentlemen would like to refres
themselves at my cot, said a cultural voice
speaking from beautiful clnmp OF maple tree
on the other side of the ravine, it will eos
them only:four dollars apiece, and will gu'
rantee them good repast. The Golden Dag
gers have sold me quarter of beef
"a quarter of beef! Fancy to yourselves
ladies', what joyous feelings that simple wor
/ roast. beef gives rise to in famished traveller
travcrsing the snowy mountains We in
mediately sought the path by which we nigh
reach our host, who said to us.
"'My cot is here. willrejoin you pre-
sently'
s.Ihe cot was a miserable howell, dirty a
1 the hut Of an Esquimaux. The hcsitable col
ter was there almost as soon as We. He cal
ricd under cloth an object Of which We di
not understand the nature.
| .ssBe at your ease,' he said, in passing tn
4 principal apartment to reach tho little reces
which served for kitchen.
| ssSoon We recognized the agreeable odor {
broiled meat.
kov,