Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-11-21

Many of our citizens remember the brief stay
here. about month ago of J. r. Best, Esq, of
the us Lighthouse Board, and his young trav-
cling companion, Charlie, son Of Captain Reed,
the well-kn0Gn warehouseman of Sacramento.
He went from here to Cape Blanco on lighthouse
service, and the thrilling adventure experienced
by himself and Charlie on the 26th of October,
as narrated below, has been furnished to the
San Francisco Times, to which city they lately
returned by the coast route :: ss
This has been memorable day to us, and one
that will long be remembered. We left Lower
Gold Bluff mining camp at TAM. Our trail
was along the beach at the foot of the bluff We
got along, however, very well for about two
miles, when came to point of rocks that
projected considerable distance from the bluff.
Around this point, and by narrow gap between
it and another point of rocks, was our only way
of getting along, as there was no other trail.
thought that by waiting until heavy sea re-
ceded, and then dashing by at full gallop, we
could get past without getting wet. therefore
waited until three heavy seas had broken, and
the last receded we started our horses, but the
sand being very quick the animals sank to their
knees in it, and before we got half way across
heavy sea broke in and swept US off our horses
into the surf. The next sea swept me back, and,
fortunately, managed to keep from being swept
out again. AS soon as l reganed my feet aud
got the sand out of my eyes looked about to
see what had become of my boy and the horses,
and, to my horror, l could see neither. My feel
ings were indescribable. Looking toward the
sea, saw Charles scarf floating the top of
the surf as the receded. 1t the most
terrible sight that ever met my eyes. | hest
tated for moment, for | fully realized the dan
ger, and thought that could not get out alive,
as was then exhausted. l another sea
coming, and had no time to lose. started for
Charlie, and had got within about eight feet of
him, when the sea combed ready to break.
threw myself forward and fell on the edge of the
surf, and just within reach Of Charlie. | caught
him by his shoulders just as the broke, and
the next instant we were both swept up the
beach with the velocity of lightning. We were
washed under the bottom of a large root and
such was the force of the that we firmly
wedged under it. As the receded, it washed
us out. felt that we were going, and let go my
left hand from Charles jacket, and caught at
the root. Fortunately, | got firm hold. 1t
was terrible grip for me, for the force of
the water such that it almost pulled my
army out of its socket. Up to this time Charlie
had not spoken, and could not tell whether he
dead or not. When the water left u.s. |
told him to climb up the root. The poor boy
looked around at me, and to my dying day
shall never forget that look-it was so imploring
and showed such terrible fear. told him that |
no time was to be lost, and that he must try to
get over the top of the root, and the rocks, or
we should both be lost. | had helped him half |
way up, when another broke in and threw US
over the top of the root and on its trunk on the
other side. Here managed to hold on until
the water went out again. when we both climbed
up on the rocks, and were out of danger.
We looked about us, and found our horses had |
got ont all right, but were trembling with fear. |
found that Charlie had cut in the back |
of his head. A piece of driftwood had struck |
him while in the surf, and had stunned him,
leaving him perfectly helpless. We both felt
deeply thankful for our narrow escape from |
death. We then caught horses, and had
ride of twenty-three miles to Trinidad, where we
dried our clothes, and made ourselves in some |
degree comfortable.