The Shasta courier., 1872-01-20


rubber boots and general auriferous air,
gold -digger--seated himself beside me and
began to Systematically question me regard
ing where had come from, where I was
going to, and what was my business l
knew the habits of the country too well to
resent this seeming impertinent curiosity.
and knew that it would be just as we'll to
satisfy him on all the points required as
speedily as possible. This done, my new
acquaintance (who seemed an honest heart
ed sort of fellow begged me to "nominate
spy pisin," most appropriate method of
sigoifying his desire to partake of few
drops of the fearfully violent whiskey sold
In these regions. This feat of hospitality
(Which cost him two shillings) being
accomplished, my friend, pointing to his
little log cabin on the cliff begged me to
step up that way any time I was passing.
and "him and his parduer" would be
mightg glad to see me, aud have yarn
about things in general.
I again resumed my seat on the log, and
had not done so long before I was accosted
BY a second "citizen" and much the same
process of questioning gone through h-end
ing with the same profered spirituous
hospitality-the formula being, wever,
varied in this requesting me to ''hist in a
blast y which, being done, again sat
down on the log-with wretched head
acbe-the wbiskey heing, need scarcely
say, of character unorinkable in even
homeopathic quantities, by any one but
those long accustomed to it. A few
citizens now began to collect at the sight
of stranger, with some of whom I got
into conversation. and found them Gas is
frequently the ease) far from uuinteIligeut
men, and capable and willing to supply
me with much rough, practical, geological
information regarding mines, and the
nature of the country round about. This
favorable commencement to my acquaint
ance with the Orleans Barites, was not
however to last, and in few minutes
was destined to experience the truth of
what my Swedish friend had warned me
Of Just then rough looking customer
approached the circle He was dressed in
buckskn trousers and moccasins an
old Cali fornian sombrero-a most william
Gus description of hat when it gets old
overshadowed most ruffianly style of
countenance, while over his shoulder was
heavy rife, and on his hip large Colts
revolver. AT a glance I took the fellows
character in, and was prepared for him
"Wha' dye come from, col'nl p was the
question, uttered in bullying tone of
voice-"aud whar ye gwiue to-prospect-
ing caPlate ?"
had now a wretched headache, and felt
in no temper to be bothered, especially ty
such fellow. Besides, my blood was get
ting warm at the tone of The mans voice
very different from the others--and the
half contemptuous smile and wink he gave
to those around him as he noticed my half
hesitating appearance He however mis-.
took the cause of my trepidation, l looked
at the fellow steadily; my right hand was
in my jacket pocket, and instinctively but
silently it there cooked small but terribly
effective Derringer pistol, and without his
ever suspecting anything, carelessly turned
the muzzle iof'de my pocket in the direc
tion Of his person and then l replied to
him-slowly but firmly, watching every
movement of his eye, and prepared at the
slightest hostile movement to fire.
"Well. judge, IN not aware this is the
county court and that | am at your bar
still | don't mind answering your questions.
I'm an Englishman-aged twenty five
unmarried, and no present Intention of be-
ing-of no particular profession, but a
mining engineer by inclination just at pres
ent-come from Jermyn street, London,
some four years ago, though latterly from
Manzanillo in Mexico, likewise from Grass
Valley, California; Victoria, Vancouver
Is!and-Cariboo, British Coumbia-and
lastly from Jacksonville, JOSEF fhine County,
State of Oregon. United States of America
business. my own look outgoing to
stay here as long as it suits mc-and after
| am done, intend to 90 back wbeI ce
came. Any more questions to ash If
that's not sufficient will be happy to an.
swer any more, though that's about all |
have to tell my very good riend y
The good natured crowd laughed and
apparently saw the joke. or as they phrased
it, that. stranger had got the dead wood
On Jed = but the rowdy seemed puzzled
and uncertain how to act. Finally after
looking at me for Dinute-I all the time
as steadily watching hiDi--he growled out
-"Then take drink, uurse yep