The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-18

The town Of Otiville was In gala attire
for spring had come 20 make an early call.
rs usual March winds don't whistle
through the valleys. nor su0wilakes come
and linger as they have "a habit Of doing
east 50 the roses were not afraid Of
Jack Frosts" cool touch end were pro
fuse in their blushing beauty The orange
trees we're white with sweet scented buds
aud purple and white violeis were per
flaming the air
We. that u.s. Belle Corea. Mabel Black
and / were visiting all old school friend
lately married. and living in q lovely
home In the Gem Of tho Foothills, a.
Oriyilie Is called We we're q merry party
for Clara Agncw. our hostess. was Of our
own age. and her hubby. "a prince OF
good fellows. just devoted TO her
For our pleasure they planned daily eA
Cursions. ON horseback or by carriage 70
various places of interest. We had already
visited Foil River falls tho miniature
Yosemite of northern California, we hac
been on the north fork Of the Feather
river. where camping ont over night was
not the least Of our pleasures.
When the moon came over the tall. dark
pines il sent brilliant shafts Of light across
Tho snowy mountain peaks above us, ana
the warm night air was fragrant with
mingled pine and apple blossoms from the
valley far below
We had just returned from carriage
ride. and Clara was planning a trip to
Kanaka peak She had heard the Digger
Indians were later this year in having
their burn. and were now mastering To-
the peak from their various camps lh
American Valley. Dog Town and San Juan
We had heard OF their strange custom al
burning clothing. baskets and nu thch
valuables IN fact thinking that the smoke
would mise and form into those same
articles tor the use of their friends IN the
land of spirits
They don't like white people to come.
Clara said
But as we were auTi0us TO see burn
and had all promised MOTTO speak IN meet
ia1. she thought ve might go-that Is
If She could ret sufficient male escort, say
about three beside her OVID husband. and
then we each would have protector
So early one bright morning We started
with span of horses Chinanan cook
and pack mule called Jack On TINS
beast OF burden we put our tents ana lhe
necessary provisions Sometimes the COOK
t0wed the jack. sometimes he mounted 1t
Our horses were fresh and the blackboard
light. so we soon left the valley behind
and assembled the foothills and climbed
the Sieras by q wen graded road, that
seemed 10 MS rather dangerously near the
steep canyons and deep ravines.
We passed String Town. formerly q
mining claim aud rode on up the steep
hills tin We came 10 valley surrounded
by tall. sentinel like pines Thon, as il
was : o'clock We stopped near Eagle
Gulch for breakfast
And. oh. the food did taste So delicious
for our ride in the fresh air had given us
all good apuetites for hot steak and cOiiee
After breakfast $50 went On our way
meeting aud passing several bands OF dig
gers cu route tor the bum The squawa
usually had large baskets. inverted cone
shape fastened across their tOreheads by
straps. nthese. with round heads sticking
out, were little brown pappooses Olhor
squaws were riding rough little jacks that
bore patiently the combined load OF house
hold goods and children of various sizes
These native children OF tho golden west
we're barefoOted. and those that walked
left footprints on the dusty road, and
shapely feet. II they were flat. with never
a trace Of a corn or a disfguring bnnion
which mar tho feet OF many a belle OF the
east and west
After crossing the middle fork OF
Feather river We made the ascent on the
other side. and as the sun WAS setting we
saw the Moon Town ridge sharply defined
against the clear. blue sky
Another half hours ride. and then we
halted. and the men pegged our tents |
and made FIRE. for tho air was chilly
The cook was soon preparing our sup |
per Tho men. thinning their work, |
walked downed 10 the river TO fish IL |
the interval we walked up the trail to the |
Peak. 10 see if wc could catch q glimpse |
Of tho "Campodic about half mile |
away After walking = quarter Of mile
we saw the smoke of. the camp fires, and
as our supper horn resounied through the
hills wc returned
After supper tho men thought, as We
were to remain up all night without
sleep a nap before the moon arose would
be advisable SO we wrapped ourselves
up like the Arabs. and stole away silently,
one by ono. TO the Land OF Nod, the men
returning 10 the river to WOO the SPECIFIED
beauties from tho river bed
So silence fell on our tents. broken oc
casioually by quails whistle or an owl
hooting mournfully We dozed OFF, for
we were tired after our long ride, and
were loath 10 awaken when Mr., Agnew !
and the rest returned 10 arouse US to get |
ready for our walk to the Indian camps
A light breeze was swaying the tall
trees, and Il few light clouds were obscUr.
ing the rays Of the rising moon Still il
was light enough to see the Uaii
We girls we're walking ahead with |
Clara aud tho men walking behind the |
scent of their cigars mingling with pny |
odors We were taking Il short cut over |
the ridge, and our way Was INSTRUCTED 10y !
brush. but We brayely pushed on. We
had been discussing, in low tones. ono OF
the men OF our party. Bart Birmingham,
lively young fellow Clara sand teas
ingly
Belle he would DO good match for
you, he has lots OF money
She had hardly spoken the words when |
wo were startled by the young man re