The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-07-02

times was obliged to travel far into the
Sierra Nevadas, taking with me several
thousand dollars upon each trip. To
carry this sum / used Il pair of saddle
holsters with u receptacle for the money
and place for u pair of pistols. The
latter were necessary; for much of my
way lay amid the wild ndrugged mount
aims far from the main highways When
| halted at the wayside hotels | was
obliged to carry the money to the table
with me and keep it in my room at night,
for few of the stopping places had any
secure safes or vaults. Paper money was
not generally accepted by the owners of
wool, so the greater part of the money
was in gold. Two attempts had been
made to rob me, and had become wary
and suspicious; yet the profits we made
were SO good that was unwilling to
give up the trips.
One day we received telegram that
read: Secure all the wool you can. It
is sure to advance in price"
THAT means hard trip for me-"
said, CHANGING at the yellow slip, but
the sooner am off the more wool can
get
The telegram reached us at ) in the
afternoon 1t 0 the next morning | was
Oh the read and had nearly $4,000 in
gold GOA.
For inc first three days | gradually
ascea1el the moEntains, and by midday
Of the foor'h had reached the summit.
This did not mean rapid descent upon
the opposite slope, but Il journey for sew
eral days over the ridges rising from this
central plateau. Some of these were
densely wooded with pine, spruce and
fir, while others were more open and
contained fine pastures for flocks and
herds.
| was DESTROYS of reaching one man,
who kept his sheep during the summer
upon a high and rugged range some
miles from my usual route. | halted
for dinner at a small public house lately
built to accommodate teamsters engaged
in hauling lumber from new sawmill.
The surroundings were not inviting, but
! was accustomed to the poorest accom-
modations while upon these mountain
trips. While half breed Indian was
caring for my horse l inquired OF the
landlord if he could direct me to Buck
er's sheep camp,
yes was the reply, but it's hard
place to find," at the same time giving
me the directions as nearly as possible.
| shook my head as he ended, saying:
81 could never find the place in Il years
time. Is there no one here acquainted
with the route who can go with me-"
He hesitated a moment, and then
said: There's Bill, the half breed; he
knows the trail as well as old Rucker
himself. reckon you can get Bill to go. "
Bill was promptly interviewed. you
pay me 81, and take my horse and go, ;"
was the brief but satisfactory reply.
The required sum was promised, and
he at once prepared to accompany me.
The moment dinner was eaten we set
off. Instead Of being sullen and morose,
like most half breeds, my guide was a
talkative and intelligent fellow, and
gave me much information about the
surrounding region.
Upon reaching Fuckers camp we
found the owner absent, and it took us
an hour or more to find him and the
band of sheep he was herding. He de-
tanned us longer to tell about the bears
and panthers that annoyed his sheep
than the time consumed in bargaining
for his wool and making the necessary
arrangements for shipping it to us.
When we got back to the public house
it was too late to go further that night,
unless | Travelled after dark, and to this
l objected on account of the gold.
The landlord said he could give me a
straw bed, adding, ''You see, the place
is new, and we have nothing better for
ourselves"
| was willing to take the bed, and SO
turned my horse over to the half breed
to take care of for the night.
Just before supper two more travellers
rode up and desired to stop.
Rooms are pretty scarce, as you can
see, but we can feed you as well as not, y
said the host.
The men, like myself, were not par
ticular as to beds. SO remained for the
night They We're rather laxative, and
T overheard them ask the landlord nv