The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-28

When within Two hundred feet OF them,
we struck into different current where
the boat was easily managed.
When we reached the shore scrambled
out lively, and sat on rock, whiie tn'
boatman returned for my pard, who ar
rived without disaster.
We now started tor our old camping
|. ground down the river, getting there IN
the afternoon, and soon after silnuowh
Abner arrived having got the provisions
as far as the city.
Had bought "a horse and lumber wagon,
sixty pounds of pork and twice as much
flour. He said something should be done
with our supply in Sacramento. Tor the
rivers were still rising and were now even
up with the levee.
"Now, / think we'd better pack up, and
bring them of, said he Taking his advice
and starting in two days time we ioupd
the gulches and ravines ali flooded
Arriving at the half way house (the blue
tent, the second day out. we tied up Tor
the nighs Paid two dollars per meal,
and one dollar for the privilege OF sleep
inS on the floor ana using our own
blankets.
One Of our party procured the table by
paying dollar and "A half A pan OF beef
bones constituted his pillow and ho was
soon like the rest OF us, I'm tho land OF
Ned. We all slept we'll, our only disturb.
ance being the coyotes who dragged OH
the pillow of the table lodger
In the morning were on our way again,
and arriving at Sacramento, found our
things which were left on the leyee all
right excepting the tea. coffee, and sugar,
which had been washed away by ire
waters which were now up even with the
banks.
Our supply consisted of five hundred
and fifty pounds Of hard bread one barrel
each of beef. pork, flour and moiasses.
Il I..t.. .u..I
cluded to go no farther at present, SO went
back to "A high ridge and camped.
One day, ADner and L went out gun
ming When we returned the ravlnes
(Which were empty but for broken limbs
when we started) were filled with water
knee deep.
That night ALI agreed TO stay on watch,
and read book he had, while we slept,
rs we made up our minds to be Hooded
before morning.
AS he was 20 rouse us If the waters
caIne too near, We were soon sleeping
soundy.
At twelve o'clock he sang out swim
out OF bed, boysl'
sat up in bed-which was hammock
fastened TO stakes TWO feet from The
ground.
Not knowing whether IL was a joke or
not l put my hand out and found water
TO about six inches of me.
All was curled up on table, where we
soon scrambled TO arrange our toilet.
After talking the matter over, we came
TO the decision that something should be
done at once.
The horse was fastened on high ridge;
took hor and reached the levee at three
in the morning, where / waited for the
boys.
AT day light they came with their bed
ding strapped to their backs.
AS l stood watching them slowly
working their passage in my direction, l
thought they'd be Obliged To throw away
their traps and swim; but although at
times they nearly vanished from sight,
they again came up and struggled man
fully until they reached me.
Not long after their arrival we found
man who would for the sum Of twenty
five dollars, take our horse over TO
burying ground. situated on high hill
We then went on board one of the ves-
sells lying along the levee brig Chatham
of Boston. Paid three dollars per day to
a man for board, sleeping on deck and
using our own blankets.
We're obliged to stay there two weeks,
as the whole valley was overllowed..
The water by this time, receding and
our funds running low, we concluded to
build a rough skiff large enough to carry
three, the lumber of which cost fifty dol
lars.
When IL was all ready for launching the
captain brought out u bottle of wine,
broke 1t, giving 1t name, the "Sacra-
mento.
Now said ne, "boys, II you sec any.
thing about here you want, pick it up.
free of charge.
When about mile down stream came
across barrel afloat among the brush
and bushes.
Jerusalem keg of cognac, cried ALI.
Taking our line we fastened 10 around
the keg and slowly towed IL to the shin,
which we reached after u hard pull of
two hours
"Hallo the Sacramento has arrived -
exclaimed the captain. What have you
theroy" he asked.
Pass down your can-hooks and we'll
show you, we answered.
In less than two minutes il was on
board, as the whole number Of $50 passen-
gers were ready to lend hand.
When once head up on Geek "a smile OF
appreciation appeared on every face.
1t was soon tapped and enough drawn
to treat all hands around.
Next day again treated all on board
drew some oil for ourselves, then sold
the remainder for Sl6 Concluded after
consultation 10 get out belongings from
our tent which was now only two-tbirds
full of water, and then take them TO tho
bhi gAhk kipuht NuNlo Jul HoiSc noW
was.
This cemetery was "a sandhili. and the
only place out OF water to be seen. After
hard fight we managed TO get what
was lett of our things into port.
Our barrel of hard bread, which had
been left open, was so much swollen that
the tent was nearly filed with it, The
other things, pork, beef, molasses and
-four were IN "a pretty good condition, the
barrels not having been opened.
We pitched our tent among the graves
which were many and close together
There being now no possible way To get
back To the mines all we can do IL to
wait patiently until the waters shall
have lett the city.
The days glide by without adventure
of any kind we living well on wild geese
and having plenty OF provisions, the
monotony being only broken 10y the
burying of the dead miners. Were
offered $40 per day Co dig graves but re-
fused saying wo aid not come out TO dig
graves.
After two months and half of this
way OF living at last are able to make our
way 90 Auburn and from there TO