The San Francisco call., 1909-01-31

directing its course toward another
a broader and larger sheet. We knew
this could be no other than the Sacra-
mento. and the bay Of San Francisco,
but we were yet almost afraid
to believe that we were at last to es-
cape into the genial country of which
we aad heard so many. glowing de-
scriptions and dreaded again to find
some vast interior lake. whose bitter
waters would bring US disappointment.
We had the satisfaction to
know that at least there We're people
below. Fires were lit up in the valley
just at nightfall appearing to be in
answer to ours; and these signs oS
life revived in some measure the gayety
of the camp. They appeared so near
that we judged them to be among the
timber of some of the neighboring
ridges; but having them constantly in
view day after day and night after
fires that had been kindled by the In
dians among the tules. on the shore
of the bay, SO miles distant.
I'VE continued to enjoy the same
delightful weather; the sky of the
same beautiful blue, and such a sun
set and sunrise as on our Atlantic
coast we could scarcely imagine. And
above the sea. we have the deep blue
sky and the sunny climate OF Italy
and Palermo. which little map before
me shows. are in the same latitude"
Fremont's introduction to the Amert-
can river was bath in it. On Febru-
ary % he and Kit Carson came out
upon the junction of Strawberry creek
and the American. Here the river is
compressed between great boulders. and
at the narrowest point Carson sprang
over. Fremont sought to follow, but
the parfleche sole of his moccasin
slipped on the icy rock and he fell into
the roaring stream. Carson. with COM
mendable devotion, leaped in to the res
cue. and both finally clambered out
without injury. There is log laid
across the stream now, so such chamois
like feats are happily unnecessary.
And, indeed, 1t says much for the vigor
of the involuntary batheEs that they
survived the plunge. for the stream
goes hurtling over the boulders with
appalling force. plunging from pool to
pool with deafening noise OF its clear.
green waters.
Step by step, as the wayfarers de-
scended. the country grew more friend
ly The green foliage. the mild air
the singing birds. filled them with de-
light. The magnificence of the forests
is Fremont's constant theme. He de-
scribes the manzanita. "a new and singu-
lar shrub" Their hardships are by nc
means over. Pruess, the botanist, is
lost, and endures great sufferings. An
other grows light headed and wanders
away, but is finally rescued. AS they
descend they meet Indians. some speak
ing Spanish, and learn that they are
indeed upon the Rio de Los Americanos
On the 9Th OF March they arrive al
Suffers fort. But we have roamed q
. long way from our mountain valley.
With the increase OF overland travel
: and the growth OF the Carson valley
: trade, the pass Of the American rivel
} became a well .trodden way. The old
: emigrant route From Hope valley strike
the present road nearly opposite Echt
i lake. and is known as the Hawley trail
Strawberry valley forms one OF thos'
} natural gateways IN great mountain
: barrier. by which. until man begins Il
fly through the air instead OF crawl
l ing upon earth, travel and trafic mus
l be controlled. In the 10 years afte
Fremont's time many a weary mule an,
D OK pastured in its green meadows. man.
a a camp fire shone upon the dark from
: of Lovers leap.
9 An item copied from the PIacervilI
: American into the San Francisc,
: Herald OF June 5. 1857. says: 'Oi
:. Wednesday, Goth inst. Mr. A /Haws
r with a pack train OF five mules vel