Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-02

that bought small automatic pistol which
in future carried loaded on the ledge in the
dashboard of the car.
We got through to Arizona without any fur
ther real trouble, and in doing so ran from
cold and snow into a most perfect climate in
spite of the month being December.
reflected pleasantly on the change as sat
on the balcony of my hotel at Needles writing
up my diary. 1t was wonderful night, warm
enough to sit out in pajamas and coolie coa;.
Down the main street rows of pepper trees.
great palms. and fiamboyant f1ower-covered
shrubs bore witness to the subtropical climate,
and handsome Indians strollng about gave the
place fascinating atmosphere all its own
Hitherto / had been disappointed with the
American Indians I had SEEM but these were
charming--tall and slim, with regular features
and beautiful white teeth. There were about
600 of them in the little city, and they proved
very friendly In fact they could not have
been more interested in my trip If had been
an Indian woman doing round-the-world trip
in an Indian car
WE were now on the edge of the famous
Mojave Desert. and set of early one morn
ing carrying four gallons of water, fruit tin
Of biscuits, and the invaluable thermos flask.
likewise full of water. For the first few miles
the road was quite ordinary. Then came the
desert-limirless stretches Of sand and rocks, a
few coyotes, weird bird or two, and over all
the glorious Californian sunshine and the
cloudleSS blue sky.
After 80 miles or so we reached Amboy a
small Indian settlement, where an old Red Man
told me that all their water had to be hauled
from Newbury Springs, 81 miles away, and cost
35 cents barrett Recently. he said, no rain
had fallen for over a year, and temperature
of 40 degrees and over was not uncommon. I
was fascinated with the DESERT but it evidently
possesses drawbacks for those who live in It'll
The sand made steering difficult, and more
than once when we stuck in the drifts / blessed
our cars lightness which enabled us to get OUT
again without undue exertion.
California is certainly lovely country It's
sunshine is SOFT golden, invigorating; its seem
cry marvellous and, in addition, it has an at
moSphere of adventure, optimism and modernity
that is all its own. There are orange painted
inns set down in the most isolated spots of des-
ert country, with Signboards bearing such
CHEEKY legends as Come right In and let's get
acquainted" or "Oh boyl Hot dog--let's stop!"
and on.
The road to Los Angeles was lined with
orange groves. Here and there the golden fruit
had fallen from the trees into the road, but
Miss Eley informed me that it is a penal offense
to pick up an orange and eat It'll Nevertheless
I ran the gauntlet of the law, for forbidden
fruit is always sweetest, and no lurking cop"
sprang from the shelter Of the trees to hale me
ANONYMOUSLY to Jail.
Los Angeles held a disappointment in store
for me- for here was destined to lose my COM
panion. She had been Frustrated with seasick-
ness during the voyage and had been very seedy
ever since. She was obviously none too strong,
and the prospect of her falling i'll later on,
when we might be far from help, worried me
considerably.
certainly missed my companion, and yet