Year: 1859

ed by the village sharpers.


Not satisfied with seeing the sights,
made new acquaintances, and finally I fell
into the hands of professional black-leg,
who easily won my horse and saddle.


Bankrupt both in pocket and spirits, I
travelled home on foot. This adventure
made me resolve never to touch another
card, and for five years kept my prom
| ise.


THE Mexican war broke out, and en-
listed in company of volunteers, and
was actively engaged during the war
Fighting and gaming, you know, go hand
and hand, therefore my old habits return
ed to me.


when peace was declared and our COM
pany was disbanded, I visited my friends
in Missouri, and then, in company with
some emigrants, started overland to
California.


The skill I here exhibited as dealer
in the Mexican game of monte, caused by
services to be engaged in the famous Ell
or rather gold dust, was plenty, and as
gambling was fashionable, never lacked
for customers.


i had thus been employed about six
months, when one night 1 was drawn into
an encounter with desperado, ard in
self-defence was obliged to inaict on
him severe wound with my bowie knife.
This fellow was member of party of
cut-throats who lived about the gambling
establishments of the city, and of whom
the gamblers were in great dread.


1T now became necessary for me to
make my escape to distant part Of the
country. 1 advised with my friends, and
they counselled me to 60 to the mines.


The knowledge had gained of the
world by At first being woodsmau, then
soldier, and finally the boon companion
of different individuals who styled them
selves gentlemen, made me accomplished
in almost any character choose to un-
dertake.


: To win the confidence of the miners OF
the locality to which l was bound, 1 first
haG to exchange my flash clothing for
. those of a person in a humber sphere OF
life. Fortunately fell in with Nor
mon who was kind enough to make the
desired exchange. On my back his gar
ments acted just like nettles, and during
the time that wore them, was never a,
ease, but continually haDkered after more
rascality.


Before quitting my old haunts in the
f city had taken the precaution to inform


myself of the most likely plan to make &
raise of some money. A friend gave me


directions by which l could find the cabir


of man who was well known to the sur


rounding country from the fabulous


amount of gold dust he was supposed te


be possessed Of Several gamblers ha(


previously endeavored to fleece this mai


but he had proved too wide awake TO


them.


Nothing daunted by this state of af
= fairs, l commenced my journey, and afte
e several days fatiguing travel on foot (fo
e which the luxuries of city life had entirel


untitled me- l hove in sight of the HON
: of my intended victim.


Q The external appearance of this hous
e did not speak much in favor of the wealt
t of its owner, nor was indeed the countr
i about it very inviting; but cheered my
o self with thoughts that these were thing


of minor Importance to me. My bushes
n was with the treasure which was hoarde
i up there. The snail pace was travelin
2 at brought me in due time to the door {
It this hamlet, and as it was all closed uI


I gave loud rap. A gruff voice an
l. swered, .


e "Come in
l. i lifted the latch and pushed the ricl
t, city door back sufficient to allow me t
r enter, and on doing so found myself fac
> to face with the man was looking fo
y I knew him at once from the descriptio


my friend had given me of him.
Is Taking off my hat, made an awkwar
N bow, and thus introduced myself: i ha,
N just arrived in these diggings. and hay


been directed to your house as the mo-
le likely one to obtain nights lodging =
IS They tell me your name is Mr.. Dacey, an
a that GU are the right sort of man, bl
s that is neither here nor there, for T.
to nearly gone out, and I wish to cam
s. here.'
IS, "Stranger.' demanded Dacey, 'whe
< do you hail from, and what is your bus
lg ness?'


4 replied, 4 came to dig gold, but
f. need little rest first, for I have made
g. long tramp oft. You see, two montl
Sc ago left Salt Lake, where the Mormon
Is cleaned me out 1t is a long story, b,
es to be honest I'm an emigrant from tt
ds State Of Missouri. I have no money, b
y if I can pay you for a few days board


any light work, all you have to do is
e. say the word.'
ne "Well, Mr.. Emigrant if you are su
n you are not yourself Mormon, and wi


swear to it, I'll let you put up with m
ne but mind, if you deceive me, I'll kill "
n just as sartin as my name is Bill Dace
u for Pm particularly down on the Morm'


tribe.'