Year: 1859

Rlsing refreshed with the next day and
travelling two miles we came to fine val
ley about two miles in length and enclosed
Wilson, who had just commenced moving.
The grass was not very heavy, but the mea-
dow being extensive must yield a large crop
Ar. Wilson and his family remain there three
or four months-just long enough to har-
( vest and dispose of his hay. 1t not being
safe TO remain in the mountains after the
first Of November, the family pass the win
ter at Dutch Flat.


! We left the road at this place, to pursue a
trail for the remainder of the journey; and
such trail of APPS and downs it had never
been my fortune to experience beforc-over
hills of nothing but rock and through passes
filled up with fallen timber. Dr. Blanks,
taking few head of stock, went on in ad-
vance, the Others following more readily un-
til, coming to rocky hill they refused to
ascend. But by dint of persuasior-that
is, dog and whip-we overcame their re-
pugnance. During the day we crossed the
fuba three times. 1t is beautiful stream
up here, clear, cold and rapid. At the last
crossing we came to some fine grass, but
were detained some time by the dense un-
dergrowth, the cattle refusing to cross
through it. We succeeded just at night in
getting them over, and were rewarded by
finding splendid valley of grass under the
cleft of the mountain. We chose mass of
rocks for our camp in preference to the damp
ground. have slept on softer beds but do
not know that | ever slept sounder than
through that night. We found next morn
ing that heavy dew had fallen, and that
our cattle had eaten to repletion.


The journey was resumed with renewed
vigor, the Doctor informing US that we
should reach our destination some time du-
ring that day. We soon came to Il high
mountain and thought the ascent of it would
prove very difficult, but think the stock
must have been aware Of their proximity to
place of rest and good feed, for they pushed
eagerly up, giving us little trouble. On
reaching the summit we encountered sue
cesSion OF lovely lakes, which are tapped by
a tunnel through the mountain to afford wa
ter to the miners below These lakes arc
chiefly supplied by the melting SHOWS of the
summit, and the abundance Of water they
yield is an acquisition of immense value to
the mineral region, as well as a source of
| great revenue to the proprietors After
| leaving them our course became less diff
cult, following once more the crest of the
ridge The country was almost destitute of
vegetation, except where there was standing
water, and the pines in sight looked ex
tremely dwarfish.


Our route continued thus until nine
O'Clock, when the country changed again
and grass became abundant. Arriving at a
slope in the mouatains my eyes were re-
| galed With one of the loveliest scenes I had
ever witnessed


was transhxed; could not realize that
such beautiful spot could be hid amid these
barren mountains. There, sure enough, was
the sought for ralley-there it spread before
us like vast picture, some four miles in
length by mile in width, with clear
stream of water passing through its centre.
| was soon recalled to my business. The
cattle were pushing their way down the ra-
vine, eager to enjoy the rich feast in store
for them. We soon followed, and found on
reaching the valley that it had not lessened
any in its beauty The grass was some six or
eight inches tall over the entire bottom. We
stood gazing as long as we could find new
features to extefy until we bethougbt us of
our horses, taking which we moved to the
camp which was on knoll overlooking the
whole valley. There small cabin had been
| built by some men sent out to fence in the
valley. We unsaddied our horses, turning
them out for days rest, for which, no
| doubt, they were grateful The next day
being Sunday we remained over, and would
have prolonged our stay had we had An am
pie supply of provisions. The propretors
intend to build good house next season,
and move up their families They were
most fortunate in securing so advantageous
a spot


/ s.M.E.
1