OCR Text |
Show 214 PERSONAL ADVENTURES the periods of such division to be determined by the general consent of the company; and the second, that no spirituous liquors should be made use of by any of them, and that any member of the party found in a state of intoxication should be forthwith expelled. In this particular instance, the rule relating to inebriety proved null in its effect for ' ' within three days after it had been subscribed to, four of the number were seen rolling in a state of intoxication about the town· with ' regard to the previous one, I can say nothing. I know that the party contrived to keep together till they reached the mines but there ' ' I subsequently ascertained, they quarrelled, separated, and ·were soon scattered. Whilst our men were preparing for their departure, tnaking purchas~s, packing provisions, and equipping themselves and their horses, the discovery of the hody of one of our number cast a deep gloom over our spirits. He was found at the bottom of a well, with a deep cut over his head, evidently inflicted by a sharp instrument. An accordion on which ' IN CALIFORNIA. 215 be was in the habit of playing, was also found in the well, on the top of his body, as if it had been cast in after it. We never ascertained the real cause of this murder, bnt strongly suspected it to have been either the result of an old grudge, or of a jealous paroxysm on the part of some of the Spaniards, 'vith whom he had always been at variance, .and involved in serious broils. I was much attached to him, and sincerely lan1ented his sad end. In the midst of all this excitement, I myself felt undecided whether to travel towards the mines, or in an opposite direction. My predilections were strongly turned to South America, the climate being more suited to my sickly state of health ; but being disappointed of a companion, I determined, after many days) delay, to set off for the mines. But by this time nearly all the parties had been formed, and I found myself almost alone, in a deserted town, where there were no means of living, no business, and frorn which, if I remained much longer, there would be no chance of escape. |