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Show 272 PERSONAL ADVENTURES CI-IAPTER XIV. A faint heart-Second thoughts-:Mission of San JoseEffects of Mexican apathy-" Ugly customers"-The road again-A comfortless prospect-Meeting with GoYernor Mason-Indian villages-An extinguisher upon sentiment -Arrival at Livermore's farm-Effects of a bad reputation -Road-side adventure-The San Joachin Valley-Junc-tion with a Monterey convoy. The road now branched off into two different directions, the one leading to San Francisco, and the other to the rnines. vV e turned our backs upon the former; 'vhen, after proceeding sorne little distance, my companion, who had been riding for some time in silence, affected no doubt by a sense of isolation and the difficulties that presented themselves to his imagination, suddenly obRerved to Ine- " I don't like the appearance of the road; the country around seems to be getting more IN CALIFORNIA. 273 barren and gloomy at every step. When I consider how poorly we are provided for win· tering in the mountains, and the long journey that we have yet hefore us, I am inclined to think that we had better give up all idea of gold digging, and start at once for San Fran- . " CISCO. " To become the laughingstock of such of our old comrades as might chance to be thrown in our way. No, no, Halliday ; we must not be so easily diverted from our purpose. It is a point of honour with me to proceed, until sornething really does occur, to justify me to 1ny own conscience for abandoning it. Besides, I want to show those youths we have left behind that we can get along without them. Cheer up, and reflect better on it.. It is obviously the more prudent course for us to proceed to the n1ines. San Francisco must be at present completely deserteJ ; but even were it otherwise, I should like to ' know what employment we could possibly find there? On the other hand, I have little doubt that we shall not be many days at the mines N5 |