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Show tN CALII~ORNIA. 281 that no hun1an being could have stood upon them for five minutes without becoming giddy. But these anirnals, owing to a frequent scarcity of food in the valleys, are habituated to seek it on these dizzy eminences, which contain some spots of rich pasturage. Our encampn1ent this evening was colJ and cheerless, the wind blowing a perfect hurricane. Sweeping along the road for some distance, it became obstructed by the hills in front of us, and, 'vinding round the valley, spent itself on our devoted heads. Having vainly sought about for wood, we were compelled to rnake the best fire we could, of dried manure. We then poundt~d our coffee, and a good warm cup of this refreshing beverage re~tored us to sorne little sense of comfort. We had just finished arranging our blankets B.nd Inuskets, on a gentle descent near our fire, when we observed a stnall party moving along the road. It was con1posed of three persons, two riding in advance, and the third driving a mule and small cart, of Yankee construction. |
