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Show 296 PERSONAL ADVENTURES ernergency, and 've considered it a fortunate circu1nstance that we had overtaken them. We enjoyed the advantages of companionship and protection, heightened by the interchange of those trifling acts of courtesy and kindness which render intercourse with our fellowbeings pleasing, and 'vhich, though even trivial in themselves, are appreciated tenfold in such a position as we all stood in, with regard to each other, our projects, our chances, and our d iffi cui ties. The next day we reached the banks of the San J oachin river, into which those tributary streams discharge thetnselves, that divide the various " diggins" or portions of the country where gold is found in the greatest abundance. On our right and left we beheld stretching ont as .far as we could see plains covered with the richest and tallest grass ; and it appeared to n1e, at the tirne, that this locality, being about the most fertile in California, 'vas the best adapted for settlement; but I have since been informed, that fever and ague prevail IN CALIFORNIA. ~97 everywhere along the banks of the river to such an extent as to render any attempt to settle here tantamount to deliberate and determined suicide. I could not contemplate without interest the passage across the stream which so many thousands had already hazarded in their eager pursuit after gold. It was denoted by a srnall house constructed of toolies or bulruslles, which stood within a few yards of the water, and was just large enough to serve for the residence of the two Yankees who had established then1sel ves here on speculation. Tllere was only one boat on the river, and that one too s1nall to transport more than five men in safety across tv the opposite bank, and quite insufficient for us. If we could have succeeded in coming to terms with the ferryman, we should not perhaps have thought of any other means of traversing the stream, but contrived to accom1nodate ourselves to the circumstances. The charge, however, for th passage of each person, was one Jollar; too hi gh for our scanty n1ean~. Don Emanuel 0 5 |