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Show 34 A TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS, world for ages. It is as pure and light as the co~mercinl article. There are also near the source of the riversome very peculia1· crystalized rocks, soma of thern, tW() four sided pyramids applied base to base. About two days, after we were robbed by the Indian~ ; the Canton mes~ consisting of seven or eight persons were killed at the same place. They had been t1·avclling with us until about the time we struck H unlboldt River, .but their team giving out they were compelled to drive more slowly. They encamped on the river (Pitt.) and during the evening were attacked. One was killed. Next morning they were visited by a few, who by signs informed them, that in ordet to secure themselves from another attack, they should at once leave their encampment and move for· ward. 'fhis they declined doing, as they were determined to bu t·y their friend, and wait for tho Messrs. Childs and IVIille•·, who were a short distance behind. In a short time they wore attacked by a Jarger n mber, who took ftom them every thing they had, leaving them entirely nuked. They were then ordered to swim the stream, but before reaching the_opposite shore were, with a single exception, killed by a showe1· of an·ows. At this moment the report of a gun in the vicinity, caused them to retreat precipitately, leaving George Stuck of Canton, in the stream, among the hughes lining its hanks. badly wounded. Miller and the Childs' coming up in a few moments, rescued him from his perilous situation, gave him clothing. and brought hitn to Lawson's. The gun of which we have .... spoken had been fired at a dove, by one of the Childs.Stuck remained near Lawson's for a short time, but being supplied with funds he started for home. . While in Sao Francisco he was attaclied by diarrhcea or dysentery and died. These Indiao tribes have been wan·i·ng with the whites, especially the Oregonians, for a number of years, each ptu·ty destroying one or more oft!le othet·, when ever nn opportunity presents it self. Th;s accounts for the~e attacks. These tribes are g1·eat cowards and never m-ake an attack, unless the odds are greatly in their favo1·. We had t~rown away our arm.s and were therefore unprepared to 1·esu~t the most feehl~ attack. These Indians were severe) y chastised by several compa.nie~ from Califo.rnia settlements, during the last summer .. AND LIFE IN CALIFORNIA. CHAPTER I. ~ttlaa 8bor& aaala- A party of •'Prospeeters"-P~atbel' Rinr meadows-:J)eer Creek-Lawson's. After purchasing ou1· provisions, and making inquiries In reference to the road, we again set forwarrl, and after trrvelling sixteen miles encamped on Pitt River in company with the Oregonians. Some were already complaining of being sick; but when it i~ remembered that we had been living on almost nothing for some ti{ne, it is readily t~upposed that entirely too much was eaten when the opportunity presented itself, and derangement of the digestive or· gans, might as a mattet· of course, be expected to resJJlt. Friday June 28th. Left encanJpmont, and at once entered on a. piece of marshy groucd of ten miles in breadth. J)epth of mud from one to. three feet. Encamped twelve 1niles fat·ther,-wood, water and gl·ass, plenty. Next two days t!·avelled about forty miles and encamped near a small Jake, in company with a party of "prospecters'' n term applied to those, in search of "diggins." Ou1• supply of provisions growing "short" we were again on rati?ns. We were pt·esented with some fresh venison. by the miners. They informed us that the mining districts generally were crowded, that provisions had become much cheaper, and people in general not growing rich very fast Next day we tra veiled about twenty-eight miles and en .. camped near uFeather Rtver l\1eadows. '' Next morning left encampment vel·y early and arrived at the ford about sun 1·ise, dist.ant thre.e miles. 'l'he river runs through the valley ?ere, 1n two dtfferent branches. Early in sumtf1er, the entire .valley one and a half miles in width, is entirely covered wtth water. The branches wea·e about four feet deep. the 1·emainder of the valley varied from one to three feet of mud and water. Cold, wet, and hungry we stopped on the opposite bluff, to prepare and eat our sc~nty break- - fast. The following scene will give the 1·eader an idea of our financiering in cookery. A. Clark, M. Hoover, and ourself were cooking for ourBel ves ~n.d eleven o~hers belonging to the mess. Our stock of prov1s1ons, cons1st?d of a lot of n1usty tea, a fe\v pounds Qf flour .and a few drted elde1· berries. Hoover made the ten, wh1le Clark and I made the soup and dumplings,-the |
