OUR DRIVE INTO YALE. 383 



First one spring broke, and then another, and we 

 bumped about on the axles. Next the splinter-bar gave 

 v^ay, and had to be tied up with a piece of rope. All 

 these would have been trifling accidents had the road 

 been of a different character, but when, to crown all, 

 the pole snapped in its socket, and the w^agon ran into 

 the horses, we had good cause to be thankful that this 

 had happened in the middle of a flat, just after 

 crossing the suspension bridge. Had it occurred a 

 few minutes sooner, we should doubtless have been 

 precipitated headlong into the Roaring Canons. The 

 pole was past mending, so the driver took the horses 

 out and led them back to a house about half a mile 

 distant, the rest of us remaining behind to guard the 

 treasure by the light of a large bonfire, for it was 

 already quite dark. In about an hour the driver re- 

 appeared, accompanied by a friend, bringing a large 

 covered wagon, drawn by two fine Californian horses. 

 The fresh horses were put in as leaders, and we soon 

 started with our four-in-hand, rattling along at a 

 headlong gallop, for we had now two drivers, one 

 who managed the reins, while the other vigorously 

 plied the whip. The express-man had brought a 

 bottle of whisky back with him, and he and his 

 friend devoted themselves assiduously to it in the 

 calmer intervals of their joint occupation. After a 

 time it was discovered that the reins of the leaders 

 were not crossed, and consequently useless for 

 guiding purposes ; but the two Californians led the 

 way admirably, sweeping round every curve with 

 great precision. Much of the road was as dangerous 



