San Diego to San Francisco 183 



saw them grinding their acorns, and fanning grass 

 and other seeds, so as to prepare their winter's food. 

 They appear to make a sort of pulp of the acorn 

 by grinding it in a most simple mill of stone, using 

 two kinds as convenience or ownership suggests. 

 One, a standing mill, and the other a kind of 

 mortar and pestle style, the mortar being formed 

 by continual use of the same place, until from two 

 to six inches deep, and if the large stone is favor- 

 able, from ten to twelve holes are seen in the same 

 one. 



These Indians were friendly and seemed pleased 

 to see Americans coming into the country, and I 

 have no doubt but that their condition will be 

 greatly ameliorated by the change from savage to 

 half-civilized life. 



We saw one company already installing them- 

 selves in this beautiful valley, where they hope to 

 make permanent homes. 



[No date.'] For two days heavy rolling hills 

 of black soil, clay and gravel with an occasional 

 arroyo of sand, made our journey tedious, but we 

 gradually arrived in better country for travelling, 

 but less grass, and, as we neared the San Joaquin 

 River, immense herds of antelope and elk were 

 seen, so wild that it was difficult to approach 

 them. 



[No date.] This is our second day on the San 

 Joaquin River, and we have secured a fine elk and 



