194 Audubon's Western Journal 



other topics of conversation were on our lips. It 

 seemed impossible for me to shake oH my depres- 

 sion. 



December 26th. I was not made more cheerful 

 by finding that our agents had so conducted our 

 afifairs that instead of finding all our provisions 

 and implements nicely stored, and in good order, 

 waiting for us, I discovered that all that was most 

 useful to us had been sold, and the balance lay 

 about in the wet and mud, or was rotting, half dry 

 for want of the requisite cover. The expenses had 

 eaten up the money procured by the sales, or so 

 we were told, and I found myself with forty men 

 to take care of and in debt. I was on the point of 

 breaking up the company, and letting every man 

 shift for himself, but felt that it was neither brave 

 nor honorable, so decided to make one more effort. 

 I drew on my brother for one thousand dollars, 

 borrowed all I could from the boys who had 

 brought their own mules on with them, and 

 concluded to take all who were not mechanics with 

 me to the mines ; the mechanics had, without excep- 

 tion, found work instantly at exorbitant prices. 

 They were to keep half they made, and pay in the 

 other half to the company. I have been offered 

 thirty-five dollars a day to draw plans for houses, 

 stores, etc., but though I never intended to go to 

 the mines myself, I feel now for the sake of the 

 men who stood by me, that I must stay by them. 



