CHAPTER VII 



A TOUR OF THE GOLD-FIELDS 



January 2d, 1 8^0. Leaving Stockton we tramped 

 through mud and water, so like the coast of 

 Louisiana (the Mississippi) that it might have 

 been winter there, instead of in California. We 

 had packed the day before leaving, so left early 

 for our walk of twenty miles after our pack-mules, 

 and went over a partially sandy prairie to the 

 Stanislaus River, and at eight that night reached 

 good wood and water, and encamped about three 

 miles from the river. Next morning, January 3d, 

 we left in the rain for the ferry, but owing to the 

 bad weather, heavy roads and exhaustion of Bach- 

 man and McGown, stopped at a good camping 

 ground, with excellent grass, after going only three 

 miles. The rain poured all day and all night, and 

 we lost two days here in consequence, for the river 

 rose so rapidly that we could not cross our mules. 

 The next day the most of us did get over, and 

 Clement and Hudson remained behind to look 

 after the mules. 



January 6th. Leaving the middle ferry, known 

 as Islip's, our first day was over a good road with 

 occasional quicksands in the way. The next day, 



