A FAMOUS COACH ROAD 117 



vessels of abalone shells, and ornaments of mother- 

 of-pearl — in fact, many articles of the chase, and of 

 the domestic economy of the cave-dwellers. 



The cavern, despite the size of the superincumbent 

 rock, was very small, capable of affording shelter to 

 perhaps ten. How ancient the habitation is cannot 

 be told; but it is one of scores of town sites, mounds, 

 kitchen-middens that mark these islands. They are 

 of profound interest to the ethnologist. 



Not far from here a trail can be taken which leads 

 to the coast, where stands a ledge of steatite, used by 

 an ancient mortar manufactory, the vessels being cut 

 out by the natives in the old days. The scars can be 

 seen on the surface where they were knocked off; and 

 the tools of the workers were excavated in the near 

 vicinity. This manufactory was in use within the 

 last two hundred years; and from early Spanish his- 

 tory accounts are taken showing that the mortars 

 were sent to the mainland by the canoe-load, and the 

 Southern California Indians were supplied with cook- 

 ing vessels from this island quarry. 



Leaving the Stone Age cavern, the coach continues 

 down a well-wooded cafion, crossing several ridges; 

 then begins another dizzy climb to the sum^mit of the 

 range, separating the south from the north island, 

 where a splendid spectacle of blue water, lofty cliffs, 

 great bays, and rugged precipices is seen. The road has 

 been so cleverly made that it gives the traveller a 

 new coign of vantage at every turn; now reaching out 

 into projecting mesas, crossing old Indian graveyards 

 or camp sites; again dipping into canons, to climb 

 once more to lofty heights. Five miles from Eagle 

 Nest we come to Little Harbor where two perfect 



