STRANGE LOT OF INMATES. 209 



fortnight's rain without shelter, asks, as a 

 matter of course, hospitality for the time the 

 rain lasts, and also till the rivers are passable. 

 As food is generally very scarce to those sort 

 of persons, they generally make some inquiry 

 respecting what rancho is most likely to 

 afford them something to eat, and for that 

 reason I have been frequently honoured for a 

 fortnight and more with a most strange lot of 

 inmates; they generally bring with them 

 food for a day or two, and then they request 

 for food, if they are half-caste ; but if they are 

 Indians, will sit and starve unless they are 

 invited to eat. Often and often I have been 

 obliged to go out with my rifle for half a day 

 in the heavy rain to seek a deer or two and 

 some wild turkeys, to supply the wants of my 

 hungry visitors. Hunting in this weather is 

 very unhealthy, but it is almost always sure 

 to be attended with success, and also by ague 

 or fever. Success seldom fails in such weather, 

 as the deer, and indeed all game, are constantly 

 on the move, which the Indians attribute to 

 the pattering of the rain on the leaves, which, 

 preventing game from being aware of the 

 approach of wild beasts, makes them un- 

 easy, restless, and constantly changing their 

 position : the heavy rain also destroys 



