IN THE OLD WEST 269 



was lost in hunting for game; the poorest of the 

 mules and horses were killed for provisions, and 

 the diet was improved by a little venison when a 

 deer casually presented itself near the camping- 

 ground. Of Indians they had seen not one; but 

 they now approached the country of the Diggers, 

 who infest the district through which the Spanish 

 trail passes, laying contributions on the caravans 

 of traders, and who have been, not inaptly, termed 

 the " Arabs of the American desert." The Cali- 

 fornian guide now earnestly entreated permission 

 to retrace his steps, saying that he should lose his 

 life if he attempted to pass the Digger country 

 alone on his return. He pointed to a snow-cov- 

 ered peak, at the foot of which the trail passed; 

 and leave being accorded, he turned his horse's 

 head towards the Mission of San Fernando. 



Although the cavallada traveled, by this time, 

 with much less confusion than at first, still, from 

 the want of a track to follow, great trouble and 

 exertion were required to keep the proper direc- 

 tion. The bell-mare led the van carrying Walker, 

 who was better acquainted with the country than 

 the others ; another hunter of considerable distinc- 

 tion in the band, on a large mule, rode by his side. 

 Then followed the cavallada, jumping and frisk- 

 ing with each other, stopping whenever a blade of 

 grass showed, and constantly endeavoring to 

 break away to green patches which sometimes pre- 

 sented themselves in the plains. Behind the troop, 



