218 LIFE IN THE FAE WEST 



of grass and water, save at a few points, the regular 

 halting-places of the caravans ; and as but little pasture 

 is to be found at these places at any time, there was 

 great reason to fear, if the Santa Fe traders had 

 passed this season, that there would not be sufficient 

 grass to support the numerous cavallada, after the her- 

 bage had been laid under contribution by the traders' 

 animals. However, a great saving of time would be 

 effected by taking this trail, although it wound a con- 

 siderable distance out of the way to avoid the impas- 

 sible chain of the Sierra Nevada the gap in those 

 mountains through which the Americans had come 

 being far to the northward, and at this late season 

 probably obstructed by the snow. 



Urged by threats and bribes, one of the Indians 

 agreed to guide the cavallada to the trail, which he 

 declared was not more than five days distant. As they 

 advanced, the country became wilder and more sterile, 

 the valleys through which several small streams 

 coursed, alone being capable of supporting so large a 

 number of animals. No time 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 Calif ornian guide now 



