LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 219 



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-covered 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 travelled, 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 direction. The bell-mare 

 led the van, carrying Walker, who was better acquainted 

 with the country than the others ; another hunter, of 

 considerable distinction in the band, on a large mule, 

 rode by his side. Then followed the cavallada, jumping 

 and frisking with each other, stopping whenever a 

 blade of grass showed, and constantly endeavouring to 

 1 n-cak away to green patches which sometimes presented 

 themselves in the plains. Behind the troop, urging them 

 on by dint of loud cries and objurgations, rode six 

 mountaineers, keeping as much as possible in a line. 

 Two others were on each flank to repress all attempts to 

 wander, and keep the herd in a compact body. In this 

 order the caravan had been crossing a broken country, 

 up and down ridges, all day, the animals giving infinite 

 trouble to their drivers, when a loud shout from the 

 advanced guard put them all upon the gui-vive. Old 

 Walker was seen to brandish the rifle over his head and 

 point before him, and presently the cry of " The trail ! 

 the trail ! " gladdened all hearts with the anticipation 

 of a respite from the harassing labour of mule-driving. 



