194 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



secures the load in its place, but protects the shoulders 

 of the bearer from the continual friction they would 

 otherwise undergo. 



" A large party had preceded me ; but I felt no 

 anxiety to overtake it, as there was little or no danger 

 of my encountering violence on the route. I was 

 armed with a good revolving pistol, in the event of 

 any thing of the sort presenting itself; so that, all 

 things considered, I was just as well pleased to be 

 left to my own society. 



" I proceeded on my route with my sable attendant, 

 and found the commencement pleasant enough travel 

 ling, the road for some distance being paved with 

 large and regularly cut stone. This, however, soon 

 terminated in abundance of sand ; the route still con 

 tinuing dry, and comparatively easy to what I had 

 expected to find it. Soon after we had quitted the 

 paved road, the negro stopped and asked my permis 

 sion to take a few things to his family, who lived in a 

 small hut to our left. Apprehensive that he was 

 meditating an escape with my luggage, I replied that 

 I had no objection, provided he would leave his 

 basket in my care. He accordingly took the frame 

 off his back, and, separating a small bundle contain 

 ing provisions from my baggage, he took his departure. 

 I took care, however, to keep him in sight and saw 

 him enter a wretched-looking bamboo-hut at a little 

 distance from the route. He remained absent a con 

 siderable time ; and, having paid him half his wages 

 in advance, according to the usual custom with these 

 people, who are exceedingly distrustful, I began to 

 fear that he was about to desert me, and therefore 

 called out lustily, until at last I saw him reluctantly 

 emerge from the hut, and make his way towards ine. 



