290 SPOETING ADVENTURES 



a level, park-like country as far as Sacramento, 

 from whence it rises gradually to Colfax, where 

 the train stops for the passengers to dine. The 

 fare at these places is excellent, and enough to 

 satisfy the most fastidious, except in the matter 

 of wine, but with good coffee, tea, or milk, one 

 is better without it. The charge for a good 

 " square " meal is from half a dollar to a dollar, 

 according to the distance from a terminus. 



We reached Cape Horn in time to see 

 this magnificent pass before dark, and arrived 

 at what is called the " Summit," or the highest 

 point of the Sierra Nevada, crossed by the 

 railway, the same night that we left San 

 Francisco. This point is 7000 feet above the 

 sea, but the mountains tower another 3000 feet 

 higher still. The view of Donner Lake, with 

 the full moon shining on it, was one of the most 

 beautiful sights I ever saw, and one could 

 hardly realize the terrible tragedy which oc- 

 curred near this peaceful spot, and from whence 

 the lake takes its name. The facts, as related to 

 me by the conductor of the train, are as follows : 



