300 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



abode, but which proved to be Watsonville, the home of 

 friend Griinhagen, now Harry Jackson, to whom I paid 

 a flying visit. Again we went on through the beautiful 

 Pajaro Valley, entertained by the songs of countless birds 

 and reptiles, with here and there the roar of a disturbed 

 mountain lion or the danger signal of a fleeing coyote, 

 whose bark resembles that of a wolf. The evening is 

 clear and the parting rays of the setting sun allow us now 

 and then to catch a glimpse of the Pacific ocean near 

 Santa Cruz. Soon the moonlight night with the millions 

 of twinkling stars prepared us a feast such as one can 

 only witness in the "Wild West." To express the de- 

 gree of my rapture, be it said that I forgot all about my 

 aching bones, to pay homage to God and Nature. 



January 3d-15th, 1854. 



My position as head-waiter was of short duration, as 

 Madam Jensen, the ruling spirit of the house, proved 

 a veritable Berlin dragon, with whom no employee can 

 live in peace and one after another leaves her house with- 

 out getting a cent of pay. When at last she made me 

 work from three in the morning till twelve at night I drew 

 the line and quit, after vainly trying to make her refund 

 my traveling expenses, not to speak of the wages due me. 

 Robbed by a woman, a Berlin woman— I shall remember 

 this experience. 



After visiting Griinhagen on my return trip, I decided 

 to take the water-route for the sake of saving expense, 

 as my funds have dwindled down to almost nothing. 



January 31st, 1854. 

 Griinhagen treated me well. As I have an opportunity 

 to get a low rate to San Francisco on the little schooner 

 "Sarah Lavinia," I decided to ship in her. The weather 

 looks threatening and even the Captain seems to doubt 

 whether everything will go smoothly. It happens that 

 the ferry-boat on which he embarks cannot take me along 

 but after the Captain is safely on board, it returns after 

 me. While just about to enter, the boatman points to the 



