80 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



coffee is consumed by the scnoras, and the coffee with 

 something stronger by the senors ; so that, as the 

 night advances, tlie merriment gets, if not ' fast and 

 furious,' at least animated and imposing." 



The dangers which the adventurers are subjected to 

 encounter are often increased by the hostiHty of the 

 Indians. These, however, only molest those who are 

 daring enough to frequent the outskirts of the gold 

 region. There the Indians are treacherous, and will 

 attack small parties, even after smoking the pipe of 

 peace with them. Their principal weapons are bows 

 and arrows ; for though many of them have guns in 

 their possession, the scarcity of ammunition prevents 

 them from using them to any purpose. The following 

 description of an encounter with them by a small party, 

 encamped in the valley of the Bear River, then seldom 

 frequented by white men, will give an idea of their 

 mode of attack : 



" We were just on the point of returning to the 

 camp to dinner, when Dowling, who w^as standing near 

 some sage bushes at the upper part of the ravine, 

 heard a rustling among them, and on moving in the 

 direction of the noise saw an Indian stealthily creeping 

 along, who, as soon as he perceived he was discovered, 

 discharged an arrow, which just missed its mark, but 

 lacerated, and that rather severely, Dowling's ear. 

 The savage immediately set up a most terrific whoop, 

 and ran off, but tumbled before he could draw another 

 arrow from his quiver, while Dowling, rushing for- 

 ward, buried his mattock in the head of his fallen foe, 

 killing him instantaneously. 



" At this moment we heard the crack of a rifle in 

 the direction of the camp, which, with the Indian's 

 whoop at the same moment, completely bewildered us. 



