I 



§ 



192 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



out their entire extent, and the passes are so narrow, 

 as barelj to admit of one horse or mule passing 

 throuo-h at a time ; the rider, to avoid a severe contu- 

 sion, or probably a broken limb, in turning the sharp 

 angles, being compelled to place his feet as near the 

 animal's head as possible, and in this manner he can 

 ride in perfect safety, though some little management 

 is requisite to maintain an equilibrium. Before enter- 

 ing these defiles, the muleteers shout at the top of 

 their voices, and stop for a short time, continuing the 

 shouting as they advance, to apprize others at the 

 opposite extremity of the pass, that the way is already 

 occupied. This is necessary and important, for if two 

 on horseback were to meet in one of these narrow 

 but crooked paths, the scene between the Quaker and 

 Dandy would have to be re-enacted, for many news- 

 papers would have to be read, and many segars 

 smoked, before either could turn out of the way for 

 his neighbor. 



" Continuing on, we passed two or three liadcalas^ 

 or huts, by the way, and after several brief but pleasant 

 stoppages at the various brooks and mountain-rills, we 

 at length came out on a beautiful undulating meadow, 

 where picturesque villas and shadowy trees decked the 

 verdant plain, and soon thereafter the towers of 

 Panama were in view. The sun was just setting as we 

 entered the suburbs, and a flood of purple glory rested 

 on the sky, reflected back by the sparkling waters of 

 the Pacific, which brought the distant mountains into 

 bolder relief, and cast a deeper shadow through the 

 twilight groves. Half an hour's ride over the paved 

 Btreet, brought us to the city, which we entered at the 

 * Gorgona gate,' passing through a heavy stone arch- 



