252 IIISTOKY OF CALIFORNIA. 



tion of a country j mnt. Tt is reported that,- up to 

 Thursday last, two thousand persons had taken up 

 their journey; that many who were working good 

 claims, and had made considerable progress, were 

 deserting them for the new discovery. Mules and 

 horses were almost impossible to be obtained. A 

 supply from this quarter was expected daily, and most 

 anxiously awaited. Although the truth of the report 

 rest on the authority of but two or three who have 

 returned from Gold Lake, yet but few are found who 

 doubt their marvellous revelations. The first man 

 who came into Marysville took out a party of forty as 

 guide, on condition they paid him one hundred dollars 

 each if his story was verified, and offering his life as a 

 forfeit for any deception. 



" This party, it is understood, came near losing their 

 way, from the difficulty the guide found in retracing 

 his path, after the snow had melted. Fortunately, 

 however, they encountered another man, who was on 

 his way returning, and he showed the track. The 

 second person has since left with a much larger party, 

 who are to give him two hundred dollars each, and 

 the same forfeit is provided. The spot is described 

 as very difficult of approach, and it is feared that 

 many will lose their way. A party of ten Kanakas 

 are reported to have wintered at Gold Lake, subsist- 

 ing chiefly on the flesh of their animals. They are 

 said to have taken out about $75,000 the first week. 

 The lake is not large, and, after the wet season ceases, 

 has no outlet; at present, however, the water runs 

 over the basin, and finds its way into the North Fork 

 of Feather River. At a lower stage, it admits of 

 easy drainage, and the undertaking is already pro- 

 jected. 



