128 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



than his desire for playing soldier in an isolated post, or of 

 exchanging black eyes and bloody noses with an enemy. This 

 was Bentl}^, whose heart fluttered with fear when his eyes 

 caught sight of the white, conical tents, which not only called 

 up memories of old times, but reminded him that the}^ con- 

 tained certain blue-uniformed individuals whose duty it was 

 to exercise a paternal care over his absconding person. He 

 resolved, however, not to despair, and concealing himself as 

 well as he could beneath the baggage in the wagon to which 

 he belonged, he ran the gauntlet in safety, although the 

 inquisitive eyes of one of the soldiers peered into his place of 

 concealment. What visions of " ball and chain," and " drum- 

 ming out of the regiment," arose in the deserter's mind about 

 this time, the reader can imagine ; suffice to say, he safely 

 crossed the Sevier and the Rubicon. Heretofore Bently had 

 been satisfied to borrow^ my green goggles, for disguise when 

 passing a post, but the close watch here apparent forced 

 greater precautions. 



We encamped after night on a cedar-covered bluff' over- 

 looking the valley, and as we had plenty of fuel we managed 

 to keep at bay the cold night air which surrounded us, and 

 our well-fed campfires shot out brightly into the surround- 

 ing darkness. The cedar boughs spread on the stony ground 

 afforded us excellent couches, and with our feet turned towards 

 the fire, Indian fashion, we rolled up in our blankets, and 

 slept like kings in state ; the earth our bed, the star-lit sky 

 our canopy. 



There is a pleasure in camp life, which only those can 

 appreciate who have experienced it : a freedom from all those 

 petty cares and anxieties which beset the mind in the midst 

 of civilization. The soul expands and revels in a creation all 

 its own, as it gazes upon the external world, which, if not 

 endowed with the comforts and refinements of civilized life, 

 is at least bare of its deceit and heartlessness, and there is 



