152 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



A single garment was the average. One would have a pair 

 of pantaloons so torn that had there been a background of 

 shirt and any street urchins in the vicinity, he would have 

 been told there was mail matter awaiting call. Another 

 would have a coat split down the back like a locust shell, a 

 third would have a shirt only, and a fourth only a hat. Some 

 had quivers of panther skins hung over their shoulders. These 

 were filled with arrows made of reeds and pointed with sharp 

 flints, bound on with fine sinews. Their bows were three or 

 four feet long, and made either of wood or from elk-ribs neatly 

 spliced together. These last must have come from the East, as 

 there is nothing larger than rabbits in this section. Their 

 bows are powerful, and will send an arrow through the body 

 of an ox or horse, as passing emigrants have often learned to 

 their sorrow. These Indians had no fire-arms. The head 

 men knew our conductors well from previous intercourse, and 

 shook hands with them quite ostentatiously ; winding up with 

 the everlasting cry of " shetcop,^' a word which springs as 

 naturally to a Digger's lips as does " backsheesh " to those of 

 their near relative, the Egyptian Arab. Shortly after their 

 arrival in camp they commenced dragging fuel from distant 

 points for our use, for which service they expected liberal pay 

 in food and raiment. Our animals were given in their charge. 

 The Mormons adopted this plan altogether while traveling in 

 these regions, and were rarely troubled with having stock 

 stolen ; for the Diggers, through interested motives, were true 

 to their trust. 



