158 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



but the Digger is by no means particular in his diet, and the 

 mush was scratched from the earth and gobbled down, sand 

 and all. We were fearful that the " ladies " would fail to get 

 their just allowance of shetcop, as their selfish lords seemed 

 disposed to appropriate the whole amount to themselves, but 

 we changed our opinions when we saw a cunning old squaw 

 step quietly in and take possession of one of the camp- 

 kettles, while the rest of the porcine group were squabbling 

 over the others. Returning to a safe distance with her prize, 

 she seated herself by it, and drawing the drapery of her 

 mantle around it, secured it from the gaze of prying eyes. It 

 was mirth-provoking to see the old " Diggeress," as seated by 

 her prize, she now and then gave us a knowing look. It was 

 with infinite satisfaction that she at last saw the contentious 

 crew start for a neighboring thicket, in close pursuit of two 

 camp-kettles which two enterprising gentlemen had made 

 bold to bear off for their exclusive benefit. Watching her 

 opportunity, she called up the squaws and papooses, who 

 had long been in the background of the scene, and unveiled 

 to the gaze of watchful eyes her "mess of pottage;" when 

 with exceeding zest the whole party fell to work and the 

 beverage disappeared with astonishing rapidity : the ladies 

 with the bowl-shaped bonnets faring the best, as they could 

 dip out a goodly portion at a time, while their less fortunate 

 comrades were constrained to make use of the convenient 

 goblet of Diogenes — the hollow of the hand. The whole 

 scene was rife with side-splitting merriment, and the per- 

 formers were greeted with uproarious laughter by the com- 

 pact circle of " Americats " which crowded around them, in 

 spite of the cries of " Piquee ! Piquee /" (go away ! go away !) 

 which were yelled at them by the annoyed Diggers. 



The Pah-Utahs are the poorest and most degraded we saw 

 of all the Indians east or west of the Rocky Mountains. They 

 are kept in continual subjection by the powerful tribes of the 



