222 



A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



doubtless experiencing the same relief we all feel when 

 sending a tramp to a hotel, a proprietor of a brief to the nearest 

 benevolent neighbor, or a book-agent to our worst enemy. We 

 loitered around the door of the empty hall of learning for a 

 while but did not enter, fearing we might not get awake in 

 time for school ; besides, we questioned the right of our departed 

 friend, who had thoughtfully slipped away, to give us the 

 freedom of this hall of learning. We then went on to Martinez, 

 a considerable town and the county seat of Contra Costa 



Straits of Caequinaz. 



County. This is opposite Benicia, on the Straits of Carquinaz, 

 which connect the bays of San Pablo and Suisun, the latter 

 the recipient of the waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin. 

 Here we found a liveryman kind enough to let us pass the 

 night in his stable. He sent a hostler with us, and picking 

 out a comfortable stall we secured it by depositing our bag- 

 gage therein. • It being too cold to sit there, we went to the 

 hotel adjacent, and seated around a warm stove we fired up 



