226 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



The supper being on the American plan, and knowing we 

 would now have to beg until we got work, the landlord did 

 not make much out of us. We were allowed to lie on the 

 floor until morning. We failed to work a free breakfast out 

 of our host, but he gave us permission to leave our gripsacks 

 at the hotel until we came for them. 



In the midst of a penetrating rain we left the hotel and 

 struck across a range of hills for Napa Valley, where we were 

 told we would find work. I had nothing to carry but my 

 blankets, so I traveled with more comfort. What I had left 

 was of no practical use to me, being a better suit of clothing 

 and some books. One of these was named " Spanish without 

 a Master," which I had studied that I might enjoy conversa- 

 tion with the native Californians. It was aptly named, for if 

 it ever had a master it was without one while I carried it. 

 Arrived in the valley, work was as scarce as ever. We would 

 alternate in making our inquiries. Some would be answered 

 respectfully, others rudely. I well recollect a farmer we came 

 across while he was killing a hog. It was my turn, and in 

 spite of the inauspiciousness of the moment, I humbly asked 

 him if he did not want a couple of good men. Looking up 

 from his gory work in surprise, for he had not seen me before, 

 he spitefully told me he " couldn't raise enough money to pay 

 the men he had, let alone more," and went on with his work. 

 Tired and hungry, as usual, we arrived at a wayside ranch, 

 whose owner was just going to dinner. He had no work for 

 us, but kindly invited us to sit down to the table. 



We were now getting into the heart of Napa Valle}^ one of 

 the greatest grain growing regions around the bay. We came 

 to the little village of Suscol about sunset. Here lived some 

 Bucks Countians, but I did not know it then. Just beyond 

 we came to Napa. Unacquainted with the country over which 

 we were traveling I thought we were going more and more 

 into the wilderness. Imagine my surprise when I saw a large 



