In the Sierra 



But, like casks of wine, no two potfuls are 

 exactly alike to every palate. Some are sup- 

 posed to be spoiled by the moon, by some 

 unlucky day, by the beans having been 

 grown on soil not suitable; or the whole 

 year may be to blame as not favorable for 

 beans. 



Coffee, too, has its marvels in the camp 

 kitchen, but not so many, and not so inscru- 

 table as those that beset the bean-pot. A 

 low complacent grunt follows a mouthful 

 drawn in with a gurgle, and the remark 

 cast forth aimlessly, "That's good coffee/' 

 Then another gurgling sip and repetition 

 of the judgment, " Tes 9 sir, that is good 

 coffee." As to tea, there are but two kinds, 

 weak and strong, the stronger the better. 

 The only remark heard is, " That tea 's 

 weak," otherwise it is good enough and not 

 worth mentioning. If it has been boiled 

 an hour or two or smoked on a pitchy fire, 

 no matter, - - who cares for a little tannin or 

 creosote ? they make the black beverage all 

 [ 109] 



