TOLING FOE DUCKS IN CALIFORNIA. 225 



was minus a portion of his ear. ^^ Lively, bet yer boots/' 

 quoth the judge ; " let's liquor, boys." 



Next morning we set off for San Jose. The driver of 

 our train was a Mr. Jawkins — a festive cuss. I was 

 introduced to him. He was a mean-looking individual, 

 with a large brooch on his waistcoat, denoting that he 

 belonged to the " Society of B.B.'s," which I was 

 informed meant " Bully Boys." A short time previously 

 the papers stated that " Driver Jawkins tries an experi- 

 ment." It appears that some miscreant had placed a 

 very large rock on the line, and on Mr. J. perceiving it, 

 he bruught his engine to a standstill almost, and then 

 immediately put on full speed; with remarkable fore- 

 thought, he first jumped off the engine and looked on. 

 The result of this little " experiment" of the playful 

 Jawkins was merely six killed and fifteen wounded. His 

 salary was increased next day. 



San Jose in those days was a pretty place, indeed, one 

 of the most enjoyable little towns I was ever in. There 

 was a very good hotel there, and we got everything we 

 required at moderate charges — for California j but it is 

 the very dearest country to travel in I know. 



We hired a horse and waggon for three days at a 

 reasonable price, and, after laying in a good stock of 

 Bourbon and canned fruits, we started for the coast, 

 along a very dusty road. We passed by several beautiful 

 ranches, with sleek cows feeding on them, till we arrived 

 at a sort of half-hotel, half-farmhouse, kept by a decent 

 sort of chap, who was up to all the shooting localities for 

 miles round. Strange to relate, he had actually three 

 beds in the house ! Consequently, it was not particularly 

 early when we turned out next morning. 



Fran9ois, our hunter, was a small man about five feet 

 Q 



