102 EXPLORATIONS ACEOSS THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 



is the famous Norwegian, Thompson, of whom I have before spoken ; Pi-Ute Dick 

 is also along. Stopped for the night at Peter Burdie's, 20 miles from Plaeerville. 



June 22, Peter Burdie's, Sierra Nevada.— Left at 5 a, m., and reached Yankee's, or 

 mail-station, in Lake Valley, 40 miles from Burdie's, and staid all night. I notice 

 that, after leaving the 25-mile side-hill grade, before spoken of, and before reaching 

 Johnston's Pass, the road is very rocky, and in many places steep, and, like the 

 portions mentioned under date of June 14, should be improved. 



June 23, matt-station, L<tko Valley, Sierra Nevada, — Elevation above the sea, 6,311 

 feet. In order to get over to Genoa as early as possible, left Major Dodge at station, 

 and took passage in. the mail-stage, leaving at 3 a. m. Passengers, a lady and child 

 and two men, with myself. Driver a famous whip, but who, unfortunately, had all 

 night long been carousing with some others at the station, and was quite drunk when 

 he started. He seemed, however, to be sober enough to ask me to sit with him 

 outside, and, as I thought, that I might take the lines if there should be occasion. 

 Had scarcely left, before, on account of the darkness of the night, the mules got out 

 of the road, and came near breaking the stage by passing between two stumps. 

 Being on the box, I was enabled to draw up the team in time, not, however, without 

 the loss of a whipple-tree. The next obstacle was the bridge, from the farther half 

 of which the puncheon flooring had been removed by some mischievous persons 

 during the night, and piled up on the bank.* I got off, and, with the assistance of 

 one of the passengers, who was, like the driver, a little boosy, replaced the flooring, 

 a space of about 2 feet being left on the farther side, on account of a deficiency of 

 material. Nothing daunted, however, the driver rushed over, and fortunately gained 

 the opposite bank without accident. After this, in ascending the acclivity from Lake 

 Valley to summit of Luther's Pass, 5 miles from mail-station, had a very serious time 

 All hands out to enable him to get up the hill. Driver so drunk as not to know what 

 to do, and yet as obstinate as a mule ; slashes the animals all around, but yet in such 

 a way as not to make them work together; the consequence is a dead halt. Was 

 glad of it, for the reason that if he- could have got to the summit before he became 

 sober lie would have dashed us all to pieces in his descent on the other side. At last, 

 just tetore reaching summit, the stage upset and broke the tongue. Luckily, at my 

 suggestion, nil were out at the time. Here was a dilemma. I helped to get the stage 

 (nit of the road. The driver then took his mules and went down to the next house on 

 the road, tor a wagon. About an hour .iter, Major Dodge appeared with his ambu- 

 lance, and kindly took the lady and myself in with him. and left Mr. Van Duvek and 

 r ' *>ut 4 miles, met driver returning with a wagon, a 

 t about 9 o'clock reach Woodford's, at the mouth 

 topped and got breakfast. 



no nth of Carson Canon, where the fork debouches 

 >t Carson River, a distance of 12 or 13 miles, is 

 r the Sierra Nevada. The ascent from Lake Valley 



or bones broto H^tb^llkta^ 



>y the parties who instigated it to rob Q 



d on account of tbe expedition. 



good deal sobe 



of Cars, .n Kiv( 



The road 



from the moun 



red and subd 

 from Lake Va 





'i of the whole 



