PASS THROUGH CALIFORNIA. 89 
- more to the post of San Pedro, where Colonel Banning, the 
- commander, dispenses his hospitality in a charming manner. 
_ How we were entertained ; how we tasted wines of various 
: vintages; how we passed through San Fernando and Soledad 
_ Passes, to the Great Basin east of the mountains ; how we 
’ skirted the eastern foot of the mountains to Tehachepa Pass ; 
how General Palmer, with the parties from the 35th parallel, 
_ joined us there; how we exchanged our tales of adventure ; 
_ how we traversed Tulare valley, where the wild flowers were 
in bloom and fragrant in December ; how we clambered over 
_ the Coast Range at Pacheco Pass ; how we passed through the 
- beautiful valley of Santa Clara to San J osé; how we again 
_ rode behind a full-grown locomotive into San Francisco ; how 
we all met safe and sound at last in the capacious hall of the 
- Occidental Hotel; how heartily we commemorated that happy 
- event ; and how General Palmer, you, my dear Bell, and myself 
; fared on our return trip by Salt Lake City, I must leave for 
_ others to relate. 
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