204 CALIFORNIA. 



strolled up the bank, to see what he could find in the botanical way, 

 without arms. On his approaching the bushes, a huge grisly bear 

 made for him, and so close was he that it was necessary for him to 

 make all the exertion he could to effect his escape from so dangerous 

 an adversary. He gave the alarm, and every one was running for 

 his arms; but before these could be prepared, this inhabitant of the 

 forest made a precipitate retreat, and was soon beyond the reach of 

 the rifle. 



On the 4th, they had returned to Captain Suter, where they found 

 that a small Russian schooner had arrived from Bodega, bringing the 

 governor of that establishment, who was about delivering it up to 

 Captain Suter. The vessel was understood to have been built at 

 Sitka, and was of only thirty tons burden, very much resembling an 

 English vessel of the same class. 



For a boat they use a skin " badaka," that is admirably adapted for 

 the seas and weather they have to contend with. When the persons 

 are seated, and the opening closed, with a skin dress they more 

 resemble an aquatic animal than any thing else. 



The morning after their arrival, Captain Suter paid his men their 

 weekly wages, in cloths, calicoes, vests, shirts, and pantaloons. The 

 whole was arranged through their chief, who spoke a little Spanish. 

 The labourers are obtained from the different rancherias, and some 

 from the vicinity of the mountains. It was observed that the larger 

 portion of the labourers were young men and boys ; no women were 

 employed, and as yet their services are not needed; but it is the Cap- 

 tain's intention, as he informed our gentlemen, to have employment 

 for them in a year or two. 



Several Americans from the United States are beginning to settle 

 in this part of the country, and it will not be long before it becomes, 

 in some respects, an American colony. 



Although it was late in the season, a few salmon were caught at 

 the fishery ; they were not to be distinguished from the Columbia 

 species of the first run. 



The Indians have several rancherias around New Helvetia. Their 

 lodges are all somewhat like low haycocks, being composed of a 

 framework of sticks, thatched with the bulrush. In these there 

 was no excavation, neither were they covered with earth : these 

 dwellings were at the time deserted by the Indians, who were found 

 encamped about half a mile nearer the river, with but a few boughs 



