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SOUTHERN OREGON. 



their worn-out condition ; thirdly and lastly, that if they did recover, 

 they would he worthless. The same faults were applied to the pack- 

 saddles, parfleshes, and appichemens, that have been described in the 

 beginning of this chapter, and which had caused so much trouble to 

 procure. Their value, in the eyes of these gentlemen, was next to 

 nothing. Under these circumstances, a notice was posted up at the 

 few corners of the pueblo of Yerba Buena, that they would be dis- 

 posed of by public auction. 



This attracted a great crowd, and among the number was the only 

 representative of authority of the government, the redoubtable alcalde. 

 The horses had been put in lots, as was likewise the case with the 

 accoutrements. Each of these was announced first in English, then 

 in Spanish, and last in French, which gave the auctioneer a full 

 opportunity to descant upon their sore backs, lameness, visible ribs, 

 and sorry appearance. The Spanish language seemed to be more 

 copious in words to express their condition, for it certainly produced 

 many jeers and much laughter among the motley throng. They went 

 off briskly, however, in lots, from one dollar and fifty cents to five 

 and six dollars each, principally under the bid of the redoubtable 

 alcalde, who had arranged things well enough with those under his 

 authority ; but as there were some of our countrymen and foreigners 

 there whom he could not overawe, he had to pay what was deemed a 

 fair price for the worn-out animals, although they were sold without 

 reserve ; and when one considers that a brood-mare is valued here at 

 less than a dollar, it will appear so. The proceeds of the sale 

 amounted to two hundred and ten dollars. 



SHASTE HUT. 



