OVERLAND EXPEDITION TO SAN FRANCISCO. 299 



It was calculated that the width of the range we passed 

 over was one hundred miles. We were allured from height to 

 height by many splendid views of land and water, which open 

 at every turn of the pass ; still we felt quite relieved when 

 we reached the Sacramento Valley on the other side of the 

 mountain, and reflected that the remainder of our journey 

 would be comparatively easy, and devoid of the anxiety caused 

 by the constant anticipation of being assaulted by hostile 

 tribes. 



On reaching the Sacramento Valley, a material difference 

 was observed in the character of the vegetation. Few pines 

 or firs were now to be seen, while the oak, the sycamore, and 

 the cotton-wood trees were abundant. Most of the plants 

 were also unlike any we had been accustomed to see, and 

 some were found which were not described in any of the 

 botanical works- 



On the 10th we fell in with several villages belonging to 

 the Kinkla tribe of Indians ; they consisted of a few rude 

 huts constructed of poles — the whole surrounded by a brush- 

 fence, which answered for a stockade. Most of the inhabi- 

 tants were out gathering acrons and wild grapes. Their 

 complexion was quite dark, but their features are more regu- 

 lar than those of the northern tribes. Some were seen who 

 had the Roman nose and oval face. They wore their hair 

 long, but had it tied in a bunch behind. Their ears were 

 bored, and the upper part of each cheek had- a triangular 

 figure painted upon it with a blue-black substance. It was 

 also observed that they tattooed their arms. They had nothing 

 to cover their nakedness, except a piece of deer-skin thrown 

 over their shoulders. Their weapons were bows and arrows, 

 and a forked-spear which they use to kill fish. 



Within half a mile of one of the villages our hunters killed 



