CALIFORNIA. 
191 
quent in large numbers. Their cry or whistle is at times very shrill, 
and may be heard for a great distance. 
At the junction of the Feather river with the Sacramento, the latter 
increases in width to nearly double. It was found just below the 
junction to be from twelve to fifteen hundred feet broad, forming a sort 
of bay, but it soon again contracts. They encamped about ten miles 
below the confluence of these streams. 
Whilst the men were employed in pitching the tents, Dr. Pickering 
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 w r as 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. 
