242 



SOUTHERN OREGON. 



stream they had been following for the last few days, and is supposed 

 by some to take its rise in Pitt Lake ; but this I very much doubt, as 

 it lies on the other side of the Cascade or Californian Range, and the 

 two united form the Sacramento. 



Though I have dignified these two streams with the name of rivers, 

 it must not be supposed that they are really such, in our acceptation of 

 the word. The party are generally of the opinion that they should be 

 called creeks. 



They encamped late in the evening near a small rivulet, to the west- 

 ward of the Sacramento. They had much difficulty with their horses, 

 which had now become tired out. For this reason it became necessary 

 to abandon one of them, as he was unable to proceed any further. 



On the 10th they made an early start, and left the mountains. The 

 width of the range they had passed through was upwards of one hun- 

 dred miles. At one place Guardipii, their guide, lost his way ; but on 

 applying to Warfields' Indian wife, she pointed out the trail without 

 difficulty. 



They had now passed into the Sacramento Valley, and had met with 

 some of the Kinkla tribe of Indians, who were known to be friendly, 

 and they became relieved from anxiety. The botanical character of 

 the landscape changed as suddenly : instead of firs, pines, &c, they 

 found themselves among sycamores, oaks, and cotton-wood trees. 

 The oaks bear a variety of acorns, which are equally the food of the 

 bears and the Indians. The prairie bordering the Sacramento at this 

 place is about fifty feet below the upper prairie, and continues for 

 many miles very regularly on the same level ; the latter falling into it 

 by a sloping bank. 



SACRAMENTO INDIAN. 



In the evening the camp was visited by many of these friendly and 



