The Ascent of San Antonio. 125 



Soon after this, leaving the road, we continued along 

 the floor of San Antonio Canon about two and one half 

 miles; then, making a sharp turn, entered Bear Canon, 

 where a steep, narrow trail made us begin to feel at home. 

 For a short distance the trail follows a brook, and is 

 embowered by overarching trees. Then, leaving the 

 canon, winding along a mountain-side, a steady climb of 

 about one mile took us out of the timber and brought us 

 to Fern Flats, our camping-place. 



It would be difficult to imagine a more dreary or un- 

 attractive camping-place than Fern Flats. Bullion Flat 

 at its worst must yield to it. The only reason for its 

 use is, that it is the last place where water can be ob- 

 tained. It has nothing else to recommend or justify it. 

 Beyond the timber-belt, though below the timber-line, 

 situated near the head of a broad canon, it is swept by 

 a bitter wind. Fuel is scarce and must be carried some 

 distance. There is not sufficient level ground for sleep- 

 ing-places, and altogether a prospect is presented which 

 would daunt all but true mountain-lovers. But as all true 

 " High Sierrans " are genuine mountain-lovers, we did 

 not growl overmuch, but proceeded to make the best 

 of it. 



First came wood-gathering — long hauls and small 

 profits. But a bright fire and the prospect of an abundant 

 supper eased all our cares, and soon we were partaking 

 of a meal which did not require the keen air of the 

 mountains to make most enjoyable. Mrs. Dawson came 

 to our assistance with some of that automatic (?) buck- 

 wheat flour which requires only a suggestion to trans- 

 form itself into cakes, and which, with maple syrup, was 

 to our meal " like the benediction that follows after 



