24 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
fuel, and still more difficult to make it burn. They however 
succeeded in kindling the fire. "We usually boiled our coffee- 
water in the camp-kettle, but this being full of game, we filled a 
large tin pan with water, and placed it over the fire, supported 
by three stones. The ham was frying briskly by the fire, our 
chocolate dissolving, and every thing going on swimmingly , when 
one of the stones turned, capsizing the tin pan, putting out 
every particle of fire, and filling the chocolate and ham with 
ashes. (See plate.) Mr. Cooper was frantic with rage, doffing 
his hat, throwing the ham into the river, kicking over the choc¬ 
olate cup, cursing every thing in general, and tin pans in partic¬ 
ular, while Mr. Beaty, with a most rueful countenance, clasped 
his hands, exclaiming, “ Oh! my!!!” 
Mr. Bodge came to the rescue, and we had a warm breakfast, 
and were soon under way. At ten, the sun came out, and we 
had a pleasant run, using our sail. We encamped in a delight¬ 
ful place on the left bank of the river, and had a comfortable 
night’s rest. When we awoke in the morning, the air was filled 
with parrots, toucans, tropical pheasants, etc. Our guns were 
immediately brought into requisition, and we soon procured a 
full supply, including seven pheasants. One of the party and 
myself finding a path that had been beaten by wild beasts 
resolved to follow it, and penetrate more deeply into the forest. 
After going some distance we heard a strange noise, which 
induced my companion to return. Being well armed I pro¬ 
ceeded on, and soon came upon a party of monkeys taking 
their morning exercise. There were about twenty of them, in 
The top of a large tree. The larger ones would take the smaller 
and pretend they were about to throw them off; the little ones, 
in the mean time, struggling for life. There was one very large 
one, with a white face, who appeared to be doing the honors of 
the occasion, viz., laughing when the little ones were frightened. 
If I had been within speaking distance of his honor , I would 
have informed him that his uncouth laugh had diminished the 
audience on the present occasion by at least one half. I did 
not break in upon their sports, but, following the path, soon 
found myself at a bend of the river. 
A native was passing, who informed me that there were tur¬ 
keys on the other side. I stepped into his canoe, and in a 
