“BUNGOES” “up” FOR CALIFORNIA. 
41 
intelligence from home. On returning one evening from Gor- 
gona I was informed by Mr. Pratt, my room-mate, that a gen¬ 
tleman had called during my absence with a letter. I left the 
supper table to go in search of him; some one knocked at -the 
door; and imagine my surprise and pleasure as Mr. D. Tremb- 
ley, an old acquaintance from New York was ushered into 
the room. He had letters for me dated two months subse¬ 
quent to my departure. He was accompanied by his brother, 
and I had the pleasure of making the passage up the Pacific 
in their company. 
The prospect, at this time, of getting passage to California 
was extremely doubtful, and many returned to the States. Dur¬ 
ing the latter part of April, however, several vessels arrived 
in port, and were “put up” for San Francisco. I had sent to 
New York for a steamer ticket—which was due, but there being 
no steamer in port, and being attacked with the fever, I was 
advised to leave at the earliest possible moment. I secured 
passage in the ship “Niantic,” which was to sail on the 1st of 
May. On the morning of that day bungoes commenced plying 
between the shore and ship, which was at anchor some five 
miles out, and at 4 P. M., all the passengers were on board. 
The captain was still on shore, and there was an intense anx¬ 
iety manifested. Many had come on board in feeble health; 
some who had purchased tickets had died on shore; many on 
board were so feeble that they were not expected to live. I 
was one of the number; we all felt that getting to sea was our 
only hope, and all eyes were turned toward shore, fearing the 
captain might be detained. At half-past five his boat shoved 
off, when all on board were electrified. As he neared the ship 
all who were able prepared to greet him, and some, whose 
lungs had been considered in a feeble and even precarious state, 
burst out into the most vociferous acclamations. The captain 
mounted the quarter-deck and sung out, “ Heave ahead,” when 
the clanking of the chain and windlass denoted that our anchor 
was being drawn from its bed. At half-past six the “Niantic” 
swung from her moorings, and was headed for the mouth of 
the “ Gulf of Panama.” Again the shouts were deafening. No 
reasonable politician could have wished a greater display of 
enthusiasm, and a nominee would consider his election quite 
