58 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
bay, which is an extensive, bnt very shallow body of water, 
requiring careful pilotage to take vessels through in safety. We 
again enter the Sacramento, which now presents a different 
appearance—the immediate margin being walled up by heavy 
timber, beyond which the marsh extends as far as the eye can 
reach. The depth of water on these marshes frequently covers 
the grass, presenting the appearance of a succession of lakes— 
all swarming with water fowls. Soon after reentering the river 
our pilot brought us to a dead stand by running us on a sand 
bar. It was ebb tide, and there was no alternative but to await 
the flood. We loaded our rifles, lowered a boat, and pulled for 
the shore, preparatory to a hunt. 
On landing, we were greeted by the most ravenous swarm of 
mosquitos it was ever my fortune to fall in with. They 
seemed to constitute the very atmosphere, and for size and 
spirit, I think they are without rivals, even in the “ Montezuma 
swamp.” We did not at first retreat, but soon came to the con¬ 
clusion that game must be poor, where there are so many bills 
presented. We carried a few of them on board, and they were 
so well pleased, they remained till morning. At 10, A.M., the 
tide flooded us off, and we were again under way. We soon 
left the river, and entered what is called the “slough/’ which is a 
part of the river running out twenty miles above, and by pass¬ 
ing through it, half the distance is saved. On both sides the 
“ slough,” it is densely timbered; the branches hanging over the 
stream, and many of the trees inclining over, it required the 
greatest care to avoid their coming in contact with our spars. 
We had a fine breeze, and each of the passengers took his turn 
at the wheel. None of them attracted the attention of the 
captain, until it became my turn. Whether it was that I under¬ 
stood navigation better than my fellow-passengers, I am not 
prepared to say, but, certain it is, that I had stood at the wheel 
but a moment, when, without consulting the compass, I found 
myself at a dead stand in a tree-top. I did not claim much 
credit for it, and did not receive any. 
After cutting away branches, grapevines, etc., we were again 
under way, with the captain at the wheel. He proved as skill¬ 
ful as myself, and made fast to the first tree-top. We soon 
reentered the main channel, and were passing through a more 
