CjjEptn Clnrtmttfi. 
VENISON—FIRST VIEW OF THE GOLD REGIONS—SURROUNDING SCENERY—“MORMON BAR” 
—A POCKET—MY MACHINE IN MOTION—CERTAINTY OF SUCCESS—FIRST DINNER— 
“PROSPECTING”—A GOOD “ LEAD ”—DISAPPOINTED MINERS—A NEW COMPANION—A 
HIGHER POINT ON THE RIVER—VOLCANOES—SNOWY MOUNTAIN—AUBURN—LONELY 
ENCAMPMENT. 
We passed the night in the open air, and the next morning 
at eight o’clock arrived at an encampment of teamsters who 
were just dressing a deer and preparing breakfast. (See Plate.) 
The tree under which they were encamped was on fire, on one 
side, to its very top—the other supporting a luxuriant branch. 
The coffee-pot is on the fire and the cook stands by, frying-pan 
in hand, waiting for the steak. At the left the cattle are seen 
feeding; one of them, however, having resigned himself to the 
“ coyotas.” In the distance is seen a herd of deer bounding 
away over the hill. On the right are seen teams wending their 
way to the banks of the “ North Fork” of the American river—- 
freighted with provisions and utensils for mining. It will be seen 
that we have ascended into a more elevated region since leaving 
the last Plate. The ascent has been gradual—almost impercep¬ 
tible—still everything indicates our elevation. 
At ten we arrived at a junction in the roads, four miles from 
our point of destination; we remained here until after dinner; 
we now felt that we were about to try the realities of that for 
which we had left home and friends, traveled thousands of 
miles, and endured hardships and privations, the very thought 
of which makes the heart sick—we felt a degree of anxiety, as 
a few hours would probably decide whether we were soon to 
Teturn to our friends or endure a long period of hardships in 
the mines. After dinner we were again under way, and soon, 
leaving the main road, we were running in the direction of the 
