94 : 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
have taken; the latter party moving in that direction soon find 
their friends. But if the enemy is on the alert, the first arrow 
is dropped, and soon another, which is found at right angles 
with the first. This is a caution. They move on still farther 
in the direction indicated by the first arrow, and if there is dan¬ 
ger they find two arrows, one across the other. They now stop 
and secrete themselves. Soon one of the first party approaches 
them cautiously and informs them of the position of the enemy. 
In cases of storm, when the sun is hidden, they resort to other 
indications for the point of compass. They find the moss much 
thicker on the north side of trees and rocks, than on the south. 
They also cut into the trees and find the annual growfh much 
thicker on the south, than on the north side. Jim’s legs had 
the appearance of being bound with cords under the skin, in 
consequence of the general rupture of the blood vessels. He 
says he was taken prisoner by the Indians, and in making his 
escape was chased ninety miles, without stopping for food or rest. 
The condition of his limbs then compelled him to stop, and 
secrete himself, where, in consequence of his lameness, he was 
obliged to remain for three weeks subsisting on roots. Jim, 
with his other accomplishments, was considered one of the best 
“monte” dealers in Mexico. On visiting the frontier towns, he 
would spend his time in gambling. Sometimes he would win 
several thousand dollars in one night, and the next day he would 
have every man drunk in town; what he could not spend in 
drink, he would give to the poor, or to his friends. Money was 
an incumbrance to which he would not submit. After remain¬ 
ing two or three days he mounted his horse and started up the 
river, designing, as I supposed, not to return. 
