SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS. 
125 
termined to return and endeavor to recross in my own boat. 
On arriving I turned it on the side as far as possible, to relieve 
it of the water inside, then tying the hawser to my arm, I 
stepped on board. I was carried down with the greatest velocity 
for some distance, when I brought up against a rock. I was 
again in motion, and again sided against a rock with such force 
that the water burst over filling my boat. There was now no 
alternative but to try to reach the shore, which, after sundry cold 
baths, I succeeded in doing. 
It was now late, and the night was extremely dark. One 
mile below were two sailor friends, and I resolved to reach 
their encampment. The first part of the route lay over a rocky 
promontory, overhanging the river. I passed over this by 
clinging to the shrubs and points of rocks. Occasionally one of 
the latter would leap from its bed, and with one terrific bound, 
disappear in the water below. On gaining the other side, I 
found the route easy, and soon gained the point of destination. 
I received a welcome from Tom and George (before spoken of) 
that sailors only know how to give. Tom cut wood, built a fire 
against a rock, and I was soon comfortably incased in a sailor’s 
suit, mine hanging by the fire, George, in the meantime, boiling 
the tea-kettle, frying pork and toasting bread, and I was soon 
invited into the tent to partake of their hospitalities. Tom 
assisted me in the morning; I reached my tent at noon. To 
Tom, George, Charley, and Billy, (the latter has since died)— 
may fortune crown their efforts, and friendship always smile ! 
The mining districts soon became almost destitute of provis¬ 
ions, and the country impassable in consequence of the immense 
fall of rain. There was a reported scarcity of flour, and it rose 
in one day, at San Francisco, from $16 to $40 per barrel, and 
in the mines from 80 cents to $1.50 per pound. I had laid in 
a good supply at a low price, but after this was exhausted the 
only way in which I could keep a supply, was to buy out those 
who were about to return to town. There was an almost uni¬ 
versal desire to leave the mines, and but few remained except¬ 
ing those who were from necessity compelled to. Some were 
preparing to return to the States; the number, however, was 
few. We had formed strong attachments, having participated 
in so many vicissitudes, and the thought of separating gave rise 
