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CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
to gloomy reflections, particularly to those who were to remain. 
The supply of provisions had become so entirely exhausted, 
that many had resolved upon the hazardous alternative of going 
into the mountains, and wintering on the food procured with 
their rifles. At the head of the list was my friend Tracy. 
Nothing could induce him to go to town; he had as great an 
aversion to civilization as his friend Jim. He had left his home 
when a boy, and was probably never heard of by his parents ; 
the connection was entirely severed, and he looked upon his 
rifle as his only true friend and reliance. 
Having sold out my stock, Mr. Fairchild, Mr. Jones, and 
myself had resolved to start on the 17th of November for San 
Francisco, Mr. F. and myself destined for home. The only 
preparation necessary was to distribute our surplus effects among 
our friends; at this particular time it afforded more pleasure to 
give than to receive. Nothing was movable, hardly ourselves ; 
the earth had become so thoroughly saturated, we would either 
of us have been loth to accept a new suit of clothes, ragged as 
we were. We each reserved a pair of pantaloons, a flannel 
shirt, glazed cap, and stogy boots. These, in connection with 
our blankets, constituted our outfits. Our firearms we found it 
difficult to dispose of; they were entirely useless, and our friends 
accepted them merely as an act of courtesy. My revolver, I 
• had carried across the Isthmus, and kept during my stay in 
California, and when I disposed of it, it had not had the honor 
of being charged. 
On the morning of the 17th my successor took possession of 
the store, and we were preparing to start, the rain pouring 
down a deluge. Our friends had all collected to bid us fare¬ 
well, and to give into our charge letters to their friends. It 
was a gloomy morning, and a feeling of sadness appeared to 
steal over the minds of those we were about to leave. Having 
contracted with a gentleman who was to leave two days after, 
to deliver a package for me at Sacramento City, we filled our 
bottles with u Monongahela,” and putting a certain quantity 
where the effects would be more immediately felt, bade farewell 
to all, and started up the mountain. We were soon hailed by 
Tracy and Dean, who were not yet reconciled to parting with 
us, and who accompanied us a mile to the top of the mountain. 
