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CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
party had gone on. After arranging my saddle, I mounted, 
gave the word, and started, myself, but my horse did not; I 
applied my spur gently, but no signs of life; I applied both 
spurs, with the same result. I dismounted, examined the saddle, 
and finding all right, I again mounted ; but with all my argu¬ 
ments I could not induce him to take the first step. Presuming 
there was something wrong, I again dismounted, and went into 
a critical examination. The saddle was properly adjusted, he 
had the usual number of legs, and seemed in good condition. 
There was nothing malicious in his eye, nor was he stuck in the 
mud. I cut a fair-sized cane and again mounted, but with this 
additional argument I could not induce him to move, although 
it was accompanied by the most jjjphement jestures. He would 
occasionally look me in the face, and seem to say, “ I don’t 
exactly understand what this means.” Three natives coming 
along at "this particular juncture, I induced them to go behind 
and push; their first effort caused a general relaxation of the 
muscular system, and the next moment my horse was on his 
back, his eyes rolled up, the very picture of resignation ; 1 was 
looking around on the ground for the rider. We stood in 
momentary expectation of seeing him breathe his last, but he 
soon got up and very deliberately commenced eating; I tried to 
lead him, but no. As the natives were going in the same direc¬ 
tion, we each cut a long pole and went behind, soon convincing 
him that he was a very fair traveler. 
I soon overtook the captain, he being on foot, a short distance 
in the rear of the party, and informed him of the difficulty I had 
had with my horse. He thought it was owing to his reluctance 
at leaving home, and proposed to buy a half-interest, and I pay 
half the expenses of the cart. Two influences operated upon 
my mind in coming to a conclusion ; one, that my trunk was al¬ 
ready on the cart, the other that I thought one owner quite in¬ 
sufficient for such a horse. The captain mounted, and I hurried 
on to overtake the team. Night soon overtook us, and with it 
a terrific thunder storm. It was extremely dark, and we were 
obliged to grope about to find our way, the rain pouring down in 
torrents. We had distanced the captain, but he soon informed 
us of his locality by bawling out lustily for help. We were 
startled, and hurried back to his assistance, when we found him 
