miles, and we feared sometimes darkness would overtake us on the way. In the twilight, 
however, we reached the valley, where we found a stage waiting to convey the older ladies 
and others unwilling to ride, to Hutching's Hotel. Being thus relieved, we commenced a lively 
canter up the valley, the hills often echoing with the songs and shouts of some of our party. 
Soon, however, it became quite dark, and the streams which we had to cross several times were 
much swollen, and often rapid, so that it was with difficulty we kept our horses upon their feet, 
and many found themselves full of business, and had neither time nor disposition for merry-making. 
A ride of five miles brought us to our last ford, and here a wierd scene arose before us as if by 
magic. Every particle of light was shut out by the overhanging mountains, the rush of waters 
was almost deafening, and seemed about to swallow us up, while before us were two lines ol 
lights, seemingly suspended in the air and reflected on the foaming waters below. On we 
marched, into the water until it reached our feet, when our 
ghostly attendants proved to be guides that the landlord had 
sent out with lanterns to guide us safely over the swollen 
stream. Thus we arrived safely at our hotel, where supper 
was awaiting our arrival, and rest, of which some of us were 
much in need. 
THE YOSEMITE VALLEY. 
The Yo-scm-i-te Valley is but a little valley, although its 
fame has extended over the civilized world — only six to eight 
miles in length, and varying from half a mile to a mile in 
width; yet for beauty and sublimity it stands unrivaled. It 
is surrounded by granite rocks, in son.e places nearly perpen¬ 
dicular, in many they are quite so, in others the summits 
overhang the base, and varying from two to four thousand 
feet in height. Through this valley flows a river, called the 
Merced , or River of Mercy. This river is fed by water from 
the melting snows of the surrounding mountains, which finds 
its way to the valley by four or five rivers. As the crystal 
waters leap from the mountain tops to the valley, in some 
cases two thousand feet in one perpendicular fall, in others by 
a succession of falls and rapids three thousand feet, the glory 
of the scene may be imagined, but cannot be described. If 
the day is warm, so as to melt the snow rapidly, the water 
reaches the valley about six o’clock in the evening, and it 
continues to rise until nearly midnight, often overflowing the 
river banks and all low parts of the valley, so as to render 
traveling on foot somewhat difficult. By the morning the water has subsided. The soil in 
the valley is mainly composed of disintegrated granite. There is considerable cedar and pine 
and oak timber in the valley and on the mountain sides. We observed only two gardens, and 
one young orchard which looked exceedingly well. Strawberries and raspberries are cultivated 
to some extent, for the purpose of supplying the hotels. The Indians are quite successful in 
securing trout from the river, so visitors have no difficulty generally in obtaining a good break¬ 
fast. There are three very comfortable hotels in the valley, not supplied of course with all the 
luxuries of an eastern hotel, but good enough to satisfy every reasonable tourist, especially when 
it is considered that every article of food and furniture is brought into the valley on pack-mules, 
down difficult and often dangerous mountain trails. How billiard-tables and other heavy articles 
made the descent is more than we can imagine. The little engraving will give our readers 
some idea of mountain travel. In this way we entered the valley, and afterwards traversed the 
mountains for seven glorious days. 
The Yosemite of course formed a part of the public domain and belonged to the General 
Government. Several persons had settled in the valley, and claimed possession by “squatter 
right.” The State of California wished it to be preserved as a State Park. It was accordingly 
given to California for this purpose. The “settlers” insisted on their rights, and took legal 
means to sustain them, but were defeated. The State, however, generously appropriated a sum 
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