On parting with the Californian colonists, young Johnson and I proceeded
direct to the diggings on the Yuba, where, after looking about for a day
or so, we joined partnership with two others, and set to work on a
"claim" close by the banks of the river.
We had arrived at an opportune season--the summer of 1849--when every
miner was doing well. There was a good deal of generosity among the
miners at this time; and those who could not discover a good claim by
their own exertions, would have one pointed out with directions how to
work it!
Our party toiled four weeks at the claim we had chosen, and was very
successful in obtaining gold. Never did my hopes of the future appear
so bright. Never did Lenore seem so near.
No gold washing could be done on the Yuba during the winter--the water
in the river being then too high--and, as we had not much longer to
work, it was proposed by three men, who held the claim adjoining ours,
that we should join them in prospecting for some new diggings--where we
might be able to continue at work all the winter, unembarrassed by too
much water and too many miners.
One of our neighbours who made this proposal, had visited a place about
forty miles farther up the country--where he believed we might find a
"placer" such as we required. He had been upon a hunting expedition to
the place spoken of; and while there did not look for gold--having no
mining tools along with him; but from the general appearance of the
country, and the nature of the soil, he was convinced we might find in
it some rich dry diggings, that would be suitable for working in the
winter.
It was proposed that one of us should accompany the man on a prospecting
expedition, that we should take plenty of provisions with us, and search
until we should discover such diggings as we desired.
To this proposal, both parties agreed; and I was the one chosen, by
Johnson and my other two companions, to represent them in the
expedition--the expenses of which were to be equally shared by all.
Before starting, I left with young James Johnson my share of the gold we
had already obtained--which amounted to about sixty ounces.
The hunter and I started--taking with us three mules. Each of us rode
one--having our roll of blankets lashed to the croup of the saddle. A
sixty pound bag of flour, some other articles of food, a tent, and the
necessary "prospecting" tools formed "the cargo" of the third mule,
which, in the language of California, was what is called a "pack-mule."
My fellow prospecter was only known to me by the name of Hiram. I soon
discovered that he was not an agreeable companion--at least, on such an
expedition as that we had undertaken. He was not sociable; but, on the
contrary, would remain for hours without speaking a word; and then, when
called upon to say something, he would do so in a voice, the tones of
which were anything but musical.
The animal I bestrode had been christened "Monte," that of Hiram was
called "Poker," and the mule carrying "the cargo" was "Uker." With such
a nomenclature for our beasts, we might easily have been mistaken for a
pair of card-sharpers.
Our progress over the hills was not very rapid. We were unable to go in
a direct line; and were continually wandering around steep ridges, or
forced out of our way by tributaries of the main river--which last we
were frequently compelled to ascend for miles before we could find a
crossing place.
Although fortunate in having good mules, I do not think that our travel
averaged more than fifteen miles a day, in a direct line from where we
started, though the actual distance travelled would be over thirty!
Late in the evening of our third day out, our pack-mule, in fording a
stream, got entangled among the branches of a fallen tree; and, while
trying to extricate the animal out of its dilemma, Hiram was pulled into
the water, and jammed against a limb--so as to suffer a serious injury.
That night we encamped by the stream--near the place where the accident
had happened; and, about midnight, when I was changing my mule--Monte--
to a fresh feeding place, the animal became suddenly alarmed at
something, and broke away from me--pulling the lazo through my hands,
till not only was the skin peeled clean off my fingers, but one or two
of them were cut clean to the bone. I reproached myself for not sooner
having had the sense to let go; but, as usual, the reproach came after
the damage had been done.
The mule, on getting free, started over the ridge as though she had been
fired from a cannon--while Poker and Uker, taking the hint from their
companion, broke their tethers at the same instant, and followed at a
like rate of speed.
I returned to Hiram, and communicated the unpleasant intelligence: that
the mules had stampeded.
"That's a very foolish remark," said he, "for you know I'm not deaf."
This answer did not fall very graciously on my ear; but having made up
my mind, to remain in good humour with my companion as long as possible,
I pretended not to notice it. I simply said in reply, that I thought
there must either be a grizzly bear, or Indians, near us--to have
stampeded the mules.
"Of course thar is," said Hiram, in a tone more harsh than I had ever
before heard him use.
I fancied that he was foolish enough to blame me for the loss of the
mules; and was a little vexed with him, for the way in which he had
answered me.
I said nothing more; but, stepping aside I bandaged up my fingers, and
tried to obtain a little sleep. At sunrise I got up; and, having first
dressed my wounded fingers, I kindled a fire, and made some coffee.
"Come, Hiram!" said I, in an encouraging tone, "turn out, mate! We may
have a hard day's work in looking for the mules; but no doubt we'll find
them all right."
"Find them yourself," he answered. "I shan't look for them."
I had much difficulty in controlling my temper, and restraining myself
from giving Hiram an uncourteous reply.
To avoid subjecting myself to any more of his ill-natured speeches, I
returned to the fire, and ate my breakfast alone.
While engaged in this operation, I pondered in my own mind what was best
to be done. It ended by my coming to the determination to go in search
of my mule Monte; and, having found her, to return to my partners on the
Yuba. I felt certain, that should I attempt farther to prosecute the
expedition along with Hiram, and he continue to make the disagreeable
observations of which he had already given me a sample, there would
certainly be a row between us. In some parts of the world, where people
think themselves highly enlightened, two men getting angry with one
another, and using strong language, is not an unusual occurrence; and
very seldom results in anything, more than both proving themselves
snarling curs. But it is not so in California, where men become
seriously in earnest--often over trifling affairs; and had a row taken
place between my comrade and myself, I knew that only one story would
have been told concerning it.
I finished my breakfast; and, leaving Hiram in his blankets, I started
off over the ridge to find Monte. I searched for the mules about six
hours; and having been unsuccessful in my search, I returned to the camp
without them.
Hiram was still wrapped up in his blanket, just as I had left him; and
then the truth suddenly flashed into my dark mind, like lightning over a
starless sky.
Hiram was ill, and I had neglected him!
The bruise on his side, received against the fallen tree, was more
serious than I had supposed; and this had misled me. He had made no
complaint.
The moment I became aware of my mistake, I hastened to his side.
"Hiram," said I, "you are ill? Forgive me, if you can. I fear that my
thoughtlessness, and passionate temper, have caused you much suffering."
He made no reply to my conciliatory speech. He was in a very high
fever; and asked faintly for water.
I took the tin vessel, in which I had made the coffee; and having filled
it at the stream, gave him a pint cup full.
He drank the water eagerly; and then found voice to talk to me. He said
that he was glad that I had returned, for he wished to tell me where he
had buried some gold, and where his wife and child were living, and
could be written to.
He spoke with great difficulty; and soon called for more water.
I again filled the cup nearly full, and handed it to him. After
drinking every drop that was in it, he requested me to give him the
coffee-can; but, thinking that he had drunk enough water, I declined
acceding to his request; and tried to persuade him, that too much water
would do him a serious injury. He only answered me by clamouring for
more water.
"Wait but a little while," said I. "In a few minutes you shall have
some more."
"Give it me now! Give it me now! Will you not give me some now?"
Knowing that the quantity he had already drunk, could not fail to be
injurious to him, I refused to let him have any more.
"Give me some water!" he exclaimed, with more energy of voice and
manner, than I had ever known him to exhibit.