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gentlemen who joined us for protection and guidance The name of one of them has escFor home hardware pumps,110 volt submersible water well pumpped my memory the other was Doctor Bigelow of Detroit Michigan a geologist who at one time was engaged in a geological survey of a portion of Lake Superior We left our camp before sunrise Henderson and myself riding in advance our guests Indian and packmule bringing up the rear This order of traveling was maintained as a matter of convenience for being well mounted Henderson and myself were able to secure deer antelope and a supply of smaller game without hardly leaving the trail or delaying our progress

Among the foothills of the mountain slopes we saw several black bears cross the trail ahead but not being out of meat we did not urgently solicit their company We did however once have our appetite aroused for bar meat but failed to supply the material for the feast Halting for a rest at the foot of a ravine and being very thirsty we followed the indications to water exhibited by our mules These were secured while we explored the by ravine for the waterhole As we reached the desired water two fat cubs came waddling out of the pool and ran into a clump of dwarf willow

Congratulating each other on the prospect of roast cub for supper we tried to get a shot with our revolvers but a 264 rousing demonstration from the parental bear which suddenly appeared alarmed our cautiousness and we retreated hurriedly but in good order to the place where we had carelessly left our rifles Hastily mounting we returned the compliment by at once charging on the bear and her cubs which were now endeavoriFor home hardware pumps,110 volt submersible water well pumpg to escape

As we approached near enough for the mules to see and scent the game they halted and commenced marking time Neither spurs or the butts of our rifles could persuade them to make a forward movement Thinking I might secure a cub that stood temporarily in sight I raised my rifle but in so doing slackened the reins when with the ease and celerity of a welldrilled soldier my mule came to an about face and instantly left that locality Hendersons mule became unmanageable and after a lusty wehaw wehaw followed me while the affrighted bear family scrambled off in search of a place of security Pulling up as soon as we could control our frightened animals Henderson congratulated me on possessing one so active on a retreat while I complimented the intelligence of his own which would not voluntarily endanger his master

After a hearty laugh at our comic illustration of a bear hunt it was mutFor home hardware pumps,110 volt submersible water well pumpally agreed that a mule was not reliable in a charge upon bruin

A mule may be the equal of a horse in intelligence but his inferiority of spirit and courage in times of danger prevents his becoming a favo except as a beast for work or mountain travel

On arriving at the rancheria of the chief Vincente I induced Henderson to stop and explore the country The luscious watermelons and abundant supplies of vegetables were strong arguments in favor of a few days rest for our animals and recreation for ourselves In the meme Doctor Bigelow had told us of a traditional silver mine that he had 265 been informed existed somewhere in the locality of the Tejon I found the pompouFor home hardware pumps,110 volt submersible water well pump old chief fond of displaying his knowledge of agriculture which was really considerable and I complimented him upon his success as was deserved

After paying him for the things liberally supplied our party and which with a show of Spanish courtesy he intimated he had given us because he was a good Christianthough he frequently crossed himself while expressing his fear of witches or demonsI opened up the subject of the old silver mine I designated it as some kind of a mine that had once been worked by an Englishman We were told by Don Vincente that such a mine had been discovered many years before by white men who after working it for awhile had been driven off or killed but for the love of God he could not tell which We expressed a wish to visit the old mine and asked permission For home hardware pumps,110 volt submersible water well pumpf the chief He told us it was not in the territory claimed by him and he was thankful that it was not as the location was haunted When asked if he would furnish us a guide who should be well paid for his service he answered Go and God go with you but none of my people shall go for it would bring upon us evil We were shown the mouth of the ravine after some persuasion but no argument or inducement could procure a guide to the mine

Don Vincente like all the Mission Indians of California I found to be strongly imbued with the superstitions of the wild tribes and a firm believer in the power of human departed spirits to harm the living Many like those of the east believed that the wizards or sorcerers could put a spell upon a victim that if not disenchanted would soon carry him to his grave

Leaving our extra animals in the care of Vincente we took our course towards the mouth of the ravine pointed out to us southwest of the Tejon After a tedious and difficult 266 search a discovery of some float mineral was made and following up these indications we found some very rude furnaces and a long distance above discovered the mine which had evidently been abandoned for years We procured some of the best specimens of the ore and being unable to determine its value forwarded some to assayers in San Francisco Doctor Bigelow pronounced the mineral to be that of mony but said that it might possibly contain some of the precious metals but it was quite evident that he placed but little commercial value upon the mine The reports finally received from the assayers were very unfavorable and our visions of untold wealth vanished with the smoke of the assay

On our return from the exploration of the Silver Mine we carefully concealed our discovery from Vincente and his people and avoided exciting their curiosity Our animals were rested and in an improved condition for the grass was rich and abundant Don Vincente was as much delighted with our presents of tobacco and trinkets which we had carried with us for such occasions as any of the Gentile nations would have been We took our departure from the hospitalities of the Mission Chief without having had any occurrence to divert the mutually friendly feelings that had been fostered in our intercourse We had designed on starting from the rancheria of Don Vincente to leave the direct trail to Mariposa and explore the lake region of the Tulare valley Unfortunately for the success of this undertaking we made our first camp too near the marshy shore of Kern Lake We had selected the camp ground for the convenience of water and fresh grass for our animals but as night closed in the mosquitoes swarmed from the surrounding territory making such vigorous charges upon us and our animals that we were forced to retreat from their persistent attacks and take refuge on the 267 high land away from the vicinity of the Tule or Bull marshes Having no desire to continue the acquaintance of the inhabitants who had thronged to welcome our approach our ambition for making further exploration was so much weakened that we silently permitted our mules to take their course towards the direct trail Col Henderson declared that the mosquitoes on these lakes were larger more numerous and in greater variety than in the swamps of Louisiana and Doctor Bigelow said that hitherto he had rather prided himself as a Michigander on the earnest character of those of Michigan but that in future he should be willing to accept as a standard of all the possibilities of mosquito growth those that had reluctantly parted with us at Kern Lake Keeping the rich alluvial low lands on our left we crossed a strip of alkali plain through which our animals floundered as if in an ash heap This Henderson designated as a dry bog Deviating still farther to the right to avoid this an old trail was struck either Indian or animal which led us into the main trail usually traveled up and down the valley At the crossing of one of the numerous mountain streams we found a good camping place on a beautiful table overlooking this rich territory where we would be secure from the assaults of enemies

After a refreshing bath in the cool waters of the stream we slept the sleep of the blessed and mosquitoes once more became to us unknown objects of torture The next morning we found ourselves refreshed and buoyant

Our animals like ourselves seemed to feel in elevated spirits and as we vaulted into our saddles at an early hour they moved rapidly along in the cool and bracing air As we rode drove after drove of antelope and elk were seen and one small band of mustangs approached from the west when after vainly neighing to our mules they turned and galloped back toward their favo resort the west side of 268 the valley Sometimes with a halting look of scy a coyote would cross our trail but their near vicinity was always recognized by our vigilant mules with a snort and pause in their gait that was probably designed to intimate to us that it might be another bear We beguiled the time in discussing the amazing fertility of the country we were traversing and the probability of its future occupancy At the present time thriving cities and immense wheat fields occupy localities where in 1851 game and wild mustangs roamed almost undisturbed by the white mans tread or the flash or gleam of his unerring rifle There is still room for the enterprising settler and the upper end of the San Joaquin Valley may yet be called the sportsmans paradise The lakes and streams swarm with fish and are the resort of waterfowl and deer elk and antelope are still plentiful in secluded localities

We reached the Fresno in safety without interrupting incidents and without further attempt at exploration Colonel Henderson Doctor Bigelow and his companion du voyage after a short halt passed on to Quartzberg while I stopped over to make my report to the Major To my extreme surprise Major Savage questioned me as to the cause of my tardiness saying he had been expecting me for two or three days past and that the cattle were now within the valley and would in a short time be at the reservation After sufficiently enjoying my astonishment at his knowledge of my movements and those of Fremonts herders he informed the that his old power and influence over the Indians had been reestablished and that reports came to him from the different chiefs of all important events transpiring in their territory He soon satisfied me that through a judicious distribution of presents to the runners and the esteem in which he was held by the chiefs he was able to watch the proceedings of strangers for every movement of 269 our party had been reported to him in detail I was cordially received by the Major as a guest in his new trading house which he had erected during our absence We discussed the probable future of the management of Indian affairs in California and the incidents of my trip to Los Angelos The Major informed me that the battalion had been mustered out of service during my absence on July 25th 1851 but that my interests had been properly represented and cared for as far as he had been able to act without my presence But in order to receive compensation as interpreter and for extra medical services it was discovered that separate accounts and vouchers would be required which he and Captain Boling would at any time certify The major then informed me that he had made his arrangements to recommence his trading operations on as large a scale as might be required That he could make more as a trader than as an employe of government and at the same time be free from their cares and anxieties He advised me to take a subordinate position until I should be able to decide upon a better location He said he could make my position a profitable one if I desired to remain with him

The major gave me a general insight into his future plans and some of the sources of his expected profits After this conversation I gave up all idea of establishing at the Tejon or any where else as a government trader Having been so long absent from my private business which I had left under the management of a partner I made this a sufficient excuse for my departure the next morning and for my inability to accept the majors kindly offer As I was leaving the major said I was in hopes to have secured your services and still think you may change your mind If you do ride over at once and you will find a place open for you

This confidence and friendship I felt demanded some return 270 and I frankly said Major Savage you are surrounded by combinations that I dont like Sharp men are endeavoring to use you as a tool to work their gold mine Beside this you have hangerson here that are capable of cutting your throat Contrary to my expectation the Major was not in the least offended at my frankness on the contrary he thanked me for my interest