Crusoe's island . arty had in-creased to five; but as each had to purchase a knife, tincup, pound of cheese, or some other article of luxury, itwas ten oclock before we got fairly under way. Andhere I must say that, although our appearance as wepassed along the main street of Placerville elicited nohigher token of admiration than Go it, Washoe! sucha party, habited and accoutred as we were, would havemade a profound sensation in Hyde Park, London, oreven on Broadway, New York. The road was in good condition, barring a little mudin the neighborhood of Hangtown ; and the day wasexceedingly brigh
Crusoe's island . arty had in-creased to five; but as each had to purchase a knife, tincup, pound of cheese, or some other article of luxury, itwas ten oclock before we got fairly under way. Andhere I must say that, although our appearance as wepassed along the main street of Placerville elicited nohigher token of admiration than Go it, Washoe! sucha party, habited and accoutred as we were, would havemade a profound sensation in Hyde Park, London, oreven on Broadway, New York. The road was in good condition, barring a little mudin the neighborhood of Hangtown ; and the day wasexceedingly bright and pleasant. As I ascended thefirst considerable elevation in the succession of heightswhich extend all the way for a distance of fifty miles tothe summit of the Sierra Nevada, and cast a look backover the foot-hills, a more glorious scene of gigantic for-ests, open valleys, and winding streams seldom greetedmy vision. The air was singularly pure and bracing;every draught of it was equal to a glass of sparkling. 330 A PEEP AT WASHOE. Cha^fcagne. At intervals, varying from fifty yards tohalf a mile, streams of water of crystal clearness and icycoolness burst from the mountain sides, making a pleas-ant music as they crossed the road. Whether the daywas uncommonly warm, or the exercise rather heating,or the packs very heavy, it was beyond doubt some ofthe party were afflicted with a chronic thirst, for theystopped to drink at every spring and rivulet on the way,giving rise to a suspicion in my mind that they had notbeen much accustomed to that wholesome beverage oflate. This suspicion was strengthened by a mysteriouscircumstance. I had lagged behind at a turn of theroad to adjust my pack, when I was approached by theunique personage whose head in the doorway had start-led me the night before. I say, Cap! At the same time pulling from thefolds of his blanket a dangerous-looking pocket pistol,he put the muzzle to his mouth, and discharged the mainportion of the contents down his
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