s to proceed over the mountains, and then, when we are able, return
again."

"In doing this," said Cole, "we can reach Mr. Duncan's camp, if still
where you left him, which I think he is, before midsummer, and then he
will be able to reach you at the nearest settlement by the time frost
again comes. I am willing to accompany the chief, while Jones can guide
you in safety over the Sierra before you."

Selecting two of the best horses for the use of Whirlwind and Cole,
they took leave of them, charging them with a multitude of messages for
their friends, and when they started on the homeward route, they too
moved on towards the mountain before them, whose snow-crested head
loomed up among the clouds. At noon our wanderers halted at the spot
they retreated from when they went into their winter quarters, and
after resting, began to climb the rugged ascent, Jones leading the way;
and, save an occasional path beaten by the denizens of the forest,
their only landmark was the blazed trees.[14] Jones had been over the
ground before, and as his memory was very tenacious, he saved them from
much anxiety, and often from danger, as well as unnecessary fatigue.
Their progress was necessarily slow and painful, but they were still
brave at heart, and bore it in silence. At night they halted by the
side of a beautiful lake, around which the hills curved gracefully,
forming a natural basin, which held the transparent waters against the
side of the mountain. Its banks were richly covered with grass, and
shaded by aspens which, with the rugged peaks of the mountains that
towered above, gave it a sylvan appearance.

[14] Bark cut off from trees to indicate a certain course through
the forests. It is a very common practice among the pioneers of
the West.

Numerous flocks of ducks were seen on the surface of the lake, and some
of them contributed to the supper of the travellers, whose appetites,
sharpened by the mountain air, relished their delicious flavor.
Following down this lake the next morning for nearly half a mile, they
passed round it, and commenced the ascent of the range above them.
Innumerable springs dotted the trail on either side, while shrubs and
the earliest spring flowers hung and overrun every crevice in the rocks
around them. The scenery was wilder here than any they had met with
before in all their wanderings. Their path led them often between
stupendous, curious looking rocks, which rose on either s