as also interested in woolen manufacture,
especially of blankets, equal to any in the world. When I knew
him in Ohio, he and his brother were the owners, by inheritance,
of a large and valuable farm in Licking county. When gold was
discovered in California, Hollister sold to his brother one-half
of the farm, and with the proceeds purchased a large flock of the
best Ohio sheep, and drove them to California, taking two years
for the journey. He was fond of telling his adventures, and proud
of his success. He died a few years since in California, but
whether his good fortune followed him to the close of his life I
do not know. He was very kind to our party and accompanied us to
San Diego.

From San Francisco we made a trip to the Mariposa Grove, and the
Yosemite valley. We traveled by rail to a small station nearest
the grove. Then by stage we rode to the terminus of the line.
From there we went but a short distance to the grove. This majestic
survivor of the forest has been so often been described that details
are not necessary. We measured the trees, and rode on horseback
nearly one hundred feet through one of the fallen monsters. We
also attempted to form a ring with hands and arms extended around
one of these trees, but our party was not numerous enough to encircle
it. I felt a sense of insignificance when I realized the long life
of some of these trees, estimated to span forty generations of men,
and still in health and strength. We returned to the stage station
and again mounted our horses and mules for the perilous adventure
of a descent into the Yosemite valley. It so happened that Mr.
Bell, the keeper of the station, was a former resident of Bellville,
in Richland county, Ohio, in which I live. He knew me well, and
his wife I knew as the daughter of a leading farmer of that county.
I thought I might utilize this acquaintance by asking him to see
that I was well mounted to descend to the valley. Much to my
surprise a spirited horse, well accoutered, was brought out for
Colonel Scott, and a shaggy short-legged mule, with a California
saddle and a common but stout bridle, was brought out for me. I
felt that Bell had disregarded the obligation of "auld acquaintance,"
but said nothing.

My mount started at the heels of the cavalcade in a steady walk,
but I noticed he was sure-footed, and that, at the end of two or
three weary hours, he had passed most of the party and soon after
was close in the wak