rom Merced, I altered my course slightly with the
intention of striking Bear Creek; about one or two miles below town;
but losing my reckoning, I reached the creek about five hundred yards
from the bridge.

It was now near daylight, and the fog was impenetrable to the eye, or
at least all objects moving in it at a greater distance than fifty
yards. Having reached the creek, and put on my shoes (having walked
all the way from the Half-Way House in my stocking feet), I proceeded
up. By daylight I was opposite the County Hospital Farm, situated
northeast of town. I cautiously passed beyond it, and as there was a
road running on each side of the creek at this point, I scrambled up
its banks and struck out toward the foot-hills, knowing that I would
not be apt to encounter the mob off from a road, within a circle of
five miles from Merced. I commenced to walk around a section of land
which was marked by a furrow, and which I think belonged to Upton. I
had to keep walking to keep from freezing.

I was now about two miles from the Hospital grounds the hour about
nine o'clock A. M., and up to this time I had only halted once, then
for only a second to put on my shoes. I was sick, tired, thirsty, and
commenced to feel hungry. I sat down for awhile to rest. I was very
weak and emaciated from a severe attack of bloody flux, from which I
had suffered several days prior to the shooting, and which continued
during the first two days of my wandering. My mouth was dry and
parched; there was no water to be seen; I looked at the grass; the fog
had made it damp; I will try to suck the dampness I thought; as I was
preparing to do so, to my horror I discovered that my jaws were
locked. I had doubtless clasped them firmly the night before,
determined to escape, and in my eagerness had not opened my mouth; and
that, together with the cold and thirst, had fastened them vise-like.
I rubbed and worked nervously for several minutes; then I bethought me
of my printer rule which was luckily in my vest pocket. With this I
succeeded in prying my jaws apart, and with a few crumbs of tobacco
which I found in my pants' pocket, I found relief. I then resumed my
walk; would walk around the section and return to my starting point;
alternately walking a mile and resting for a half hour, thus I passed
some three hours.

About noon the fog exhibited indications of clearing off, and I
thought it best to hunt the shelter of some friendly creek, for the
doub