ing branches, will be the water's prey! They enter the stream. Oh
how cold the water is! They reach the middle; her grasp is tighter, and
she holds her breath with fear, for they are drifting with the current
past where Jacob stands! But joy comes at last. They have crossed the
river. There stands the pony, shaking the water from his sides. The
Indian takes his dollar with a grunt of satisfaction, and Jacob catches
up the little girl, mounts his horse, and hurries off to grandpa's,
where grandma, Leanna, and Georgia are waiting to give her a warm
welcome.

Months passed pleasantly, but gradually changes occurred. The war with
Mexico ended, and gold was discovered. All the men who were able to go,
hurried off to the mines to make a fortune. The little girls gave up
their plays, for grandma was not able to do all the work, and grandpa
and Jacob were away. They spent seven years with Mr. and Mrs. Brunner,
They were kindly treated, but their education was neglected. In 1854,
their eldest sister, Elitha, and her husband, came to Sonoma, and
offered them a home and an opportunity of attending school. This kind
offer was accepted. For six years Eliza remained in Sacramento, in
the family of her sister, Elitha. To her she was indebted for the
opportunity she enjoyed of attending, for one year, with her sister
Frances and afterwards Georgia, St. Catherine's Academy, at Benicia, and
the public schools of Sacramento.

Elitha C. Donner married Perry McCoon, who was subsequently killed by a
runaway horse. On the eighth of December, 1853, Mrs. McCoon was married
to Benj. W. Wilder. They reside on the Cosumnes River, a few miles from
Elk Grove, Sacramento County, Cal., and have six children. Leanna C.
Donner was married September 26, 1852, to John App. They now reside in
Jamestown, Tuolumne County, Cal., and their family consists of Rebecca
E., born February 9, 1854; John Q., born January 19, 1864; and Lucy E.,
born August 12, 1868, who reside with their parents.

Frances E. Donner was married November 24, 1858, to William R. Wilder,
and now resides at Point of Timber, Contra Costa County, Cal. Their
children are: Harriet, born August 24, 1859; James William, born May 30,
1863; Frances Lillian, born July 17, 1867; Asaph, born May 7, 1870;
and Susan Tamsen, born September 3, 1878. Georgia A. Donner was married
November 4, 1863, to W. A. Babcock. Their family consists of Henry A.,
born August 23, 1864; Frank B., born June 29, 1866; an