ere around us, bearing red
and yellow fruit in abundance. We plucked the pears of the pita-haya,
and ate them greedily; in short, we dined on fruits and vegetables of
many varieties, indigenous only to this wild region. But our stomachs
longed for the favorite food, and we pushed on through the openings. We
had ridden about an hour among the chaparral, when Harding, who was
riding in advance, pointed downward, and intimated by signs that he had
struck fresh buffalo tracks. Very soon after the animals came in view,
and by using the bushes as cover, we made a very effectual "surround,"
killing some three or four. That night we regaled ourselves on buffalo,
and the following morning pushed on with renewed vigor, and in the best
of spirits.

Near evening on the fourth day following, we arrived at the foot of the
Sierra; and directly in front of us, about midway up the valley, or
pass, more properly speaking, lay the Apache village. An exclamation of
joy escaped my lips. At last, then, the hopes and longings of nine weary
years were about to be satisfied. My reflections were abruptly
terminated by Harding remarking that it was highly important that we
seek cover and approach the village cautiously, if we expected our
efforts to be crowned with success. All felt the justness of this
observation, and seeking the cover of the mountain, we proceeded on our
journey. In a short time we had advanced as near as we deemed it
prudent, until the night should close in. Our reins were tightened, and
we sat on our weary horses, looking over the plain. A magnificent
panorama under any circumstances lay before us; but its interest was
heightened by the peculiar circumstances under which we viewed it. The
lodges were dotted over the plain in picturesque profusion, the smoke
curling gracefully up in their dreamy spirals. One lodge stood apart,
and from its size and decorations, we at once guessed it to be the abode
of the chief. Harding confirmed our conjectures. Several droves of
horses were quietly browsing on the open prairie. The sun was setting.
The mountains were tinged with an amber colored light; and the quartz
crystals sparkled on the peaks of the southern Sierras. It was a scene
of silent beauty.

We remained for some time gazing up the valley, without any one uttering
his thoughts. It was the silence that precedes resolve. An hour has
fled; the sun sinks below the horizon, and the mountains take on a
sombre hue. It is night. We u