the first time in several hundred miles.

JULY 25.

Went up river twelve miles, then from it for fifteen miles over a high
desert country. Valley of river narrow and well timbered. Distance,
twenty-seven miles.

JULY 26.

Left the river and went twenty-six miles before we came near it again.
Country barren and broken.

JULY 27.

Went up river eight miles, then left it for twelve. Road mountainous,
with a little cedar. Distance, twenty miles.

JULY 28.

By river one mile, from it five, then up the valley remainder of the
day. Valley wide--numerous mountain streams, fine grass and fine
flowers. A high mountain on our right. Snow on some of the peaks. Nights
cool. Past trading post. Provisions from a dollar to two dollars per
pound. Packers and foot men rushing for the diggings. Distance,
twenty-one miles.

JULY 29.

Up the valley twelve miles, then through a canyon six, then in camp two
miles beyond; canyon rocky and ascending and full of timber. High
mountains all around us. Distance, twenty miles.

JULY 30.

To dividing range of mountains, with Red Lake at foot, five miles. Over
this range and down to another lake, six miles. Over Snow Mountain to
Rock Valley, ten miles. (Through snow two miles.) Road over continual
rocks; snow in places, and timber. Cool day and freezing at night. On
the mountain, amid the melting snows, were flowers of the most brilliant
colors, and the road passed for many miles among gigantic pines.
Distance, twenty-one miles.

JULY 31.

Went fifteen miles to Leak [Leap (?)] Spring Valley. Country mountainous
and well timbered.

AUGUST 1.

Went seventeen miles to the junction of the Weaver and Hangtown roads.
No grass and but little water on the road in this distance. Road bad.

AUGUST 2.

Went seventeen miles to Pleasant Valley, in the vicinity of Ringgold and
Weaver. Here the country begins to look like California--canvas houses,
hot weather, dry, reddish soil. This day's travel I consider the
conclusion of a journey, a longer or more tedious than which is not
often performed on this earth.

"The heart rebounds with long forgotten fleetness" at the thought of
having performed it. The interminable wastes are passed over, the
wilderness of wild sage and ashes is behind me, and climbing a hundred
mountains will no longer tire my feet. This act is ended, and now for a
struggle for gold and then

"Oh! for a falcon's wing to bear,
To bear me to my