in a retired corner of the
crowded gambling-room, Ned and Tom proceeded to discuss their present
prospects and future plans in a frame of mind that was by no means
enviable. They were several hundreds of miles distant from the scene of
their first home at the diggings, without a dollar in their pockets, and
only a horse between them. With the exception of the clothes on their
backs, and Ned's portfolio of drawing materials, which he always carried
slung across his shoulder, they had nothing else in the world. Their
first and most urgent necessity was supper, in order to procure which it
behoved them to sell Tom's horse. This was easily done, as, on
application to the landlord, they were directed to a trader who was on
the point of setting out on an expedition to Sacramento city, and who
readily purchased the horse for less than half its value.

Being thus put in possession of funds sufficient at least for a few
days, they sat down to supper with relieved minds, and afterwards went
out to stroll about the settlement, and take a look at the various
diggings. The miners here worked chiefly at the bars or sand-banks
thrown up in various places by the river which coursed through their
valley; but the labour was severe, and the return not sufficient to
attract impatient and sanguine miners, although quite remunerative
enough to those who wrought with steady perseverance. The district had
been well worked, and many of the miners were out prospecting for new
fields of labour. A few companies had been formed, and these, by united
action and with the aid of long-toms, were well rewarded, but single
diggers and pan-washers were beginning to become disheartened.

"Our prospects are not bright," observed Tom, sitting down on a rock
close to the hut of a Yankee who was delving busily in a hole hard by.

"True," answered Ned, "in one sense they are not bright, but in another
sense they are, for I never yet, in all my travels, beheld so beautiful
and bright a prospect of land and water as we have from this spot. Just
look at it, Tom; forget your golden dreams for a little, if you can, and
look abroad upon the splendid face of nature."

Ned's eye brightened as he spoke, for his love and admiration of the
beauties and charms of nature amounted almost to a passion. Tom, also,
was a sincere admirer of lovely, and especially of wild, scenery,
although he did not express his feelings so enthusiastically.

"Have you got your colo