urvey between my town and this, and connect the
two; and maybe soon they will be one. Lieutenant Davidson, of the
Army--he is surveying my town now, for fine streets and big lots."

"Davidson? Lieutenant J. W. Davidson, I suppose," remarked Charley's
father; and Captain Sutter nodded. "He was with General Kearny in that
overland march with the First Dragoons, from Santa Fe to San Diego, in
the summer of Forty-six, when the Army was sent to capture California."

"Yes, sir," answered the captain. "But my friend Fremont and Kit
Carson and Mr. Grigsby, here, and the American settlers, they got in
ahead of the United States Army. Still, we needed the Army, like we
needed the Navy; and we need them still. It is another of General
Kearny's officers, Lieutenant John Warner, who surveyed this Sacramento
City. A brave man, a very brave man. Three lance wounds he got, in
the battle of San Pasqual, when the Californians would have prevented
the Army from entering to San Diego. He is now already far up in the
Sierra Nevada, at the head of the Feather River, surveying for a
railroad route, I hear. Think, gentlemen! Soon a railroad, maybe!"

Captain Sutter had led the way to a rude hut of woven grass walls and
thatch roof, on the outskirts of the town. Here he halted, and called:

"Ho, Pedro! Amigo (friend)!"

An Indian came out. Yes, an Indian--but different from the Indians
whom Charley had seen in Missouri. He was squatty, dark and wrinkled,
his hair cut short, and cotton shirt and trousers as his clothes. The
captain spoke to him in Spanish. Pedro listened, and with a nod,
turning, made off at a trot. In a moment he came back, leading from a
shed among a clump of trees a small donkey.

"A burro, 'pon my word!" exclaimed Mr. Adams. "I haven't seen a donkey
like that out of Mexico!"

"It is the best Pedro has," explained the captain. "These gold seekers
so crazy they have robbed him, because they think he is nothing but an
Indian. There will be troubles with my Indians, if the whites do not
treat them better. Anyway, gentlemen, this animal is not so small as
his size. He will carry all you put aboard him, and Pedro will sell
him for twenty-five dollar, since you are friends of mine. Otherwise,
he would not sell him at all."

"Good," said Mr. Adams. "Bueno," he added, so that Pedro might
understand. "We'll take him, and glad of it."

So they bought the burro (a funny little creature with shaggy head