Gold Rush Era Letters

and assisted in rowing the boat, which I found hard work. Crossed over on Eastern Slept for the first time out of the United States.

Wednesday 2 -- last night the weather portended rain Dean being sick I stood guard in his place. lay down at 1 A. M. at 3 1/2 oclock [o'clock]. Bilison awakened me by shouting in ear that we were being overflowed I started up and found it pouring down rain and the water running all over the bottom of the tent we got up and "coved" it on a log for the balance of the night at 7 Oclock [O'clock] we moved out to our present encampment about 8 miles from the river upon one of the most beautiful creeks I ever beheld the water is very cold and pleasant where we have plenty of grass for our mules. The weather today has been warm & cloudy. Friday 3 -- remained in camp occupying ourselves with fixing up. 4 -- still in camp unloading & loading up the wagons making boxes, emptying barrels Mr. Parkman of Company 2 found a bee tree this evening which some of the boy went out and cut and got a good supply of Honey which went fine. Saturday 5 -- Today I went into town and bought some articles for the Co. found the road very bad in the bottom. Timber in the bottom is of the very best description consisting in part of 2 or 3 varieties of Hickory 4 varieties of Ash Hackberry, Cotton-Wood Locust, walnut, Iron wood & coffer nut & box Elder the ground is covered with the best of grass and rushes for stock this is a fine country and as soon as the government shall become the owner of it, it will become alive as if by magic with a busy people. Sunday 6 -- today I took a walk out to the road about a mile from camp, and saw a great many teams passing by amongst the rest was little Bill Duncen of Bloomington & Dr. Luster. there are a great many going with magnificent teams for the trip. Today we had something of a "stampede"